JotCast | Felix Comic Art Chat (4/13/18)

Felix Comic Art Chat (4/13/18)

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Discussion Board

Felix Lu

10:34

Thanks for joining the latest Felix Comic Art chat!

10:35

I'm running a little late due to the Daniel Warren Johnson art drop, so we'll start this around 11AM. Thanks for your patience, talk soon!

human

11:13

is there going to be more Akira or did that already come and go?

Felix Lu

11:13

Hi Human (post with your name so we know who you are!)

11:14

You did not miss the AKIRA sale. It's coming. SOON. If you haven't done so already, please sign up for the mailing list on the site to get the notification. Over 200 new guides, plus for the first time ever, actual color pieces from Otomo himself. Good luck!

human

11:16

awesome, thank you!

Matt Todd

11:19

Felix, a question I have wanted to ask for a while and it's one that I think would be interesting to pose to a roundtable. If you could make any changes to the OA collecting hobby that would improve and benefit the hobby as a whole what would they be? Are there changes that need to be made to the hobby so that it will continue to thrive? I know people are making money and prices are going up up up, but is that good for the hobby? Are corrections necessary?

Felix Lu

11:20

Wow...breaking out the big guns early!

11:21

A lot to unpack...I'll try to answer for now.

11:25

Q: If you could make any changes to the OA collecting hobby that would improve and benefit the hobby as a whole what would they be? A: Make it less insular. Try to encourage as many new collectors as possible. I know a lot of old-timers prefer to keep the hobby small, primarily to limit competition (and keep values from climbing due to corresponding demand). But we'll just end up eating our own tail if we don't bring in new blood.

11:29

Q: Are there changes that need to be made to the hobby so that it will continue to thrive? A: More professionalism from sellers AND buyers. Including artists. It's related to my answer above. If someone's first experience in this hobby is poor, because a seller/dealer/rep's performance is substandard, then that may sour them on the hobby for good. Which would be counterproductive to encouraging new fans/collectors!

11:33

Q: I know people are making money and prices are going up up up, but is that good for the hobby? A: TBD. I'm always wary of short term gain, with no consideration to long term health. When too many are into this for a quick buck...that's no bueno.

11:34

Q: Are corrections necessary? A: Not necessary per se...but wouldn't be a bad thing, either. IMO. Mostly to shake out the quick buck guys.

Nima

11:34

Hi Felix, can you please let me know what size the Akira Colour Guides are at? And what is the exact format, i.e. Is it painted onto a black and white copy of Otomo's art?

Felix Lu

11:34

Hi Nima!

11:37

I was typing out my answer just now, and realized it be easier to cut/paste from previous newsletter...so here you go:

For those who are new this time, here's the background on these guides: Steve Oliff is a comic book colorist who has worked in the industry since 1978. His company, Olyoptics, was the first to use computers to do color separation. In 1989, Steve was personally selected by AKIRA creator Katsuhiro Otomo to color the seminal work. Steve and Otomo-san worked side-by-side at Steve's studio in Point Arena, CA to develop the color scheme that would be used throughout the series. The guides were printed at Otomo-san's studio in Japan on 10"X14" heavy-stock artist's paper and then sent to Steve, where he hand-painted them using some combination of airbrush, felt pens, gouache, cel animation paint, colored pencil, Pantone film and more! These are not your typical color guides; each piece presents beautifully as its own work of art and is suitable for framing (although as with all colored art, best to keep out of direct light). We're excited to be able to offer fans a chance to own a piece from this legendary work!

Matt Todd

11:37

Also happy Friday man, I know it's been a busy week for you guys.

Felix Lu

11:38

Thanks Matt! Every week is crazy! Not complaining at all...love it!

Matt Todd

11:38

Take your time. This is a good question but probably not the best one to wind down a Friday with.

Felix Lu

11:38

How'd I do?

Matt Todd

11:38

Excellent point regarding bringing in new blood and that is something that I feel you do very well having such a good understanding of the market and pricing art fair enough that new blood can enter the hobby.

Felix Lu

11:41

I try! The podcast, videos, ads, and these chats are all part of the same effort. Working out better than I could have imagined. I know it's been a good thing for other artists and their reps, too, to have more people become aware of original art. I have to laugh when a newbie writes me to thank me for introducing them to the hobby...and the proceeds to show me all the art he bought...from another rep! LOL!

AnthonyF

11:41

Hi Felix, congrats on another successful art drop!

Have you considered limiting the number of pieces a person can pickup during an art drop, to one?

Felix Lu

11:42

Thanks Anthony! And no, no limit for now. The way the system works sort of takes care of that. People who stock their carts rarely get everything, and frequently get nothing, because demand is great across the board. So everyone figures out sooner or later that they have to target just one piece and hope they were first.

Oscar

11:43

I think overall the way you are marketing and promoting the artists that work with you is genius. You seem to be moving a lot of art which speaks to the talent you work with as well as your ability to market those artists. Why do you think other dealers haven't caught on to doing the same? I subscribe to all their newsletters but they all seem to be lackluster in their release of art. I got one the other day where it was basically here's some new Spider man pages... and tiny thumbnails. These were pages by an incredible artist. They should have sold out instantly, but my guess is they're sitting with only one or 2 sold, As opposed to how you build up to the release. Do you think you're setting a new paradigm for Comic art dealers?

Felix Lu

11:43

Hi Oscar!

Thank you for your kind words.

11:45

There have been other sellers, including artists, who have tried to do some variation of what I do. If not exactly what I do. I'm sure there will be more.

11:48

But it's not as simple as observing what I do on the surface. There's a LOT of work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly, and everyone has as positive an experience as possible. It's takes a major investment in time, effort, capital to build that. It's not worth it for everyone to do the same.

11:50

I think anyone new will be more apt to copy. I think it's tougher for anyone who's already established to significantly modify how they do things, just from the standpoint of habit. Also, pride.

Jimmy Lawrence

11:51

Hey everyone

Felix Lu

11:52

Hey Jimmy!! Great seeing you, bud! Not sure I'll be at Heroes (50/50 at this point), so have one for
me if I don't see you this year!

Matt Todd

11:52

Thanks again for tackling a pretty dense question. I think you are completely right. Have you ever been to an original art con? If you have how do they compare to a full comic con? Is it all higher end stuff or can budget collectors find some interesting pieces.

Felix Lu

11:53

There's the NJ one that's been around for about 10 years now. I've never been. Just haven't been motivated enough to go cross-country to Jersey for a one-day show. But there will be a new one in Manhattan next month...that one, I'm thinking about. Will report via the chat if I go and let you know how it is!

AnthonyF

11:53

Thanks for recommending the Art and Craft movie, I wouldn’t have guessed that Mark Landis started with copying comic art. I find it so interesting that he doesn’t profit from his fakes. Locally we had the Gallery on Baum, run by Tony Greco. It took YEARS before the local museum and paper took notice of his store that solely dealt with his fakes, which he also sold on eBay (with 100% feedback . How do we as a hobby, educate fellow collectors to these dangers?

Felix Lu

11:55

Ugh...Gallery on Baum. So ridiculous. BUT, they were able to get away with it for as long as they did because so many buyers were so desperate and willing to believe.

11:56

So...how do you educate those who don't want to be educated? It's like this hobby's version of The Darwin Awards.

11:58

All you can do is try. Then it's up to natural selection.

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Matt Todd

6:39

You did great.

Adam Harris

6:43

Hi Felix - Looks like everyone had a great time at C2E2... since we're talking about new blood in the hobby... when you're at cons are you seeing the same people or new people picking up sketches/commissions/etc?

Jared

7:19

LOL

Matt Todd

8:20

Thanks as always Felix. These are so beneficial for not making the hobby so insular. Have a great weekend.

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