I think comic art is neat. Time to shop! (I recommend reading the rest of the guide first.) There are actually only a few sources for purchasing comic art. Dealers, those who specialize in the buying and selling of art as a part time or full time business. Private collectors, who may be selling their art for a variety of reasons. Auction houses, those who sell on another parties behalf, for a cut of course. Artists and their reps, the creators and the primary market for the sale of art, usually focusing on more recently produced works. Finally, and the by far the hardest source of art to find, is art that has been in the wind, art that the whereabouts are unknown by the hobby as a whole. The undiscovered treasures of the hobby! There are still many items that are completely off the grid, sitting in a pile of papers in a desk , in a box in the basement,  or hanging on a wall, value unknown that people thinking is a $5 poster. It can be an exciting time when these pieces hit the light of day for collectors.

Dealers

     The backbone of the comic market at one point, dealers are open 24/7 and when you need your art fix. You don’t have to wait for a collector to decide to sell something, or for an auction to occur. There are some who have managed to turn it the buying and selling of comic art into a full time profession, and many many more who have become part time dealers to earn a little extra money on the side. With the internet and comic cons occurring regularly throughout the country anyone can be a dealer now! While having art readily available is great, the drawback is dealers primary concern is profit, which can cloud some peoples heads when it comes to integrity. 

Collectors

     Many people say a collector who never sells anything is a hoarder, and I agree with that sentiment. If we aren’t constantly nitpicking our collecting, and keeping it on a track, it can grow to be a mess. Be your own curator! Most collectors inevitably will sell off pieces. Often this is to finance the acquisition of pieces they treasure more. Sometimes it is to fund a vacation, retirement or a new house. Collectors regularly sell art and the importance of networking with other collectors can bring opportunities to purchase new pieces.

Online Auction Houses 

     Nowadays the auction houses that feature comic art are the primary way to buy, sell and gauge the temperature of the comic book market.  Several times a year the largest auction houses hold event auctions that showcase amazing art on a daily basis. Often times the market can become locked up when the bid and ask prices of fixed price items is too far apart. The auction setting can give comfort to the buyer and seller of a “fair market value,” although we will talk about this isn’t really true in a later article. 

Artists and Art Reps 

     Different artists sell their works in different ways, some part the duty out, hiring a rep to sell works on their behalf. Some artists have web stores to sell their works on their own. Some artists have little web presence, and the only way to buy their work is to find them at a convention. Some artists have no interest in selling their work! A few google searches and plenty of Twitter or IG follows and you should be able to figure out if, how and when artists on selling their recent art.

     The modern art market has actually heated up in recent years, with many collectors salivating at the first chance to buy a piece from popular pieces. Art drops from some of the most popular artists are becoming regular events for the community.

Art In The Wind

     The final and hardest way to find art, but potentially the highest rewarding. Tucked away and forgotten about, one has to imagine that there is probably some marquee art still laying in wait in the back of closets waiting to be found by someone cognizant of the hobby. It may be an estate sale, something that has made its way to a pawnshop, or a listing on ebay that someone found in the back of their Dad’s closet.  It is always exciting when pieces thought to be lost make their way back into the hobby.