AUCTION UPDATE! + more KIB details!

Published on December 15, 2020

We mentioned yesterday that Ryan Stegman's KING IN BLACK #1 original art issue has sold complete...and that the entire SERIES is set to sell complete. To one very motivated collector. Well, we have been given permission to share more details now.

The collector in question isn't just any collector; he's also a curator. We'll let the organization make the eventual official annoucement, but yes, Ryan's KING IN BLACK art is destined to be displayed in a museum. It's currently in the planning stages, but the site has already been chosen and the land acquired. It's simply a matter of time.

Although we pride ourselves on creating the complete issue market for artists, we also always try to make art available to everyone. There are many times when we could have sold ALL the art complete for various artists/titles (the most recent examples being Daniel Warren Johnson's WONDER WOMAN: DEAD EARTH and Riley Rossmo's ROBIN KING), but we have chosen not to do that, and instead split up issues so that pages would be available to all. In this case, we made an exception. It's an honor for Ryan to have his work chosen by a museum to represent the best of modern Marvel art. While I fully understand that it can be disappointing for all the art from this series to be locked up by an institution, we also hope Ryan's fans can be happy for him. We have sold art to various museums and institutions all over the world over the years for their permanent collections; this is the first time we'll have sold an entire work. Every page, every cover. Nearly 150 pieces in total. We thank the museum for choosing us!

This is also personally validating for me. I've always said that great art is great art, regardless of age/era. You just have to know it when you see it. I have been extremely selective in the artists I work with (and extremely lucky that they've agreed!). I'm a fan of their work, and I believe in their talent. All of them. I've been a comics fan for 40+ years and have seen artists come and go. After a while, the special ones stand out immediately. They're the ones I try to identify.

A few years ago, there was a debate on the CGC boards about the artists I rep. Primarily, the premise was that I "overhyped" my artists. That I was leading impressionable young collectors astray. One poster, in particular, found my promotion egregious and undeserved. He singled out the following artists: James Harren, Daniel Warren Johnson, Tradd Moore, Geoff Shaw. I stood by what I said then and I stand by it now: That I find these artists to be extraordinary talents, and that time would tell how they were viewed. I would bet quite favorably. It's been three years since that debate. There's still a long way to go, but at least at this moment, three years later...was I wrong?

Our latest round of charity art auctions to benefit The Lu Family Fund conclude tomorrow evening, Wednesday, December 16th, at 5PM PST/8PM EST. Here's where we stand:

MATÍAS BERGARA's Silver Surfer Black is at $2250!

LESLIE HUNG's Snotgirl is at $600!

STUART IMMONEN's Luke Skywalker is at $1200!

Remember, ALL proceeds benefit cancer patients and their families via The Lu Family Fund. If your company offers a donation match, let us know, we'll count that in your bid! Your payment to Paltown may be tax deductible (consult your accountant). Please place your bids in the post for any (or all!) pieces on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Whichever is your social media outlet of choice. OR you can submit your bid to me directly. I will then update social media with the high bid. Thank you, bid high, and good luck!