Fans Get UPSET Over JIM LEE Commission Prices! Are Collectors and Flippers To Blame?

Рет қаралды 5,521

6 күн бұрын

In this video I talk the recent drama surrounding JIM Lee's Commission pricing. Some fans and collectors are upset and claim that it is too high while artists have come to his defense. Is this the fault of dealers and flippers in the comic book, art and collecting world? I break it all down
Let me know what you guys think of all of this.
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Link To Commission Article - sdccblog.com/2024/06/list-of-...
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Пікірлер: 165

@justicerice3589 4 күн бұрын

Jim Lee is a super busy figurehead for DC he probably doesn’t wanna draw a million commissions so he sets his prices relatively high so he only has to draw a few things before the con. He’s also older and has a dozen or so kids so I’m sure he has plenty of other stuff to do with his time.

@michaelcooper9725 3 күн бұрын

Exactly what's happening. He probably decided that he didn't want to do more than "X" amount of commissions and then determined what price point would filter the majority out. Tbh, he'll probably be at peace if no one purchases one.

@shifty0212 4 күн бұрын

Sounds like some people were thrilled when they heard that Jim Lee was opening up commissions, thinking they could get a personalized artwork for a couple hundred bucks.....and then they had extreme sticker shock and decided to rage about it.

@lexgraham2118 3 күн бұрын

THESE FOLKS GOTTA BE NEW. THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING HIM FOR 30+ YRS KNOW BETTER. HE WAS THE BEST AND HE KNOWS IT. HE DOESNT HAVE OWNERSHIP OF ANY OF THE CHARACTERS HE HELPED CREATE, DEFINE, AND MAKE ICONIC. THIS IS HOW HE GETS PAID. MOST ARTISTS DONT GET ROYALTIES FROM DC/MARVEL FOR THESE BILLION DOLLAR MOVIES.

@akkakkakekkn 2 күн бұрын

People really are dumb and greedy. Jim Lee can charge those prices because he's literally one of the biggest artists in the medium. A list actors charge hundreds for their signatures but superstar artist Jim Lee can't charge a few thousand for Private commission. get outta here

@kennythecomiccollector 4 күн бұрын

As the artist, he can set his prices to whatever he wants them to be.

@JohnSmith-ib8qr 4 күн бұрын

Who really cares...I'll stick to buying Jack Kirby, John Buscema, Gil Kane, Curt Swan, Gene Colan, John Romita Sr. and Jr, Frank Frazetta, Mike Mignola, John Bryne, Lee Weeks, Carmine Infantino, Neal Adams, Dick Collin, Ross Andru, Jim Mooney, Kurt Schaffenberger, Al Plastino, Murphy Anderson, Dan Decal, Mort Drucker, Jack Davis, Wayne Boring, Dave Fleischer, Max Fleischer, Steve Ditko, Alex Toth, Dick Sprang, Will Eisner, Reed Crandall, Barry Winsor-Smith, Joe Kubert and Sons, Al Williamson, Lou Fine, Wally Wood, George Perez published splash pages like I always have. I've been selling my 60-year comic book collection at my eBay store (smittys*stuff) over the last 25-years, taking the profits to put my children through college and buying original published comic pages...lol!

@6gunn13 3 күн бұрын

Jim Lee can set his price, and so can any artist. If you don't like his art, don't buy it. He's pricing based on his self-worth and time, and that's his right. What Non-Artists Don’t Get Skill and Experience: Years of hard work and practice. Time and Effort: Hours put into creating each piece. Market Demand: How popular the artist is and who wants their work. Reputation and Branding: Building a name and a strong following. Recognizing His Worth Jim Lee’s pricing shows his skill, the value of his time, and his true worth as an artist. It's a fair reflection of the dedication and expertise he brings to his work. To the Critics If you’ve got champagne dreams on a beer budget, save up. Don’t bash an artist for their prices. On Flippers Flippers aren’t the problem; once they buy the art, it’s theirs to sell as they please. Every artist has the right to set their prices based on their worth, skill, and the market. Respect their choice, and if you really value their work, understand the price reflects more than just the final piece.

@River.Rambler Күн бұрын

This is one of the premier creators of his generation. I’m thrilled to see that he is respected, still in the business and fully compensated for his work and talent. A stark contrast to the world Jack Kirby endured.

@50TBRD 4 күн бұрын

No matter what he lists his prices at people would cry about it. Like you said, he's a big wig at DC. That's probably what determines his hourly rate. Even still, how much would Upper Deck, Flair, Fleer, Skybox, etc. pay him to do artwork for one of their sets?

@akkakkakekkn 2 күн бұрын

Exactly. He can charge that much because he's worth that much. If no one buys it he'll lower the price.

@CoachDale_TopNotchMuayThai 4 күн бұрын

Jim just like, “ I’m friggin Jim Lee…. Pay me ! “ 😆

@FunFactoryCollectibles 4 күн бұрын

I think the price is fine, he has earn his spot in comic history.. If we don't have artist have a path for success to sell original comic art how are we bringing in new blood? On pure love of comics?

@thesneakertifosi 3 күн бұрын

I saw Rob Liefeld talk about this and for good or bad it has merit. He said he would see his work sell for a lot and figured why not do it himself. With Jim I think it’s the same logic of why have someone else make 20k on my stuff when I can pocket it directly. I think the only thing Jim should offer cheaper is a quick sketch/remark as a thanks to real fans but even that is up to his discretion.

@stampscapes 3 күн бұрын

That's a little more than my John Byrne commission at a convention back when I was a teen in the 80's. $20 for one figure and $35 for two. I had him draw a picture of Spiderman fighting a robot with my lawn mowing money.

@diymegami 4 күн бұрын

Looking at the roster, DC editor in chief is Marie Javins

@jlasiter042178 12 сағат бұрын

I wouldn’t mind…the only problem I have is that recent art/covers seems to be “mailed in” and not the hyper detailed cross hatched 90’s art that I fell in love with

@farvfenugen 4 күн бұрын

Flippers, or more specifically eBay and the ease of seeing something I just drew over the weekend for $200 being sold for $5000 is what drove the prices up. The outrage however, that's pure entitlement, the crazy and persistent notion that I somehow have authority over a person just because they are a public figure. Absolute madness.

@psychodeviant8903 4 күн бұрын

Jim Lee can charge whatever price he wants for his work. People are free to not buy his work if they don't want to pay what he's asking. Drawing a commission is not a quick thing he knocks out in 5 minutes. I don't know how fast Jim is anymore but I'd imagine there's a significant time sink into each piece he does (assuming he doesn't half ass it) so I'm sure he doesn't want to have a thousand commissions on order taking up the next half year of his life. He has other duties, plus I'm sure he'd like to have time to, y'know, live and spend time with his family and stuff. Nobody ever died from "lack of Jim Lee artwork." Grow up babies. I'm sure Jim is doing it partially to get paid, partially to dissuade flippers and speculators, and partially because he doesn't want a whole lot of commission requests. God help me but I think I had the same opinion as Heather Antos in that one screen shot in the video.

@zachbrobst9473 4 күн бұрын

Original art can be a truly humbling hobby to get involved in. As Como says, collect responsibly

@User8vfjhejf 4 күн бұрын

He gets around 50-60K per day, for a con appearance. that's why it's "Jim Lee, Only available Saturday" cause the con promoter is only paying him for one day and not the weekend,.

@ComicsWithBonics 2 күн бұрын

When you said “Steven!” It freaked me out!

@danielps6328 4 күн бұрын

I did buy tickets for OAX 2025 (Original Art Expo) but now I'm not sure if I have the bank for this! It's not just Lee but I think the whole market is going up. Great for the artists today because in the past so many died broke. It's just I may have to back to buying variants!

@SamFowler-ko3rw 4 күн бұрын

I don't have any original art from Jim. But i do have a copy of X-Men 1 signed by him. That comic reminds me of the cartoon back in the 90s. It was all awesome 👍😎

@holyharlot5222 4 күн бұрын

Who pays Marvel or DC to license the characters?

@jrucker4181 3 күн бұрын

Lots of people charge for their work. Buy it or not. Like you said the market rate is what it is.

@CGL_Collectibles 3 күн бұрын

Hi Swagglehaus! I’m a long time subscriber! I recently posted a video where I was buying silver age keys at a flea market. The seller accused me of foul play. I have the whole thing on video! If you could comment your insight I would truly value it!

@terri_blueberri 4 күн бұрын

Jim Lee can probably charge much more than that if he wanted. Do people really think they're going to walk up to Jim Lee and just have him knock out a few pieces of art. I would love to afford this.

@beowulf1563 4 күн бұрын

$35,000...... that's it? I'll take 2.

@jasonwilson5374 3 күн бұрын

I don't understand, maybe its that I am a gen Xer. I always thought if something I thought was way to expensive it meant either, figure out a way to afford it or it wasn't for me. I am okay with it wasn't for me. Not every product is for everyone.

@MichaelDerousie-nx7yu 4 күн бұрын

I've done a few meet and greets with Jim Lee. I enjoyed it. I was a little $$. Super fast signature.

@rogueafett190 4 күн бұрын

Man you could get an Alex Ross for that much ahahah

@horvathsogranfume658 4 күн бұрын

sounds like a good idea

@davidsamuelson2089 4 күн бұрын

I’d like a corvette turbo but I would never pay that much for one. So, I live with a step down but I cannot fault the dealership for charging what a few dopes with too much money will buy. People will pay it no matter how much they charge.

@robertdavis3567 4 күн бұрын

Flippers yes, collectors no. Collectors want to hold on to something they love. Holding that something random for $20k is BS. Flippers want to take advantage and profit of off other people’s work or desperation.

@dandelatorre1870 4 күн бұрын

Over all the years and decades that I have been collecting I’ve never bitched or complained about the market price of comics. I’d always bought if I could afford and sadly overbought then had to sell because of the bad financial decision. Over the last 10 years I looked for deals and pulled the trigger when the moment presented itself but I’ve never bitched.

@apilgrim8715 4 күн бұрын

Its probably for IRS and tax reasons. If he donates a work to charity, that is how much he deducts the value as. In general, its better to have a high value and then offer discount.

@jamesbacon748 3 күн бұрын

It's a very contrived story, as you note, you can find artwork at a variety of prices, if Jim Lee wants to charge that, so be it, but the £35k is a top end and if a person opts for that, I expect they will have a very special piece for them selves. The choice part of commission, to ask for specifics is highly valuable to some, to others, it's a cheaper option. Buy what you can afford and what you love. I'm certain Lee puts in a hard working week at DC.

@angelvalle9963 4 күн бұрын

Love the jim lee resident evil #1 cover 💪

@Supertomscustoms Күн бұрын

When an artist prices commission work that high it’s for 2 reasons. 1. They don’t need the money 2. They don’t really want to do commissions.

@Cardsandtoys 4 күн бұрын

is it me or does the thought that even if u have an AF 15 already, you can always get another one or upgrade to a higher grade for these prices....

@akkakkakekkn 2 күн бұрын

People are so dumb. Jim Lee is a comic book art superstar. Some of his comics sold millions of copies in the 90s. He's as close to a comic book celebrity we have. He has a right to charge that much because as others have pointed out some buy his art for hundreds of dollars then resell it for thousands. Jim lee is a legend who can command those prices. Regular celebrities who are worth millions charge hundreds of dollars for their autographs but Jim Lee can't charge a few thousand for a PRIVATE COMMISSION. I swear people just don't want their favorite artists making money.

@ghostlotuslotus8398 4 күн бұрын

Glad I still have two of my FREE Jim Lee sketch covers from back in 2010 before these dummies started paying these prices to yelll "my *ick is bigger" lol Campbell, Lee, Finch all used to be free until everyone started flipping sketch covers on ebay. Glad I was there before the price boom good times

@rhonelloca5871 4 күн бұрын

The ship has sale, prices are all up now. Just to bad for us that missed on the cheap prices back in the days. I still want a head sketch if anything for 1k but I'd rather see him in person for that than sending it to CGC.

@pcorey182 4 күн бұрын

Jim Lee can charge what he wants but on the flip side of that he doesn't charge that much with the big three companies so basically saying I don't care about the fans anymore I'll just get as much money as I possibly can I don't agree with that and I would not purchase anything from him because of that I just don't think you should treat your fans like that because without your fans what would you be

@modius6124 4 күн бұрын

Love Jim's art, but his prices are too high for me.

@peepo1460 2 күн бұрын

This is a legend. the newer artist already charge a lot. Dude is not about to take 100+ commissions.

@stephenoakley7410 4 күн бұрын

As a Stephen, how dare you Swagglehaus.

@annb5378 4 күн бұрын

Its a dream to be able to get a JL commissioned piece. Hostly, I would pay those price but I would need a 6 figure job before I feel comfortable enough to shell that kind of cash.

@lexluthor8888 4 күн бұрын

I too wonder if Jim Lee has any specific duties at DC other than Public Relations. He has a nice title but is he engaged in the design and production of comic books? As a reader, it is not obvious to me. From his Instagram postings, he seems to spend a lot of time going to cons and doing commissions. More power to him.

@dp644 3 күн бұрын

He’s only going to charge what the market will bare. Unfortunately what he’s charging is going to limit the amount of people that can afford it.

@MasterShake300 3 күн бұрын

Yeah, this is pretty much a "I don't want to draw, so if i have to I'm gonna get PAID".

@0723martin 4 күн бұрын

Nobody wants Darkhawk!

@cincinnatuscincinnatus8541 4 күн бұрын

I wish I could own Frank Teran Punisher cover art

@Tosh16 4 күн бұрын

I always go back to the Hulk 340 explanation for this type of thing. The book is only sought after and the only reason it holds any value is because of the artwork on the cover. It's not a key book for any other reason. So all the people who have sold a Hulk 340 for profit how many do you think sent Todd McFarlane a percentage? Zero did. He's literally the only reason the book has value because of his talent and nobody even considers maybe he deserves a piece of my profits. Not a single person. These artists should charge whatever they want and they alone choose who gets a deal if they want to give one.

@GreekGeek66 4 күн бұрын

Completely insane prices BUT if he wasnt getting buyers he would drop his prices. Supply and demand and fair markets are what we have in the USA. More power to him if he can get hundreds of folks to pay.

@brendandaley9355 4 күн бұрын

While I totally understand charge what your worth/ what you can get those prices eliminate all but the highest end collectors. If you need to limit the amount for a convention have a raffle and personalize the piece to detract selling. Having someone’s name on the piece will detract buyers and hopefully prevent reselling. Great artist great work not gonna be gettin a commission at any point in time.

@buraddorun3043 4 күн бұрын

I'm thankful to have one Jim Lee published original art page. It's from his Suicide Squad run. I paid less than $1K for it a few years ago.

@amirsteinberg9683 4 күн бұрын

Albert Moy, his agent, has a website full of Jim Lee original art. He's got a Suicide Squad page for $900. No one has to spend $35,000, there are other options. It is capitalism, more power to Jim Lee if that's what he wants to charge. You can buy X-Men #1 and have him sign it for $100-150.

@WadeNslade 4 күн бұрын

I said this last year 😂😂😂

@BigMoneyGripMCV 4 күн бұрын

i'm more upset that Mark Hamill is ok with $400 photo-ops and autographs :(

@StephenGames 4 күн бұрын

I'm a Stephen watching this video and was looking at my other monitor when I heard "Stephen!" lmao (I haven't flipped Jim Lee artwork tho don't yell at me)

@nas7815 4 күн бұрын

I believe he should be able to charge whatever he feels appropriate. I’m curious though as to what his rate is though to the big 3. It is a shame that he doesn’t have an affordable option for the common man.

@psychodeviant8903 4 күн бұрын

The time it would take him to draw that commission would be the same as the time he spends drawing one of his big expensive commissions. Unless you mean an "affordable option" like Jim Lee bangs out a stick figure in 2 minutes and sells it to you for $200 or something like that.

@robertdavis3567 3 күн бұрын

Conspiracy Theory: Art is growing in value faster than just about anything else. People are looking to art as an investment, and Jim Lee is a Grade A+ artist to invest in. However, the elite always need a subservient under class. The elite was people dependent upon them rather than be self sufficient. That’s why you see new homes being built solely for the purpose of renting, organic food costs more than “regular” additive filled food, if you want to get in on a really good investment (IPO, real estate,yadda yadda) you likely need to be an “accredited investor” with million(s) at your disposal,etc. Perhaps setting the price at $20k is a form of gate keeping, ensuring that only select few get to partake?

@kyleroussel 3 күн бұрын

A custom Jim Lee 1 of 1 sketch is a luxury collectible. Like a high-end car or designer home, not everybody gets to have one. That's life. Did people think that they were going to get a Lee commission for a bargain? If you're one of the "terminally online" people in this world, then original Jim Lee art isn't for you.

@pkeel7576 4 күн бұрын

This is 100% Albert Moy pricing these

@IzzyVerseNYC 4 күн бұрын

It's Jim Lee. Will people pay those prices for Alex Ross and Todd McFarlane? I think will.

@AndrewSunada 4 күн бұрын

Not surprised. He has to literally do everything and actually spend the time on it. This way he gets a very limited set of customers.

@cowbelltv4865 4 күн бұрын

I know this may make no sense, it doesn’t bother me that he can get lots of money for his commissions. What bothers me is he should be running DC. He’s not a freelancer, who’s out to make money here and there. He supposed to be creating great books for one of the two great comic companies in this country. And instead he’s drawing pictures of wolverine for $35k.

@mickeymousse3098 2 күн бұрын

What does it matter, he can charge what he wants

@Sainfinitum 4 күн бұрын

I decided to pass on Jim Lee and go talk to a dozen other artists that I was able to spend more time with in Phoenix last year. I enjoyed that more than I would have just seeing Jim Lee. He’ll charge what he charges, I’ll pay what I’ll pay. If we miss each other, we miss.

@grios5530 3 күн бұрын

Ya whatever. But be real that is crazy pricing but at same time he's just trying to get that sold price for his work.

@User8vfjhejf 4 күн бұрын

I'm not paying 35K for Jim Lee inks haha

@juanromero1986 4 күн бұрын

Well like how much do comic book companies pay comic artists for covers art?? I'm sure it is not damn $35,000 🤦🏽🤦🏽 that's like a new damn car .

@theycallmebruce3132 3 күн бұрын

If you don't like the prices, don't pay them. Comic collectors have always been wanting "deals" and believe that because they've been collecting artist's stuff "since the beginning" they feel they're "entitled" to having "affordable princes". Artists need to make a living and they can all set their own prices for what they create!

@brute_nm 4 күн бұрын

Somewhere, Steven with Jim Lee art is shitting bricks over being put on blast 😂

@chriskuneman3310 4 күн бұрын

Jim Lee can charge what he wants. He's entitled to that. But, honestly i think it's a bad look to put those kinds of numbers out there for the public to see.

@nda42831 4 күн бұрын

You raise and lower prices to control foot traffic. If the public thinks it’s to high they’re going to vote with their their dollars. If he’s stands his ground that’ll be your proof he’s there for pleasure.

@bmth2111 4 күн бұрын

Personally I just like collecting comics. I don’t give a shit about having the artists signature/remark/sketch. Jim Lee will charge whatever he wants. If you can afford it, cool. If you can’t afford it, then you can’t and that’s ok too. The ones getting mad because of the high prices are just mad because they can’t afford it. Can I? No. Do I care? No. At the end the day Jim Lee is just a man who happens to be a very talented artist. That’s it. Not a big deal.

@twindiezel1965 3 күн бұрын

Not sure why people think Comic books and private commissions should be affordable.. it’s artwork and he’s the artist.. I can’t afford it but I’ll get my favorite keys signed by him if I can afford.

@horvathsogranfume658 4 күн бұрын

imagine what stan lee would charge for an art commission >.>

@bcm3938 4 күн бұрын

except no one is selling it for more than what he wants. Selling at a loss? Sure.

@murrayk.morrison9673 4 күн бұрын

He should charge whatever the market will bear. If you can’t afford his art buy from another artist.

@camdenwade553 4 күн бұрын

As one of the people you call out in the video, I think what you said about how people should “just make more money” is very tone deaf. Don’t shame collectors based on their situation

@babsthewreckingcrew4294 4 күн бұрын

He knows people in San Diego are rich, so what! I doubt he charges that much at every con 😅

@davidevans-lv6uq 3 күн бұрын

The question is really moot! You want his work, pay for it. At this point in his life he has seen the rise and fall of the industry. He has seen so many people bank off his work. He knows what his work is worth and we as consumers have to respect it. If you don’t want to … don’t buy it. In theory you probably couldn’t afford it anyway! Had an older art teacher that taught me this lesson, it’s worth every penny you pay if you love it! It is then your special moment in time with an extremely talented artist…. Get over yourself if you can’t understand that!

@tonynardelli443 2 күн бұрын

He can set his own prices- of course! And customers can set theirs- nobody will pay that

@bruce5476 3 күн бұрын

Looks to me like Jim is tired. And the best way to reduce the workload is to increase the price to eliminate the low end work. Not only that but it will increase his overall art in the world. Less quantity more demand means increased value. Jim is super rich now. He doesn’t need the money. He draws because he like doing it. But when drawing becomes work. It’s time to increase the price. Simply as that.

@christopherticknor7759 3 күн бұрын

Single Autographs 15k lol

@forzendikar9908 4 күн бұрын

He has 9 kids, they ain’t cheap 😂

@STASHdadtv 4 күн бұрын

Dc not paying jim lee enough?

@darthsneaky 4 күн бұрын

People who collect OA sniff their own farts from champaine glasses

@stevenbrown9374 3 күн бұрын

Hey! What did I do? 😂

@leeniren3706 2 күн бұрын

He can charge whatever he wants. If someone thinks it cost too much don’t pay for it.

@shawnmichaud4484 4 күн бұрын

Dont like it, dont pay it (IE cant pay it). Pretty simple. If thats his price, he either believes people will pay it or really doesnt care to do much commission artwork now and is setting high prices to keep commission work lower.

@ManiakGear 4 күн бұрын

It's not Flippers fault. Just like Scalpers, these people wouldn't exist if there weren't people paying it.

@brianrobinson5033 4 күн бұрын

It's Jim Lee, one the greatest artist to ever to put actual pen to paper for the comicbook industry. If I had it I would buy it. He should be able to retire with that skill not the flippers

@madmanelsd123 4 күн бұрын

Poor nerds.

@jabezcreed 4 күн бұрын

He's the Publisher of a major media company. You're paying for his time, but that's as far as it goes for me.

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