Covers -- Pros and Cons 1 1

[Rick2you2]

Uh, folks, they are still covers. For those who want to display art, as compared to studying it, they generally give more bang for the buck. And, this is from someone who loves his panel pages—mostly to study them. 

[exitmusicblue]

The reality remains -- if you give a collector the choice between receiving the cover or a splash of a given pre-Modern issue, 9 times out of 10 the cover will win. 

Hell, one could then turn around to sell the cover and use the proceeds on the splash + other things.

Though sea changes ain't happening, I appreciate the perspectives herein nonetheless.  

[PhilipB2k17]

Some modern covers are pretty nice, and obviously are covers. Usually, those are signed by the artist. 

[GotSuperPowers?]

Would you rather...

Have 5 pages by an A list artist

Or

1 cover by that same A list artist for an A list title?

Essentially, if you could "trade up" pages for a cover, what would be the magic number?

[BCarter27]

29 minutes ago, GotSuperPowers? said:

Would you rather...

Have 5 pages by an A list artist

Or

1 cover by that same A list artist for an A list title?

Essentially, if you could "trade up" pages for a cover, what would be the magic number?

I couldn't tell you in a vacuum. But monetarily, in most cases, I think you have to take the cover. Values aside, I think I'd enjoy having all of the pages more.

[vodou]

33 minutes ago, GotSuperPowers? said:

Would you rather...

Have 5 pages by an A list artist

Or

1 cover by that same A list artist for an A list title?

Essentially, if you could "trade up" pages for a cover, what would be the magic number?

For aesthetics not future speculation plays: it would depend on whether the artist is more of a pin-up or sequential "artist" (imo, not other collectors, not "the market").

Examples:

1. Jim Lee - 1 cover.

2. Steve Ditko - 5 pages (especially if consecutive!)

[ESeffinga]

Or the title.

Watchmen, for instance.

[Rick2you2]

2 hours ago, vodou said:

For aesthetics not future speculation plays: it would depend on whether the artist is more of a pin-up or sequential "artist" (imo, not other collectors, not "the market").

Examples:

1. Jim Lee - 1 cover.

2. Steve Ditko - 5 pages (especially if consecutive!)

How would you view Neil Adams? Frankly, I think his sequential work is outstanding; he had a major impact on the way stories are paced. But, his covers can be magnificent.

 

[vodou]

52 minutes ago, Rick2you2 said:

How would you view Neil Adams? Frankly, I think his sequential work is outstanding; he had a major impact on the way stories are paced. But, his covers can be magnificent.

 

For me: I'd prefer panels but "for eventual re-sale": cover.

[Nexus]

 

On 10/22/2019 at 10:50 AM, GotSuperPowers? said:

Would you rather...

Have 5 pages by an A list artist

Or

1 cover by that same A list artist for an A list title?

Essentially, if you could "trade up" pages for a cover, what would be the magic number?

It depends on relative quality. I'd take a single A page over a B cover for my collection all day long.

OTOH, I'd take a single B cover over 20 C pages.

(For certain artists, though, there are no C pages.)

[Brian Peck]

On 10/22/2019 at 7:50 AM, GotSuperPowers? said:

Would you rather...

Have 5 pages by an A list artist

Or

1 cover by that same A list artist for an A list title?

Essentially, if you could "trade up" pages for a cover, what would be the magic number?

Depends on the content.

If it was 5 consecutive pages from a story I really love like God Loves Man Kills or Kraven's Last Hunt. I would take them over a cover by the same artist,

[Panelfan1]

On 10/22/2019 at 10:50 AM, GotSuperPowers? said:

Would you rather...

Have 5 pages by an A list artist

Or

1 cover by that same A list artist for an A list title?

Essentially, if you could "trade up" pages for a cover, what would be the magic number?

I would always buy the best example I could afford.you cant choose what art shows up when - but as I try and not hoard - I go for the best example I can.  Quality o error quantity. Page or cover doesn't matter.

[Stefanomjr]

On 10/22/2019 at 10:50 AM, GotSuperPowers? said:

Would you rather...

Have 5 pages by an A list artist

Or

1 cover by that same A list artist for an A list title?

Essentially, if you could "trade up" pages for a cover, what would be the magic number?

Im a firm believer in quality over quantity.  I'd rather have an A+ example over 5 B+ examples.  So one might think I'd go with a more desirable cover (especially when thinking resale value). However,  sequential storytelling is hard.  All things being equal,  I'd probably take 5 pages of well paced,  well structured storytelling, and if there is a sweet splash page in there... win/ win!

Edited October 29, 2019 by Stefanomjr

[jjonahjameson11]

Everyone knows the answer to this question

1 mediocre Sal Buscema cover > 5 sequential interiors by Kirby or Ditko or Bolland or Romita Sr or Steranko or , well, anyone!

[Terry E. Gibbs]

I don't think we can have hard and fast rules, as it is a very individual thing. From a nostalgia point of view there is some stuff that I think "whatever it takes just keep hitting the red button".  Other times I put in a bid and go to bed. I still read and buy comics and still upgrade my collection so I am not so much an art collector but a comic collector who loves to see his stories come alive the way the artist intended. Honestly though for the characters and artists I chase a Silver age cover may have me following it but by the last day of a HA major auction I will just be getting the coffee ready (I am in OZ so very early in the morning). I am however enjoying seeing the other perspectives from collectors who are more into pure art than I.