Picture this: an unremarkable notice, sitting quietly on the webpage of esteemed art dealer Albert Moy. It had been there for months, biding its time, patiently waiting for its moment in the spotlight. The notice detailed pricing for a rare Jim Lee commission set to be exclusively delivered at comic shows the veteran artist is attending. It’s been over 15 years since Lee last took commissions and his loyal followers were likely chomping at the bit to snatch up a coveted spot.

“For the first time in over 15 years,” the notice reads in a desolate tone, “Jim Lee will be taking commission requests to be delivered exclusively almost at all shows he is appearing at.” You can almost hear the collective gasp of the comic fandom. But as these things always seem to go, not all attendees can wear the crown. There is a limit to six per show; one must act fast to secure a chance.

So, one might wonder what this gold-lined offer includes. Pencils gripped firmly by Jim Lee himself will render awe-inspiring characters of your choosing. A masterfully crafted, 11×17 inches, full-figure character with limited backgrounds? That will set you back $20,000. Craving a bit more? More than one character; additional backgrounds or the recreation of other covers not authored by Jim himself might stretch your purse strings between $25,000 and $35,000. And it’s all justified by the indisputable fact that they are crisp, bellyful products of one of the most acclaimed artists of his generation.

As the saying goes, ‘you get what you pay for.’ But in the case of Lee’s work, this takes on a new level of truth.

Suppose you find yourself resentful of those more financially endowed. In that case, there’s still hope for you yet in the form of a smaller offering. A small headshot for the modest sum of $1000 provides its benefactor with 3.25×7 inches of side profile glory. By no means a consolation prize. The indignant squawks that rippled through cyberspace seemed spoken from both sides of the mouth. On the one hand, $20,000 is a steep price for a single piece of artwork. But on the other, is it not fitting compensation for someone who has shaped the landscape of comic art with passion projects over the years touching the X-Men, Punisher, Batman, Superman, and Fantastic 4?

It would be remiss to construe Jim Lee’s commissions as a means to fleece his dedicated following. As Kevin Maguire pertinently pointed out, if a collector purchases a $1,000 commission and then resells it for $20,000, the artist should indeed benefit from that value. And let’s not forget, Lee is no careerist capitalist. The man is a relentless art machine, dishing out free sketches at panels and via his Twitch stream. The circle of the art world keeps spinning as fans turn around and sell his generous giveaways for around $1000.

Let’s all step back for a moment and reflect. Jim Lee is not just a comic artist. He is both the Chief Creative Officer and President of DC Comics, roles not known for their ample downtime. Somehow, he still manages to churn out art for DC and give generously to his fans, all while juggling family life with nine children in tow. It’s not an endeavor for the faint-hearted.

As the waters of the commission debate continue to roil, just remember one thing. There’s an entire ocean of talented artists at your local comic conventions, all eager to share their craft. You don’t have to shell out thousands to appreciate the beauty of comic artistry. Just navigate wisely, with an eye on those up-and-coming superstars, and you may well land yourself an affordable masterpiece. After all, comic art is not just about the established big-hitters, but also about those artists diligently honing their skills on the ground floor.
As to whether or not one believes a Jim Lee commission is worth $9,000 to $35,000, that’s all part of the charm of capitalism, isn’t it? The artist’s value is in the eye of the investor. And in a world as vibrant and varied as comic art, every artist’s work holds untold value, both monetary and sentimental.

Case closed.