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Post by Randle-El on Oct 1, 2015 10:57:23 GMT -5
Lots more people chiming in on this topic over at Bleeding Cool, including many creators. www.bleedingcool.com/2015/09/30/charging-for-signatures-the-comic-creator-conversation-continues/www.bleedingcool.com/2015/10/01/charging-for-signatures-the-readers-of-bleeding-cool-speak/Neal Adams seems to be taking a lot of heat for his $30 signatures, and more than a few commenting that for the money, he's kind of a jerk. For what it's worth, I found him to be pleasant and enjoyable to talk with, even if I did think he was charging a lot. As much as many people think it's fine for a creator to charge for autographs if they choose to, it seems that in practice most creators are signing to for free or for donations. I think this is somewhat conflicting in that, by most creators choosing to sign for for free, it creates a fan culture where most fans will expect that as the norm, so when a creator chooses to charge even a nominal fee, they are seen as being abnormal. I think this issue of expectations is key. Comics seems to have a tradition of creators signing for free, so those that charge are viewed apprehensively by fans. Whereas celebrities normally charge (and normally a lot more than any comic creator) for their autographs, so nobody balks at their fees. I guess my question is, besides expectations, is there any reason why a celebrity is more justified in charging for their autograph than a comic creator? |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Oct 1, 2015 11:27:17 GMT -5
Lots more people chiming in on this topic over at Bleeding Cool, including many creators. www.bleedingcool.com/2015/09/30/charging-for-signatures-the-comic-creator-conversation-continues/www.bleedingcool.com/2015/10/01/charging-for-signatures-the-readers-of-bleeding-cool-speak/Neal Adams seems to be taking a lot of heat for his $30 signatures, and more than a few commenting that for the money, he's kind of a jerk. For what it's worth, I found him to be pleasant and enjoyable to talk with, even if I did think he was charging a lot. As much as many people think it's fine for a creator to charge for autographs if they choose to, it seems that in practice most creators are signing to for free or for donations. I think this is somewhat conflicting in that, by most creators choosing to sign for for free, it creates a fan culture where most fans will expect that as the norm, so when a creator chooses to charge even a nominal fee, they are seen as being abnormal. I think this issue of expectations is key. Comics seems to have a tradition of creators signing for free, so those that charge are viewed apprehensively by fans. Whereas celebrities normally charge (and normally a lot more than any comic creator) for their autographs, so nobody balks at their fees. I guess my question is, besides expectations, is there any reason why a celebrity is more justified in charging for their autograph than a comic creator? I don't go to conventions. And I'm not sure I could possibly care less about autographs. But as a general rule I would say that most celebrities are far less justified in charging for an autograph than a comic creator. Comic creators as a rule are not making big bank. And the older creators worked in a time when they struggled to make ends meet and are now pushed out of the business by the flavor of the week. While it may not be true of older celebs who are living on past glory, folks like, for example, the Supernatural dudes, make more money in a year than a lot of older creators made in a decade...or more. |
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Post by batlaw on Sept 5, 2016 23:55:36 GMT -5
Man this subject was really on my mind this comic con. I hate how inconsistent and uncomfortable the simple process of bringing in comics to a con for autographs is.
I'd love it if creators would simply put out a "tip jar" on their table or just put up a sign stating they charged for signatures. Be nice to avoid the awkwardness and hurt feelings all around. One person laughs at the thought of charging making you feel like a moron for asking, and the next goes into a lengthy diatribe about the need to charge and then you're an ass for not wanting to spend the $$.
I walk from a comic legend who didn't charge with a couple autographs and a 20$ print, to a "mid level"? Creator who wants 10$ per signature (on top of anything you might buy from him)... Um, no thanks. I appreciate your work, but no.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2016 0:44:06 GMT -5
Man this subject was really on my mind this comic con. I hate how inconsistent and uncomfortable the simple process of bringing in comics to a con for autographs is. I'd love it if creators would simply put out a "tip jar" on their table or just put up a sign stating they charged for signatures. Be nice to avoid the awkwardness and hurt feelings all around. One person laughs at the thought of charging making you feel like a moron for asking, and the next goes into a lengthy diatribe about the need to charge and then you're an ass for not wanting to spend the $$. I walk from a comic legend who didn't charge with a couple autographs and a 20$ print, to a "mid level"? Creator who wants 10$ per signature (on top of anything you might buy from him)... Um, no thanks. I appreciate your work, but no. It would be lovely if con promoters included this kind of info on websites/facebook/pages/etc. with the guest info, but it can vary from show to show. I know a few creators who do not charge if it is a comic only show (or at least first autograph is free), but do charge at shows that have large continents of guests from other media who charge for signings and photos. Knowing ahead of time would allow me to budget better and plan accordingly (so would knowing sketch prices but those can vary from show to show as well for creators depending on size/volume and other factors), so I get promoters being unable to provide this info at times, but the creators themselves should provide signage/info at the tables themselves. I usually work on the principle if they don't have signage of prices for autographs/photos and it is not in the con programs, it should be free and I shouldn't be surprised/told when I ask for the signature after having stood in line. However, with sketches, I always assume it is not free, but knowing rates ahead via signage helps a lot, especially when there is long lines to wait in. So far, I haven't had much of an issue finding out prices (with the exception of artists alley at Origins and Gen Con, but those are different animals than comic shows). -M |
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Post by Randle-El on Sept 6, 2016 15:45:50 GMT -5
Man this subject was really on my mind this comic con. I hate how inconsistent and uncomfortable the simple process of bringing in comics to a con for autographs is. I'd love it if creators would simply put out a "tip jar" on their table or just put up a sign stating they charged for signatures. Be nice to avoid the awkwardness and hurt feelings all around. One person laughs at the thought of charging making you feel like a moron for asking, and the next goes into a lengthy diatribe about the need to charge and then you're an ass for not wanting to spend the $$. I walk from a comic legend who didn't charge with a couple autographs and a 20$ print, to a "mid level"? Creator who wants 10$ per signature (on top of anything you might buy from him)... Um, no thanks. I appreciate your work, but no. It would be lovely if con promoters included this kind of info on websites/facebook/pages/etc. with the guest info, but it can vary from show to show. I know a few creators who do not charge if it is a comic only show (or at least first autograph is free), but do charge at shows that have large continents of guests from other media who charge for signings and photos. Knowing ahead of time would allow me to budget better and plan accordingly (so would knowing sketch prices but those can vary from show to show as well for creators depending on size/volume and other factors), so I get promoters being unable to provide this info at times, but the creators themselves should provide signage/info at the tables themselves. I usually work on the principle if they don't have signage of prices for autographs/photos and it is not in the con programs, it should be free and I shouldn't be surprised/told when I ask for the signature after having stood in line. However, with sketches, I always assume it is not free, but knowing rates ahead via signage helps a lot, especially when there is long lines to wait in. So far, I haven't had much of an issue finding out prices (with the exception of artists alley at Origins and Gen Con, but those are different animals than comic shows). -M There are various places on the web where people have compiled information regarding sketch and signature prices. I found this one useful: www.sketchprices.netIt bears mentioning that prices can be somewhat fluid. I've particularly noticed that artists will vary what they charge depending on the convention, so even with information gleaned from other con goers, you might be charged something different So even if you have advance intel, you shouldn't be too dependent on it. Most of the creators I've seen at conventions have been pretty good about having signage that indicates how much stuff costs. I've never gotten a signature from a creator where I've been surprised by having to pay. But I also try not to be "that guy", and I usually only bring 3-4 books to get signed at most, all personalized, no duplicates. The other thing I've noticed is that sometimes you just get lucky. At Baltimore Comic Con this year, I had Yanick Pacquette sign my Swamp Thing hardcover, and on his own he did a quick freebie sketch on the inside cover (it probably helped that I also commissioned a paid sketch). A couple years ago, I got an inked torso sketch of Spidey from Alex Saviuk for half price, as it was a commissioned piece that never got picked up. I heard other stories where people paid for one kind of sketch, and the artist just went off and did something above and beyond, like adding color or an extra figure, or a background. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2016 15:59:24 GMT -5
Yeah I had commissioned 3 torso sketches from a local artist at a show back in July, The first was for my wife's b-day present, so I paid for color etc. The second I went for color as well, the third IW as short on moeny, and just asked for a b&w sketch, but he added full color and a little bit of background to it at no charge.
I also had one former comic artist who had gone on to do studio/video game work and was getting back into comics and gaming art who I commissioned a sketch from at Origins. I asked how much and he was like, let me do the sketch and you pay me what you think it's worth...which was kind of awkward but he was happy doing the sketch and with what I paid him and I liked the full color sketch (again it was supposed to be black and white but he ended up wanting to add color for his own contentment. He was also the artist I just handed the pile of blank covers I had and said pick what you want to draw, so it was an odd experience all around. I got a really cool Thanos piece out of though.
-M
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Post by Icctrombone on Sept 6, 2016 22:12:32 GMT -5
My discretionary income is small enough that I have to carefully plan my spending at conventions. I don't mind paying a small fee for an autograph from a retired TV star or an older comics pro who doesn't work regularly anymore. I didn't even mind paying Neal Adams $.10 to sign a book a couple of years ago. And I totally understand the need to discourage the clowns who show up with stacks of comics they intend to sell on eBay the next day. But I'll be damned if I'm paying $50 for a signed picture of working actors like Clark Gregg or Katie Sackett or to get a single item signed by Stan Lee (whose hobby is collecting Rolls Royces, for crying out loud!). Greedy guests like that can bite me. Cei-U! There's a reason I call myself "The Frugal Fanboy"! I can safely say that I'm NEVER paying for an autograph. I got a book signed by Jack Kirby for nothing in the 80's. Why should a lesser person than the King charge for a signature. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2016 22:15:24 GMT -5
My discretionary income is small enough that I have to carefully plan my spending at conventions. I don't mind paying a small fee for an autograph from a retired TV star or an older comics pro who doesn't work regularly anymore. I didn't even mind paying Neal Adams $.10 to sign a book a couple of years ago. And I totally understand the need to discourage the clowns who show up with stacks of comics they intend to sell on eBay the next day. But I'll be damned if I'm paying $50 for a signed picture of working actors like Clark Gregg or Katie Sackett or to get a single item signed by Stan Lee (whose hobby is collecting Rolls Royces, for crying out loud!). Greedy guests like that can bite me. Cei-U! There's a reason I call myself "The Frugal Fanboy"! I can safely say that I'm NEVER paying for an autograph. I got a book signed by Jack Kirby for nothing in the 80's. Why should a lesser person than the King charge for a signature. Because it's not the 80s. Lots of things were given away for free in the 80s but aren't any more. Prices go up. Or should you be getting paid the same salary mail carriers were in the 80s too? It was good enough for them then why should you get more now? -M |
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Post by Icctrombone on Sept 6, 2016 22:16:54 GMT -5
It's not the 80's and I'm still not paying for an autograph.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 0:35:07 GMT -5
It's not the 80's and I'm still not paying for an autograph. Your choice and it may be the right one for you, but charging for signatures happens, it is the reality of the game now, and others choose differently. I'd have happily paid Jack for his signature, especially since everyone but Jack seemed to profit off of everything he did over the years. -M |
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Post by chadwilliam on Sept 7, 2016 20:45:34 GMT -5
William Shatner will be coming to Winnipeg at the end of next month and, I'm assuming, will once again be charging $90 for his signature (a lot more if you want it personalized). Yeah I know, William Shatner getting to meet some stranger isn't the same as some stranger getting to meet William Shatner, but if meeting some stranger is so displeasurable to you that you have to gouge them like that, well, why would anyone pay anything to be so insulted? Yeah, yeah - "no one has to buy an autograph if they don't want to" - true, but at the same time, no one has a gun to the head of the celebrity forcing them into a position that they should find uncomfortable to say the least.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 21:45:09 GMT -5
bucket list crossed off on Friday, when Art Adams (and his wife, Joyce Chin) came to Dragon*con. and he did NOT charge for signatures, tho they had a donation box set up for the charity they support. I didn't bring any comics, but purchased two of his sketchbooks.  (oh, and Babs Tarr didn't seem to be charging either, tho I did purchase a print from her that she then signed for me).  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 23:04:22 GMT -5
Hell I'd prefer if creators didn't charge, and I seriously debate whether I am willing to pay for it when they do, but I don't think it makes them a bad person for doing so. Unless they are a special guest of the con and getting an appearance fee, or their company is covering their expenses for being there (say Marvel or Paramount or some such), these guys are paying out of pocket to be there-table fees are ridiculously high for a lot of these shows, plus hotel, travel expenses, food, etc. just to be there for fans, so if they try to make back some of that, who am I to begrudge them that.
-M
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Post by Icctrombone on Sept 8, 2016 0:17:54 GMT -5
Hell I'd prefer if creators didn't charge, and I seriously debate whether I am willing to pay for it when they do, but I don't think it makes them a bad person for doing so. Unless they are a special guest of the con and getting an appearance fee, or their company is covering their expenses for being there (say Marvel or Paramount or some such), these guys are paying out of pocket to be there-table fees are ridiculously high for a lot of these shows, plus hotel, travel expenses, food, etc. just to be there for fans, so if they try to make back some of that, who am I to begrudge them that. -M I don't remember if I ever bashed an artist for charging for an autograph. If I did, I was wrong because they can do what they want, it doesn't mean I have to go along with it. I've gotten autographs from Neal Adams, Sergio Aragones, Jack Kirby and others and didn't pay a dime. Granted , this was during the 80's- 90's. It's more special to me when I can shoot the bull with them while they sign my book. Before Jim Starlin became hot again, I've spent a lot of time just gabbing with him about all his work. The memory is more valuable to me than a signature. |
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Post by brutalis on Sept 8, 2016 11:59:29 GMT -5
i see no problem in an artist or actor or writer charging for their autograph as in this day and age it is all about making money. If someone is willing to pay for an autograph then by all means let them pay. It is outrageous the pricing which goes on but it is ultimately the individual paying for it who has to make the decision on how much they want the autograph. The days of "free" are seemingly lost as everything comes with a price tag anymore.
As for myself there are no autographs which i would want to pay for. When i visit a convention and get to meet the artist/actor/write then it is that memory which sustains me in having the interaction of speaking with and being in their presence. I would rather have a picture on my cell phone than a written autograph for remembrance of meeting somebody that i am a fan of. My own preference is to actually purchase an art print or sketchbook and then almost always the artist/writer will ask if i would like it signed. And that is a true pure yes every time as then that signature is the artist/writer personally acknowledging their interaction with me. For me it is having that print or sketchbook to enjoy and savor for my own pleasure that when i look upon it bring back the memories of having met and spoken with somebody i consider to being "important" if only to me!
And think of it for the artist/writer: it is one thing to have a fan who stands in line for hours to meet them and meekly asks if they would mind signing a special comic book. It is quite another to see that idiot standing in line with a wagon full of comic books that the artist/writer knows are only going to be sold for outlandish prices and so why shouldn't the artist/writer not be allowed to have some of that compensation coming back to them by charging?
Yes there are insane costs but as long as there are insane people willing to pay those exuberant prices then somebody will always ask for it. I paid $20 for an autographed instant picture of Lou Ferrigno for my best friends birthday present and that was worth the cost as we spent nearly 20 minutes with nobody around talking with Mr. Ferrigno and my friend received an instant satisfaction and gratification for meeting, shaking hands and having his picture with a star he adored. Now my friend has even more respect and admiration for Ferrigno after meeting him and that picture with signature hangs framed in his bedroom where every day he is reminded how lucky he is to have met Ferrigno. That is worth paying for in my opinion.
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