Unscrupulous people

[Stan Sakai]

I was at Kansas City PlanetCon this weekend,

I had to turn down an invitation to PlanetCon this year, but may be a guest there in 2008.

I did not know it until about a month ago, but it was the same with Sergio. So we may both be there next year.

[Usagi]

I know I am super late in the game to really make a responce worth a point or two- But I also recived an etch from Stan back from AWA- I still have it in my etch book- or somewere....I know its somewere- but the point is- I would never sell it!

There was, however, something Stan sent me, that looking on it now- should have just given to one of your guys, but I dont call what I recived from Stan a gift, but more reference material for comic stuff. I dont think things like that are wrong to sell- what do you think?-- I don't wantto get into deep with the conversation and dont make sence....

but I do agree- If you recive a gift- you should keep it...

[Steve Hubbell]

I remember the item you sold on ebay, a photocopy of a page of a Usagi comic in the actual size, an example of the size and format in which Stan submits his work to the publisher.

Your reason for offering that up for sale was ALSO due to an attempt to raise money to attend the San Diego Con (if I remember correctly) and is not even close to what these convention scavengers do.

You did not specifically impose on Stan for free artwork in order to turn around and sell for a personal profit on ebay.

[Usagi]

Ohhh...Ok!! that makes me feel better- If i read to much on one subject I get lost...and so now that makes me feel better... I think you were also the one who tried biddding on it- if I remember- gosh!-

Now I see what you mean. At first I thought it was like- if An artist gives you something- ig- Stan giving me the Photocopy- and I sell it - but not without producing mass quantays of it- or selling it- in hopes of getting something else, and doing it again-- <--- ugg thats just wrong comming out of my mouth- I would be so upset if someone ever thought that of me.

[Becky-Chan]

I was at Kansas City PlanetCon this weekend,

I had to turn down an invitation to PlanetCon this year, but may be a guest there in 2008.

I did not know it until about a month ago, but it was the same with Sergio. So we may both be there next year.

O_O!!!

You and Sergio showing up in Kansas City would be AWESOME Stan! PlanetCon isn't anything like Wizard World or SDCC, but it's a good little convention and I love it, they had to cancel last years show since the normal venue was undergoing recontruction/renovation, so this year was a little bumpy with the new facility they had, it was at a PlanetCon that I was able to secure my Albedo 2 years ago!

[Lady Keiko_ronin Usagi]

I know I am super late in the game to really make a responce worth a point or two- But I also recived an etch from Stan back from AWA- I still have it in my etch book- or somewere....I know its somewere- but the point is- I would never sell it!

There was, however, something Stan sent me, that looking on it now- should have just given to one of your guys, but I dont call what I recived from Stan a gift, but more reference material for comic stuff. I dont think things like that are wrong to sell- what do you think?-- I don't wantto get into deep with the conversation and dont make sence....

but I do agree- If you recive a gift- you should keep it...

But I can't believe people would do such a disrespectful thing like that!
That is a total insult! Selling off someones artwork like that, thats a shame!

[VENOM]

Stan, first let me say how beautiful that sketch is, it is hard for any Usagi fan to resist such work (however I did ).

Its too bad that people get these pictures and sell them to profit from your Kindness. I am surprised that people would buy an item that has been personalized to another person. I have been pleased with a beautiful sketch that you personally sent me and I cheerish it as my most prized collectible...I can't imagen ever selling it. To receive a beautiful original personalized sketch from your favorite artist is awesome, I just can't understand people...greed I guess.

This one just ended with a $40 + postage winning bid:

eBay Auction

A bunch of us artists have been trying to solve this e-bay thing for years. Some have stopped drawing free sketches completely. Another will do them only for those 12 and under. Those who do draw these freebies will only do so if it is personalized. But even that does not stop it from showing up on e-bay.

Right now, there are four conditions for one of my sketches in the US: 1-supply your own paper; 2-it has to be personalized; 3-I do not do requests; and 4-one per person.

[Judith]

In some way I can understand that people will bid on such an item. I am a big fan that loves Usagi Yojimbo and has great respect for Mr. Sakai's work, but I will never get my hands on other stuff than the comic books that I order. (well, have the numberd wrist watch, all my friends chipped in for my birth day )

Living in Norway, above the polar sircle, getting to meet Mr. Sakai is never happening.

So therefore I can see how people might buy items, but personally I could never do that. The item i a personal gift, and therefor it will never be "mine" if I buy it from others. If you see what I meen.

So, if there were a legal internet auction, I would attend within my price range, that is.

[herotolegend]

What really sucks is. I still have yet to meet Stan. and this almost makes me afraid to even ask him for a sketch. i guess i could always buy some of his comic art if i had the money(which i most likely wont cause i'm poor) lol

[shaxper]

What really sucks is. I still have yet to meet Stan. and this almost makes me afraid to even ask him for a sketch. i guess i could always buy some of his comic art if i had the money(which i most likely wont cause i'm poor) lol

Stan hasn't made up his mind to stop doing sketches yet. And, even if he did, you shouldn't feel bad about asking. If and when you finally do meet Stan, you'll find that he's the nicest guy around. He'd never get upset at such an innocent request.

[c5comics]

The person selling Stan’s sketches on EBay makes me extremely angry. I would kill for a Stan Sakai sketch personalized even. Being an artist myself I wouldn't blame Stan for not doing anymore free sketches. I hope to meet Stan one day he is my hero and inspiration. What ever I can do to help out to prevent future selling’s of this kind just let me know. I’ll let my Comicbook Artists’ Guild chapters know as well what is taking place. Stan you rock!

[Todd Shogun]

What really sucks is. I still have yet to meet Stan. and this almost makes me afraid to even ask him for a sketch. i guess i could always buy some of his comic art if i had the money(which i most likely wont cause i'm poor) lol

Stan hasn't made up his mind to stop doing sketches yet. And, even if he did, you shouldn't feel bad about asking. If and when you finally do meet Stan, you'll find that he's the nicest guy around. He'd never get upset at such an innocent request.

Agreed. Stan is truly the "nicest guy in comics". The problem is, it's always the nice ones who get taken advantage of. But don't be afraid to ask Stan for a sketch. He loves doing them for the fans he meets. It's the vultures who loom around his booth, posing as fans, eager to obtain a free piece of what they'll market as "original art", who should be afraid to ask. Karma will come back and bite them in the butt.

Back when I was 14 years old, in 1988, Stan made my year. I had first met him the previous year at the '87 SDCC (back then probably a lot like what MCCC is today), as a totally anonymous fanboy, got my books signed and even got one of those free convention sketches on a comic book backing board (I was unprepared). I wrote him some fan letters, as typical fans obsessed with comics often do. In one letter I inquired about buying an Usagi drawing, as I had to have a piece of Stan Sakai art. Anyway, around the time UY Vol 1 #8 came out, I received an envelope from Stan, with a signed copy of #8 and an full-on pen-and-ink drawing of Usagi, personalized to me. This was sent to me as an apology for not replying to my inquiry about purchasing Usagi art! Incredible!!
Here's the letter for all to enjoy (being the obsessed fanboy I was I had it perfectly preserved):


In the 20+ years of reading Usagi, I've never once thought of selling anything Stan has given to me as a gift. I have, however, given away some of his gifts to me as gifts to friends who've never had the opportunity to obtain them. My point is that anyone who takes part in the inexcusable act of exploiting this talented man's generosity, after he's given so much to his fans over the decades, should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.

Here's the art Stan sent with the above letter (this also appears immortalized on the 2nd UYD T-Shirt):

[MikeM]

Todd,
That is absolutely fantastic! Thanks for sharing that story and the scan of the letter and artwork.

MikeM

[NakedBoB]

I've been a long time dojo visitor (under various different emails), but I believe this is my first post. I've seen Stan's work (as well as other artists) on Ebay many times over the years but never gave much thought about how @#$%&'d up it is to sell such items. Thanks for bringing up this topic on the mailing list as we fans need to take a bigger stand to protect those who work so hard to keep us entertained.

I've met Stan at a couple conventions over the many years I've been a fan and always make an effort to say "hi!" and maybe ask him autograph a book. I would have never in a million years have thought to ask him to draw the elaborate pieces of art that all these Ebay links point to. I get all giddy when he just doodles the little Usagi face next to his autograph! That's all a true fan really needs.

One of my favorite Stan autographs actually happened when I wasn't there. I couldn't get the time off of work to attend the San Diego Comic-Con one year, but my friend Elise went and without me knowing asked Stan to draw me something:



A naked Usagi! How freakin' neato is that!!! I haven't seen Stan in person since then to thank him, but I guess now's a better time than never. Thanks Stan for going out of your way for us all these years. If you decide to stop doing the fan drawings, they'll surely be missed but I think your true fans will understand and support your decision.

I'm not sure what advice I can offer that hasn't already been said in the various forum posts. I know I'm going to make a big effort to bug Ebay every time I see Stan's work up for sale and let them know that they should take it down. I think if we bug them enough they'll get the idea, as well as the @#$%^&s who sell the items.

Love,
Naked BoB - Usagi fan for almost 20 years

[Colin Solan]

I got one of Stan's Usagi sketches this past weekend too (haven't scanned it). I was at GraniteCon in Nashua, NH and they had a bunch of items donated for a silent auction, one being a signed/sketched hardcover of "Glimpses of Death." I got it for next to nothing! Dang philistines don't know a good thing when it's right in front of them.

As I was leaving I spoke with con promoter Chris Proulx and when he saw the book in my hands he laughed and said when Dark Horse donated it for the auction he had known exactly who was going to win it.