Remarks on Remarks and Homages

Addressing a new frequently asked question about signings.

TO SIGN, OR NOT TO SIGN? THAT IS THE QUESTION

Hey everyone! Today’s subject is an odd one for me but we’re getting a lot of questions about this so I thought instead of just pointing people to the FAQ, I’d talk about it here with you all.

Megan gets several emails leading up to conventions and signings with questions like these.

“Will Skottie sign a book that another artist has remarked?”

“Will Skottie sign a homage variant cover?”

And then other similar questions regarding the subject of me signing books with other artists work on it. We usually give the short answer which is, unfortunately, NO. Since the requests are coming in more frequently, we thought it would be good to give the long answer. Prepare yourself, I have to refer to myself in the third person and as a collectible. I’m aware that it’s pretty wacky, but this is a wacky biz and that’s how it goes. Just laugh at me along with me. haha.

HOMAGES

I’m no stranger to homaging a classic cover or work of art, movie poster, etc. One of my favorite things in the world is Mad Magazine which is a publication that homages and parodies everything from art, movies, politics, and just about any other subject you can think of. I do think there’s some loose but integral rules to homaging that I try to follow, but since I’m not an expert or authority on the subject, I’ll keep all that to myself. I’ll stick to the subject of signing homage covers. Let’s take two of mine and apply the question.

New X-Men 42

This homage cover isn’t just paying tribute to an amazing painting by Norman Rockwell, it’s relating to the context and visual narrative of his piece. Rockwell’s piece features a young girl who has been beat up but seems proud to have stood up for herself. ON my X-Men cover, I homaged that idea as much as the image. Rockslide called his best friend something offensive and Anole fought with him. He stood up for himself against someone much bigger than him. The pride is clear. Cyclops and Emma Frost are in the office trying to decide what’s to be done. There was context and narrative- reason to celebrate this work of art. Now, let’s answer the question. If Rockwell was alive, would I expect him to sign this?

NOPE.

He has nothing to do with the story, the cover, the interior art. I was paying homage to him and his work. His signature on it wouldn’t make sense. However, it could confuse a collector who might assume that if it has Rockwell’s signature on it, that he himself had something to do with the image and would skew their perception of the value of the book.

X-Men 141 Facsimile

This is my Young Marvel homage to Byrne’s classic cover of X-Men 141 on a reprint of the actual issue of X-Men 141. This is one of the most homaged comic book covers out there and it felt more than fitting to do my parody version of it for the reprint. Would I expect Byrne to sign this book?

MAYBE or MAYBE NOT. haha.

See, nuance is important. Unlike Rockwell and X-Men 42, this is actually Brynes comic. Regardless of the cover, the rest of the issue is his. So, this is a case of personal preference. I could see a world where he would say NO and that’s completely fine. But also, if he wanted to, it’s still 100% his comic with a variant cover on it. Further more, there’s no way to confuse my cover for his. They’re the same idea but the difference is night and day.

I’ve seen clever homages of my work on books that have nothing to do with me other than the homage cover. I won’t sign those books. I’ve also seen homages to my work on books that have nothing to do with me that are tracing my work nearly line for line and just adding things. I won’t sign those either.

General rule. If I did’t write or draw the book, or do the cover on it, I won’t sign it.

REMARKS

Again, I’m no authority on this subject, but to me, a remark is an original drawing/sketch by an artist on a comic book, print, poster, etc. These are usually done during a signing along with a signature. I do some from time to time but not at conventions or signings outside of CGC. Here are a few examples of my remarks.

The newest request we’re getting from several artists, dealers and buyers is…

“Will Skottie sign books with remarks by other artists on his covers/over his artwork?”

This one is interesting. Mostly because these are not “remarks” in my opinion. I’ve seen several artists painting over the my art on the cover and adding elements, adding new characters, or changing the characters completely, etc., but still keeping the structure, style, shape and overall feel of my cover. This is an altered/manipulated version of my art. In my opinion, it’s altered to the point where it’s not longer my art, but also not completely the art of the artist doing the altering. It’s more like a collaboration but one of the parties wasn’t aware they were part of the collaboration.

Besides the fact that it’s not completely my art anymore after the alteration, the reason I don’t sign these kinds of pieces is that I believe they are confusing to buyers/collectors. I absolutely believe that some collectors will purchase these and think they are buying a remark by me on my cover. It’s a Skottie Young cover with a remark and my signature is printed on the book. Even when signed, it’s confusing. The could think maybe that’s the signature of the interior artist. Or The writer. Or…you see all the possibilities here. Some are so subtle, even I though it was mine once and signed it by accident.

I’m not knocking anyones hustle or judging anyone for making these kinds of things. I just know I spend a lot of time working on these covers and when it’s altered so drastically, signed by someone else, then presented back to me as a completely different piece of art and then I’m asked to sign it, I have to pass. I wouldn’t want to confuse anyone by adding false value to something that’s no longer the piece of art I originally made.

To wrap up, I just want to say I’m not sitting here swinging the gavel and judging anyone for anything when it comes to homages or remarks. I’m simply explaining my opinions on both and how it affects my choice to sign books or not, and to help clarify to all the people emailing in and asking. My reasons are my own and I don’t expect anyone else to follow my lead or agree with me.

I have so much love for the artists, collectors, and retailer/sellers out there. We’re all in this for our love of comics. I’ll say it again, I’m no authority but I do my best to make sure we’re fair to everyone and that we protect our value as well as the value of the all the books and art you all work so hard to pay for.

See you all at the cons!