NYCC 2024: The Batman Original Art Collection Grows Unexpectedly Larger
by Tom Smithyman
At every con, I manage to add to my collection of (mostly) Batman pieces. The 2024 edition of New York Comic Con is no exception.
I walked into NYCC this year thinking I’d come away with only a few new additions. I had practically nothing set up in advance, but that really didn’t stop me from picking up way more that I had expected. The size of my haul was due to a few factors, including some purchases made outside of the con, but delivered there, as well as a few pieces I just fell into. When you have as much talent as NYCC packed into the Javits Center this past weekend, there is plenty to choose from.
The only piece I set up in advance was from Filipino artist Manuel “Manix” Abrera. I first saw Manix’ artwork at OAX earlier this year and knew I needed something from him. He delivered with “Batman in the Jungles of Hell.” It’s not as colorful as many of his works, but it’s something special.
Walking around the show floor is a sure-fire way to see how the original art market is doing. Word on the street is that prices for published Marvel art is fairly strong, but DC art isn’t fetching a premium any longer. On my walking around Artist Alley, I ran into Adriano Di Benedetto’s booth. I’ve bought published pages from him for the past two years and got excited when I saw this page that he inked over Mike Hawthorne’s pencils. It’s from Batman #151, page 12.
Artist Juan Ferrerya and Travis Mercer have been on my list to collect from, and since both were at the show, they were on my short list. Neither disappointed. From Ferrerya, I picked up this page from Batman and Robin #13. It features Batman, the Batwing, and a Robin who has been pumped up with Venom (the DC drug, not the Marvel alien).
From that same run on Dinosaur Island, Mercer was offering his variant cover from Batman and Robin #11. I mean, come on! The Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder on motorcycles with…dinos?!? This was a no-brainer!
After I left the con on Friday, I saw on social media that Inaki Miranda had painted this stylized Batman and was offering it up. I contacted his art rep and scooped it up.
Similarly, Jorge Fornes’ rep sent an email out to their mailing list letting everyone know that this piece was available at the show. I love Fornes’ style. Despite having a few published pieces from him already, I grabbed this too.
I also picked up three pieces at NYCC that I had purchased previously. The con is such a destination that it’s often a good place to arrange for pickup since so many people are there. One of my first pickups was from Max Fiumara. It was part of a fundraiser to help fellow Brazilians who had been displaced by the terrible flooding that hit the country earlier this year. His angular Batman is the stuff of wonderful nightmares!
Through a well-connected friend, I was able to buy this Kevin Eastman cover directly from the artist. It’s his ratio incentive cover to Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3, full of Shredder evilness!
The same friend sold me a magnificent Tim Sale Batman. I have a few Sale Batman piece already, but the details on this were too great to pass up.
Finally, I’m a huge fan of Geof Darrow. His Shaolin Cowboy series is fascinating, and he was offering a package deal where you could buy his newest book along with some pre-done commissions. While most of my collection is Batman (and I already have a Darrow Batman), I love his work too much to ignore it.
Thank goodness that NYCC only comes once a year!
