Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, image expo, robert kirkman, walking dead

Robert Kirkman Paid For My Wedding

Published Tue, 09 Jul 2013 17:00:52 -0500

Last updated Tue, 09 Jul 2013 17:03:09 -0500

Frazer Brown writes; Richmond To Sarasota Part Two

Robert Kirkman paid for my wedding!

Well, sort of, vicariously…let me explain…

Eagle-eyed Bleeding Cool readers may remember my previous article (one might say 'Opus') entitled "RICHMOND TO SARASOTA", which detailed my efforts to flip copies of The Walking Dead issue #1 for quick profit and the ordeal that ensued. If not, I can abbreviate:

Last year I bought a few copies of The Walking Dead Issue 1 and had them CGC'd (in the end 3 x 9.8's and an 8.5). It was a difficult experience and involved me travelling to the CGC Headquarters in Sarasota, Florida, to collect my booty; a journey that included a rather random segue to attend The Walking Dead Maze at Universal Studios. During this time my Fiancee and I had set off on a tour of the world which was supposed to last a year; but, 8 months into the trip, with our finances running low, we decided to return to the UK to sell the comics, to fund the next portion of our journey. That's when I decided to document the ups and downs for anybody hoping to do the same thing.

I listed the comics on ebay last year in the hopes of a quick turnaround, which is where I left you last.

Initially the books sat on ebay for around three months with lots of watchers but no buyers. We had decided to book the 2^nd part of our journey regardless and in the meantime had settled on a September 2013 date for our wedding. I was starting to become concerned as I was (rather stupidly) banking on selling the comics to fund the majority of these things.

I was already somewhat behind financially on the initial investment with all of the problems and travel involved in CGC'ing them in the first place, so there was a very real threat of only just breaking even.

Then in January I sold THE LOT on ebay! A gentleman from Canada paid well over the odds for the issues, I packaged them up ready to go and awaited posting instructions, which is where the problem started. First he wanted them sent to Canada, then an unregistered address in the USA (there is no protection on ebay for unregistered addresses) then he asked for them to be sent to a different address. In the end I refused and gave him a refund. Unfortunately, I had listed them under the US ebay site, which meant with a strong Canadian dollar and a shift in the exchange rate I lost money refunding him, I was another £250 down for the privilege of not selling them.

Next was the guy who bought them and I never heard from again. Ebay refused to refund my final value fees. More money gone. Thanks pal.

After that fool, was the gentleman whose "child" had accidently bought 3 copies by playing with his iPad. The transaction was cancelled and this time I received my fees back.

We had one week to go before setting off on Part Two of our travels. Which is when I sold all bar one of the issues, as well as a handful of Thief of Thieves.

Money in the bank, we were on our way, and set off on our trip. Six months later after crossing Asia, Indonesia, Australasia and French Polynesia in a fitting end to the saga, and in continuance of the many weird coincidences that has seen The Walking Dead enter my life this last year or so, I found myself in San Francisco, sitting at a table at the Image expo after party with Robert Kirkman and Erik Larsen, explaining the whole story.

Robert Kirkman was very amused by the tale and quite shocked by the amount the comics went for, his disbelief that they could be so loved was quite endearing, the revelation of a $12,000.00 copy for sale lead to Erik Larsen asking Robert for some 'comp' copies.

It was a very surreal and fun way to end my 'Walking Dead' funded journey. Mr Kirkman, Genial Gent that he is, chatted to me for a while about the trip then took time to pose for a few pics (even lifting me up and throwing his back out – sorry man). He then dedicated a variant copy of WD #112 which will be displayed with pride at our wedding reception later in the year.

Inscribed:

"Dear Cassie and Frazer! Best wishes on the whole marriage thing! I hope it lasts forever! – Robert Kirkman"

So, is it easy to flip a comic for profit? Not really, in my case it took 1 Year, a trip across Florida, many brushes with The Walking Dead brand and a party with the creator to conclude the adventure. But what a journey! I met some very cool folks (some of which are coming over to the UK for the wedding). And met the guy who created the comic that paid for the whole thing.

I have one month left of my journey and I hope the coincidences and weird turns of my trip continue to mount up (btw Robert Kirkman is from Richmond {Nebraska} as well!).

If I'm not having breakfast with Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus by the end of 'Comic Con' I'm going to be very upset.

So how much does it cost to circumnavigate the globe and pay for a wedding? Approx:

3 x Walking Dead #1 9.8

1 x Walking Dead #1 8.5

4 x Thief of Thieves #1 9.8

2 x Thief of Thieves #2 9.8

1 x Thief of Thieves #3-6 9.8

So Thank You Mr Kirkman for creating the comic in the first place. Thank You AMC for making it a huge televisual hit. Thank you Eric Stephenson for taking a punt on The Walking Dead, Thank you speculators for driving up the price to ridiculous levels and Thankyou the people who currently own these issues. This last year of my life was all made possible by you.

My Marriage takes place in September; Mr Kirkman there is a seat at the Head Table waiting for you if you find yourself in Richmond (Surrey).

p.s: If you want to help pay for my wedding reception I HAVE 1 COPY LEFT on ebay.

Frazer Brown is an award winning film and theatre producer, writer and director, he will be at comic con this year for the first time, you can follow him on twitter @comicconvirgin.

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