Any tips for Image Expo first timers?

[Rip67vdub]

So Image Expo is rolling into town next month in San Fran. My son is a big McFarlane fan and my wife, a big Snyder fan. For me, I like them both. In terms of sigs, would Spawn #1 and Wytches #1 be good candidates for long term value? Opinions, altenatives, suggestions, etc are welcomed.

[Stat Monsters]

I'd opt for something that not everyone is getting signed. To a degree, I'd even challenge to say getting "the best (most valuable)" book signed could be a flawed strategy for the long term since there's a lot of collectors out there who devalue books even with a CGC signature series because of the aftermarket alteration/damage, called an autograph, and would rather just have a clean copy, no signatures.

Then, you figure everyone is getting Spawn #1 signed, and there's millions printed, so that book itself isn't worth a lot even in high grade.

I'd probably opt for maybe a different issue of Spawn, like the 1st app of Angela or the last issue McFarlane illustrated or your son's favorite cover, then there's a lower population of those signed books that would impact long term value due to the lower population, especially once McFarlane passes away and can't sign which probably won't be in our lifetimes, but maybe in your son's, when a signature truly becomes valuable (deceased autographs vs signatures of those who sign regularly).

Getting comic books signed is kinda "blah" in many ways, similarly to back in the days, getting an athlete to sign a trading card.

If they're big fans, you should try to opt for a photo with 'em for the memories, and then ask McFarlane to sign maybe a Spawn action figure or something that's meaningful for your son, as I doubt the value benefit of his autograph has any huge upside compared to the upside of the experience of your son's memory of his dad taking him to Image Expo for fun.

As for Scot Snyder, writers usually don't carry a whole lot of value, unless you're Alan Moore or Neil Gaiman, so again, just get the book your wife loves the most to get signed and even personalized or inscribed for the memories.

What you might do to surprise your wife is bring a birthday card for her, blank, have Scott sign it with a greeting inscription personalized to her, then when her birthday rolls around in 2015, you'll have a cool surprise gift to give her if he's willing to do something.

The key to Image Expo and other shows and getting signatures from popular creative celebrities is to show up early, stand in line waiting early and invest in that more so than just show up and wait in an even longer line for a longer time and possibly get shut out.

[IndySportsCards]

You might be able to find a nice one in this collection of Marvel Todd McFarlane covers (http://marvel.wikia.com/Category:Todd_McFarlane/Cover_Artist)

[Rip67vdub]

Thanks Indy and Stat! Great feedback. Much appreciated.

[Cyber Warrior]

Just to throw out another idea.. my favorite thing about McFarlane has always been the collection of homage covers.. which I own 90% of :D

Besides getting the popular Spawn #1 signed.. which is nice by the way. maybe your son would like a set of homage covers signed and framed? (if its in your budget) ...the Spider-man #1 can be picked up fairly cheap and its a great looking cover with a classic pose.. the original artwork for the cover just sold for close to $700,000 ...the most expensive comic book art ever sold.

The silver, gold and regular covers make a nice set.. or by themselves.
http://i.imgur.com/73XSiYC.jpg

For long term value.. Amazing Spider-Man #300 is always a good one.
Here's my Spidey #1 and Spawn #1 signed and framed.. looks great :)!
http://i.imgur.com/eCPIbAx.jpg

[jasonadkins]

I didn't have any books for McFarlane to sign at SDCC, so I handed him a blank board and asked if he could do a quick Spawn symbol on it. He took up pretty much the entire board for this one: (and if the Spawn symbol doesn't look perfect, it's because he was standing up, not at a table during SDCC)

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c332/vegasprospects/null_zps7e686e91.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/vegasprospects/media/null_zps7e686e91.jpg.html)