I got another reminder to pay my dues and paid right away this time instead of doing it later. Noticed I hadn't been here since I joined my old company a long time ago. The old company blocked the site because it didn't know what it was (but the CGC board was fine).

I would say that i've been busy but thats just a lie. I honestly did about two weeks of real work at my old job so I was bored to tears and didn't know what to do when I got home. I switched companies a few weeks ago so I actually have work to do.

So, lets get this back on topic... I'm starting to slow down on comics. I haven't bought any current books since December at least. Currently I'm putting a moratorium on spending so that I have something to spend at the Baltimore convention. I'm kind of torn as to what to do. There is part of me that wants to do some kind of commission but that would cut into my book buying. Gotta figure out what I'm gonna do.

Glad to see everyone here. Gotta get back into the habit of checking here as part of my Interneting.

Good to see you back, Wes!

What kind of commission are you thinking about?

I was thinking about getting Chrissie Zullo to do a Black Cat piece for me. I need to send her a message and see what her rates are. My biggest problem with commissions and cons is that I only bring around $500 so a commission can take a big chunk of that depending on who it is. I like getting art but I also have a good bit of books that I still want to get.

Oh the woes of being a collector on a budget.

+1

Welcome back!

Depending on the arts you're shooting for (big name or not), I'd think you could land a decent commission within the 150-250 range, and you'd still have plenty of money left for funny books.

Yeah that is my plan. I think if I can stay within that budget I will be Ok. I think the year I did a sketch cover and one of Matt Wagner's small pieces and blew all but $60. I ended up feeling like I was missing out on stuff. I got thsoe great pieces but didn't get a "big" comic that year.

I think if I can stay on the lower end of things I'll be good to go.

I have noticed that I have almost completly stopped hanging out in lines to get stuff signed anymore. I think the J. Scott Campbel line broke me of that. That and the ability to get CGC SS books pretty easily. So now I'm more liable to be pretty quick while I'm there. So I don't know if I'll get there first thing and line up at the door.

Kind of interesting how things have changed over the years for me.

It's good to see you posting!

Thanks Mike! It is a lot nicer over here... compared to the train wreck that the CGC boards can be.

Hey Wes! How's the spidey collection going? I feel your pain when it comes to commissions (I'm into the Sketch Covers lately). I'm currently waiting very impatiently on a Joe Chiodo Black Widow. I suspect I won't see it for awhile but I can't wait to see it. Good hunting at the con and if you don't mind take some pics to share here.

The Spideys are coming along slowly.. I think i've got 6 or so more books to complete my McFarlane Slab set. #300 is gonna be the big one to do. Good thing is that I always see one for sale so it won't be hard to find. I had a little detour looking for some of the 1st appearance of Death's Head

I love the sketch covers too. I'm waiting on a Phoenix sketch cover from Sara Richard. I will be my 5th book from her. I bet that Chiodo cover will be great.

I will look forward to seeing it.