[Groop]Autograph policy

Tue, 14 Jan 2003 00:51:32 EST

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Think about why you get items autographed.  When I get autographs (and it is 
my favorite occupation at conventions), I do it because:
1.  It gives me a good excuse to approach these creators and strike up a 
conversation, even if it is brief.
2.  I like the "sport" of trying to find the item the creator would be most 
surprised to see again. My best, by the way, is two of those 11x17 sheets 
that syndication services send to newspapers with the week's comics on them.  
Also along the lines of "sport" signature hunting, we like to get photos of 
ourselves with creators on the first day of the convention, have them 
developed overnight, and have the creators sign them on the second day (note 
to Sergio and Mark: we were trying at Mid-Ohio Con, but we could not find a 
functioning digital-capable one-hour photomat within several miles of the 
convention).
3.  I like having the signature of the creator on works that are significant 
to me (a strange thing to say about Groo).  For instance, I had Sergio and 
Mark sign the first-ever comic book I ever read, which led to a wonderful 
conversation.
4.  I'm left with a permanent, tangible connection to the meeting with a 
creator whose work I enjoy and/or who has had an impact on my life.

I understand that I am fortunate to have been able to meet Sergio twice, as 
well as several other people whose works have been important to me (both in 
and out of comics).  Not everyone can afford the expense of going to a 
convention or lives in an area where that is feasible.  Yes, it is nice to 
have original art from the creators, or their signatures, again because it 
offers a tactile connection to them.  However, purchasing something 
autographed off eBay seems rather hollow.  What significance does something 
autographed have without the memories of the occasion to go with it?    The 
point of getting creator's autographs, to me, is not in obtaining the actual 
signature, but in meeting the person who signs it.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been in line behind a comic pimp who 
has 25 or more comics, obviously trying to get "the entire signed run of 
Mutant Maniacs from Muncie" and not even having the common decency to break 
it up over two trips to the table.  While the creator patiently signs those 
25 comics assembly-line style, that one person stands silent and a line of 
people stacks up who would like nothing more than to say, "hey, I really like 
the work you do."

A three-comic limit is perfectly reasonable request.  The main difference 
between Sergio's new policy and that of many other creators is that he is 
willing to sign more than three at a reasonable cost (hey, I've seen actors 
charge up to $50 and you hardly get to say "hi"), while giving the proceeds 
to a good cause.  It's a shame that people have taken advantage of Sergio's 
good nature to the point where such a policy is necessary, but the solution 
seems to be a good one.  Fans still have the opportunity to get their 
favorite comics signed, while it politely discourages autograph dealers.

By the way, I personally feel very awkward bringing more than two items to a 
creator to have signed at once.  If I have more than 2 that I want to have 
signed, I'll take two, then scope out a time when there is little to no line 
and take the additional item or two back in a second trip.  It seems only 
curteous.

Sorry for the length.  My two cents seems to have become at least five bucks.
Janet

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<HTML>Think about why you get items autographed.&nbsp; When I get autographs (and it is my favorite occupation at conventions), I do it because: 
1.&nbsp; It gives me a good excuse to approach these creators and strike up a conversation, even if it is brief. 
2.&nbsp; I like the "sport" of trying to find the item the creator would be most surprised to see again. My best, by the way, is two of those 11x17 sheets that syndication services send to newspapers with the week's comics on them.&nbsp; Also along the lines of "sport" signature hunting, we like to get photos of ourselves with creators on the first day of the convention, have them developed overnight, and have the creators sign them on the second day (note to Sergio and Mark: we were trying at Mid-Ohio Con, but we could not find a functioning digital-capable one-hour photomat within several miles of the convention). 
3.&nbsp; I like having the signature of the creator on works that are significant to me (a strange thing to say about Groo).&nbsp; For instance, I had Sergio and Mark sign the first-ever comic book I ever read, which led to a wonderful conversation. 
4.&nbsp; I'm left with a permanent, tangible connection to the meeting with a creator whose work I enjoy and/or who has had an impact on my life. 
 
I understand that I am fortunate to have been able to meet Sergio twice, as well as several other people whose works have been important to me (both in and out of comics).&nbsp; Not everyone can afford the expense of going to a convention or lives in an area where that is feasible.&nbsp; Yes, it is nice to have original art from the creators, or their signatures, again because it offers a tactile connection to them.&nbsp; However, purchasing something autographed off eBay seems rather hollow.&nbsp; What significance does something autographed have without the memories of the occasion to go with it?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The point of getting creator's autographs, to me, is not in obtaining the actual signature, but in meeting the person who signs it. 
 
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been in line behind a comic pimp who has 25 or more comics, obviously trying to get "the entire signed run of Mutant Maniacs from Muncie" and not even having the common decency to break it up over two trips to the table.&nbsp; While the creator patiently signs those 25 comics assembly-line style, that one person stands silent and a line of people stacks up who would like nothing more than to say, "hey, I really like the work you do." 
 
A three-comic limit is perfectly reasonable request.&nbsp; The main difference between Sergio's new policy and that of many other creators is that he is willing to sign more than three at a reasonable cost (hey, I've seen actors charge up to $50 and you hardly get to say "hi"), while giving the proceeds to a good cause.&nbsp; It's a shame that people have taken advantage of Sergio's good nature to the point where such a policy is necessary, but the solution seems to be a good one.&nbsp; Fans still have the opportunity to get their favorite comics signed, while it politely discourages autograph dealers. 
 
By the way, I personally feel very awkward bringing more than two items to a creator to have signed at once.&nbsp; If I have more than 2 that I want to have signed, I'll take two, then scope out a time when there is little to no line and take the additional item or two back in a second trip.&nbsp; It seems only curteous. 
 
Sorry for the length.&nbsp; My two cents seems to have become at least five bucks. 
Janet</HTML>

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