Philip Bladen's Comic Art Collection: Collector Origin Story & Show & Tell

The Collector's Origin Story

• 💡 Philip Bladen's journey began as a child, discovering comics through 7-Eleven Slurpee cups and neighborhood garage sales in East Lansing, Michigan.
• 📌 His early exposure to comics was influenced by a friend who collected, leading him to explore local comic shops like the renowned Curious Bookstore.
• 🚀 Philip took a significant break from collecting comics and art from 1985 until around 2012-2013, with his passion reignited by the Marvel movies.

Early Comic & Art Discoveries

• 🎨 Philip first encountered original comic art at conventions in the early to mid-80s, observing stacks of art for sale.
• 🔑 His first original art purchases were in 1992-1993, acquiring a Sal Buscema Thor splash page and a Hulk page, marking the start of his art collecting.
• 📚 The Curious Bookstore played a crucial role, being connected to Power Comics and the publication of Fantasy Quarterly, which featured the first Elfquest story.

Indie Comics & Unique Art

• ✨ Philip's collection features significant indie works, including a Howard Chaykin American Flagg! page, which he considers one of his favorites from that era.
• 💥 He cherishes a Don Simpson Savage Dragon vs. Megaton Man page, particularly for his love of Megaton Man's satirical style and Don Simpson's exaggerated line work.
• 🔬 Other indie highlights include Steve Lieber's Whiteout, praised for its detail and storytelling, and a Nicola Scott Black Magick double-page splash, noted for its inkwash technique and supernatural police procedural narrative.
• 🧩 A unique piece is the Ice Cream Man #32 homage cover by Martin Morazzo, from a highly innovative and critically acclaimed horror anthology series.

Mainstream Heroes & Iconic Art

• 🦸 His collection includes classic mainstream art like a Jack Kirby Eternals page, valued for its 60s Kirby flourishes and storytelling.
• 🌌 Philip also owns a Gray Morrow Space: 1999 page, highlighting his appreciation for the Eagles spacecraft design and Morrow's character likenesses.
• ⚡ Notable pieces feature a Curt Swan & Murphy Anderson Superman page, showcasing sci-fi Superman, and a Bob Layton Hercules page, which he believes influenced the MCU's portrayal of Thor.
• ⚔️ A Brian Bolland Camelot 3000 page is a prized possession, representing his favorite artist's exquisite line work and dynamic compositions.

Reflections on Collecting

• 💬 Philip acknowledges the fluctuating market values for art, noting how some pieces (like American Flagg!) might be undervalued while others (like Ice Cream Man) see renewed interest due to adaptations.
• ⚠️ He shares a humorous anecdote about a Steve Lieber Whiteout page where the artist removed a craft tint piece, highlighting the unpredictable nature of original art acquisition.
• 💖 The Charles Addams Wednesday Addams illustration holds special meaning, combining his hobby with his wife's favorite character and acquired through a significant trade.
• ✅ His Sal Buscema Thor title splash remains a cornerstone, being his very first original art piece and a testament to his enduring passion for the hobby.