Going Back To The Same Old Well

A quick post on two recent sketch cards I treated myself to. Shockingly, it was only two. Not shockingly, they come from the Cryptozoic Archer set I absolutely adore.

Elvin Hernandez is the artist on this Malory piece and I am nearing a literal handful of his creations. This and its compatriot below were some of the last affordable ones online, and specifically some of the last I like from an artistic standpoint. I buy a lot but there are some I will pass on unless they drop in price by 50% or more.

Joe Rubinstein makes another appearance with this Cheryl/Carol.

Bloody Ferlin

Multi-character Archer sketch cards hold an even more special place in my heart now because single-character sketches have jumped in price. I can justify "standard" sketch card purchases so I've started to realize I should go up in the price I am willing to pay for multiple characters and awesome artwork. Today's featured piece is a prime example of that:

Episode 9 of Season 3 -- "Bloody Ferlin" -- is a phenomenal episode of the show and this Gillette and Cheryl tag team effort is pure beauty. Emily Riggsby is the artist and this scene was so, so funny. It sat on eBay for some time before I finally reached out to the seller. We went back and forth but a deal was struck and this baby is now a permanent piece of my collection.

Lana With Those Hoop Earrings

A quick post as I need this scan up as soon as possible. Archer sketches don't usually come cheap any more, but when they do I tend to jump on them as long as the artwork is even remotely good. It's always better than the art I could produce, but I need to be a little discerning so I don't go broke.

Lana Kane joins the club, with this piece being another from the mind of Josef Rubinstein that will join my hopefully never-ending collection of Archer sketches and assorted goodies.

Barry, Or Other Barry. Who Can Say.

The cardboard gods were shining upon me recently when I spotted the below up for auction on eBay and my winning bid not only held but held up at about half of what I expected it would sell for if it sold for a low amount.

Joe Hogan and his rendition of Bartholomew Aloysius "Barry" Dylan joins my Archer PC at a time when I've been able to add a number of sketches. However, I know full well a dry spell is almost certainly right around the corner.

But while it lasts, I will truly cherish every sketch pickup!

Joy Of A Completed Set: 2001 Inkworks The Simpsons Mania! Autographs (!!)

Sometimes the last card you need for a set is difficult to track down. Sometimes that card is expensive. And sometimes both of those team up to make it a nightmare to complete a project. The below is an example of a piece of cardboard that fell into both categories and laughed at me as I pursued it.

The 2001 Inkworks The Simpsons Mania! autograph set ran 7 cards deep and features everyone you would want outside of Julie Kavner, who did not sign for either Simpsons' set I worked on. I started at a time when none were outlandish, but being a 20ish year old set made them a fun challenge. Eventually the market caught up and all jumped up in price with Nancy Cartwright being the toughest and most financially draining.

Nancy was the last I needed and I lost out on many an auction and had to let many others pass me by because I simply could not justify the price point. Eventually I relented and found a price I was comfortable with. I don't recall if it was an auction, BIN, or Best Offer as it's been a year and a half.

All that matters now is it is mine!

If grading were actually affordable I might go that route with both sets just because it would look cool and provide security, but it's not affordable and the less money I put into the hobby now, the better I feel.

My personal Springfield continues to grow a little bigger.