Baltmore Comic Con 2024 Part 6: Jim Starlin, and More Al Milgrom

 

When I last met Jim Starlin, Baltimore Comic Con 2023, I was a bit taken aback by his $20.00 price tag per book. Mainly, this was because it put me in a predicament I hate to be in where I have to pick and choose. If you recall, in yesterday's post, and a hundred times before that, I stated how convenient it would be if artists posted their rates on the convention's website. This would allow people to better plan, and come prepared.

Knowing what I paid last time, I repacked all the books (and more) that I skipped in 2023, and came prepared with the cash to pay Mr. Starlin's (high) fee. Fortunately, but still unfortunately, he was still charging this same rate.

Jim Starlin holding up a hardbound book Dave Braun
wanted from his table, which I picked up for him and
had autographed - Gotta treat your line hold right!

I started things off with the highly underrated Marvel Age. This "comic" was the original fanzine, and one of the few sources for upcoming Marvel news before issues hit stands. It featured articles about the impact of the events, characters, or the creative teams behind them, while also providing a schedule of upcoming books.

I focused on issue 13, which featured some form of information about the current era of symbiote suit Spider-Man, as well as those which were focused around the Infinity Sage, AKA The Infinity Gauntlet, The Infinity War, and The Infinity Crusade. I mad no mention about The Thanos Quest in that statement, as I checked off those two books, and related Marvel Age issue last year with Jim. However, chronologically, that title would fall before all the others noted below, which are also listed in event order.

Also signed by Jim Shooter at
Big Lick NOVA 2023, as well as
Jim Salicrup at Awesome Con 2024

Also signed by Renee Witterstatter
at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Next batch up was my full run of The Infinity War.

This was, of course, followed by the final installment, The Infinity Crusade. For this, I also got Al Milgrom to sign, who served as inker on the entire run.

It was great to finally cross this off my list, especially since I had to pass on them all last time. However, the wait did give me an opportunity to also get the related Marvel Age issues signed, so that turned out to be beneficial.

This was the line I sent my buddy, Dave Braun, to wait in upon entering the convention. He must have been standing there for a good hour before Mr. Starlin showed up. Once I took his place, he was off to his next mission, which set the stage for what could have been the biggest disappointment of the day. I'll tell that story, which links back to my comments from the very first part of this series, next time.

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Baltimore Comic Con 2023: Part VII - Jim Starlin, And Brian Michael Bendis

With exception of my convention book, post coming soon on that, Jim Starlin and Brian Michael Bendis wrapped up my con experience for Baltimore Comic Con.

As I stood in line for Chris Claremont, I actually sent my buddy over to Jim Starlin's table, and asked him to hold a spot for me. I know, that's not technically how it works, but it was a tactic that worked well in a few instances throughout the day.

You may recall from my first post about the convention that Jim Starlin caught me off guard. I had packed books under the guise of his own words that he doesn't, "usually charge for signatures at conventions." Well, not only was he charging, but at $20.00 per signature, he was the most expensive guy I got things signed by.

I initially wanted to get my entire Infinity Saga signed, which consisted of The Thanos Quest, The Infinity Gauntlet, The Infinity War, and The Infinity Crusade, as well as a few Batman and Spider-Man related books. However, when he dropped the price point on me, I immediately cut that well in half, if not more. I'm not going to begrudge the man for charging. It's his time, and his prerogative. At the end of the day, it's my choice if I'm going to pay it or not. I mean, at least it wasn't John Romita Jr. prices, and unlike Renee Witterstaetter, is actually someone most people talking about comics will know the name of.

Also signed by Renee Witterstaetter
at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Also signed by Renee Witterstaetter
at Big Lick NOVA 2023

It was easy to whittle down the selection of books for Mr. Starlin. The latter two Infinity series were an afterthought to begin with, and would have just resulted in me spending more money at Al Milgrom's table having him sign those. The Spider-Man books were also not necessarily all that important to me.

What were important were the below Batman books, the majority of which are the four part Death in the Family story arc.

Todd McFarlane's iconic Batman cover
A book I will probably never get the chance
to have him sign

Another line I had my buddy stand in was that of Brian Michael Bendis. This also leads me to my one and only purchase at the convention.

Prior to taking his place in line, I gave my friend an assignment. Walk the floor, and find me a vendor who has a copy of Ultimate Fallout 4, first printing, the first appearance of Miles Morales. He found one relatively quickly, and while the price was...expected...it certainly ate into my available funds. Bendis's line was equally long, if not longer, than Chris Claremont's, but he moved quick, setting up three people at a time at his table, and signing fast.

I think what led the charge of me finally taking the plunge on a book I had been wishy washy over for years was that Bendis was at the convention, and signing for free. What better way to buy the book than to immediately turn around and get it signed by the character's creator? Now I just need to track down Mark Bagley again to sign it...among other things.

Though there were still about five or six people I wanted to meet and get autographs from, sadly, and as I've said before, hunger, dehydration, frustration, exhaustion, and sore feet led me to calling it a day with an hour and a half left in the con. Sure, I could have probably gotten several more signatures in that time span, but I was at the point where the luster of being there, and the thought of continuing to spend money had run their courses. I was simply ready to leave. 

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