Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: HRL, metropolis, Metropolis Gallery, new york comic con, The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead Original Art That's To Die For At Metropolis Gallery

Published Sat, 14 Oct 2017 12:00:33 -0500

Not too long ago, we told you about an exhibit currently currently showing at the Metropolis Gallery; The World's Greatest Walking Dead Collection. Last week during New York Comic Con, I made my way to the Gallery to check it out in person. I got to enjoy the exhibit — complete with shambling zombie — while I was in NYC for New York Comic Con. If you're able to visit the Metropolis Gallery between now and December, do so! You won't be let down!

The exhibit is open for viewing Tuesday – Friday, 11am-5pm until December 1st. Metropolis Gallery is located at 36 West 37th Street, 6th Floor.

"This show features the best of everything," says Vincent Zurzolo, Metropolis Gallery curator and co-owner of Metropolis Collectibles, "from the highest-grade copy of the first comic book in the series…to Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard's original art featuring iconic scenes…to concept art created by the late, great John Watkiss to inspire the TV production."

The exhibit precedes a massive Walking Dead auction—featuring the first auction of the more than 500 pieces of art and 750 comic books—ending on December 5th and on Metropolis' online auction site, ComicConnect.com. The collection is valued at $500,000.

Remarkably, it all belongs to a single consignor, James Johnson, a contractor on the Jersey shore whose passion for zombies dates back to George Romero's horror classic, Night of the Living Dead. He started his collection after getting hooked on the TV series in 2010. "I started by collecting TV props," says Johnson, who also collects baseball cards, stamps, gas promo trucks and toy soldiers. "Like many people, I didn't even know the show was based on a comic book. But once I found out, I became obsessed with building the ultimate collection of Walking Dead comics and comic art—I'm a completist."

But now Johnson is giving other collectors a chance to gorge on his treasures. These include the highest-grade copy of Walking Dead #1—which holds a 9.9 CGC rating out of a possible 10—and artwork featuring favorite characters such as Rick, Michonne, Negan, The Governor, Ezekiel, Tyreese, Glenn and more.

"The Walking Dead is a worldwide phenomenon," says Zurzolo. "Yes, it's about zombies, but what hooks people in is watching people make their way in a post-apocalyptic world without rules—and of course, with zombies. This collection is a phenomenon, too, because of its breadth and depth. There's nothing like it."