Snoochie Boochies, indeed.
It seems kind of crazy — and makes me feel pretty damn old — to note Kevin Smith’s debut film, “Clerks,” was released in 1994. That’s almost 30 years ago. This film more or less announced Generation X as a thing. No movie really spoke to this generation (my generation) before that, and it became — and has remained — a guidepost of sorts for Gen Xers.
The laissez-faire attitude of the characters — plus the constant refrain of “I’m not even supposed to be here today” — is a pretty good summation of the generation as a whole. (This feeling, I think, was mastered by Mike Judge in “Office Space,” which may end up being a religious text in 2,000 years.)
Anyway, Smith: Born and raised in New Jersey, his movies all have both the Gen X bent along with a decided New Jersey tilt. You can take the boy out of New Jersey …
Now, fans of Smith can own a little piece of him. Well, at least a little piece of his comic art collection, which will be auctioned on September 27 by Bodnar’s Auction.
Smith’s collection features a ton of rare artwork from famous comic book and graphic novels, featuring works from “Preacher,” “Hitman,” “The Demon,” “Batman,” “Green Arrow,” “Daredevil,” “Sandman,” and more.
“My current reduction in home wall space is going to make some ardent comic collectors’ dreams come true,” Smith said in a press release announcing the auction. “Own original interior art or killer covers from my ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Green Arrow’ runs, pick through classic comic book graphics I’ve collected over the years. This will be the sale of the century, and a percentage of our proceeds will go to a scholarship fund at the Joe Kubert School.”
The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art is based in Dover, and is a technical school focused on the art of cartooning.
“I am honored to be working together with Kevin to showcase his collection,” said Joe Bodnar, the auction house’s curator. “Each piece of his collection is unique and beautiful. Personally, I am a ‘Batman’ fan and the pages he has in this sale are all keepers.”
Some highlights include: A collection of ‘Green Arrow’ cover art, estimated at $1,500 to $3,000 each; Smith’s Quick Stops Issue #2 with both the final art and the preliminary pencils and inks; and the rarest piece, a Frank Miller “Daredevil” issue #161 Page #22, pencils by Frank Miller, estimated at over $20,000.
Of course, not everyone is into comic book art, and not everyone is into Kevin Smith, and not everyone is into New Jersey, but for those of you — and I personally know a bunch — whose interests create the above Venn Diagram, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Pre-bidding is happening now at bodnarsauction.com, and people interested in seeing the collection up close can view it in-person — and by appointment — on September 26.
For further information about this historic auction and to register as a bidder, please visit www.bodnarsauction.com or contact Joe Bodnar at joebodnar@bodnarsauction.com or at 866-349-7378.
Now I’m just hoping Smith casts me as an old, crusty, newspaper columnist in his next film.