The final numbers on the fundraiser

I share the final numbers with you guys:

Official ebay sales for completed auctions totaled $2,124.30. Roughly $350 of that had to be refunded with another $50 or so eat up in fees from paypal and ebay, but the wonderful and generous people of Your Mom's Basement made up for that with the Save Thomas' Ass fund raiser because i had to cover it or Missionfish, ebay's charity handler, was taking it directly out of my bank account, refunds to buyers or not. They also tagged another $300 or so onto it, all said and done YMB donations totaling well over $700, the rich so and sos.

So that's $2,124.30, the $300 extra from YMB, plus around another $400-500 I've gotten word of folks donating directly to the Candlelighters after hearing about this whole thing. It short, some where right around the neighborhood of three grand went to help out some sick kids and their families.

From my own family's experience, I can't begin to explain to you how far that will go. The Candlelighters were amazing to us. Did you know just parking at the Houston Medical Center costs $12 a day? That adds up QUICK. There's a ton of little things like that people never think of, but the Candlelighters do, and they help you deal with them.

I'm shipping some of the art tomorrow, then the rest that i have in hand on my next day off. This is just about all done now. It was interesting.

I'll have a very lengthy post about this whole experience from beginning to conclusion soon. I want to get it down for posterity.

Stuff! That you can buy! And then hang on your wall!

Round two of the auctions end this morning with not a DC property in sight. Time to get in those last minute bids for:

An original ink/brush drawing of Wolverine by David Mack.

A pin up of the cast of Scurvy Dogs by Manny Bello.

A sculpture all about the love by Erin Jameson.

The men who would be Captain America by Marcus Kelligrew.

A First Moon pin up by Tony Talbot.

The cast of LOST by Jim Muniz.

Barry Ween pin up by Judd Winnick.

An Astronauts in trouble pin up by Jeff Parker.

A Milk and Cheese/World's Funnest pin up by Evan Dorkin.

I've asked every one in my family to buy the Evan Dorkin piece for me. They all said "Milk and Cheese? Mixlpltik? What the hell are you talking about?" And then I said. "You don't get me! You never will!" and locked the door to my room and listened to the Cure and my angst. Wait, that reference kind of dates me, huh? What do the whiny kids like these days? Them Fallout Boys or some such?

I'm going to be at training for my terrible new job for a few hours today, so I'm going to miss the end of this round as it happens. This afternoon when I get home around 2-3 PM US central time (8-9 PM GMT) I'll be relisting the Paul Salvi Superman Rogues Gallery piece, with the WB's blessing, as finale to all this. So you guys look forward to that. It really is an awesome piece by the way. And now it's famous!

What I've decided to do

I've already pulled the auctions from round two of the fund raiser that featured Warner Bros properties. I am going to refund and return the art from the first round that featured DC characters so they cannot point at me and say "Look at the money you've made from our properties."

Should things get straightened out with the WB and I get their permission, I can always relist the items later.

Some updates about the Warner Bros thing

This is just kind of rambling and thinking out loud, but I wanted to reply to some things I've seen said online about this.

1 Yes, I know I was legally wrong. I was just naive about how strictly DC enforces these things because there are dozens of pieces of art on ebay featuring their properties at any given time and I know of other charities that have used donations similar to mine. I just thought this would slip under the radar like artists selling sketches at conventions.

2 Warner Bros pulled two auctions, both already completed. One had been paid for, one had not. The one paid for has been refunded, though I'm not sure if I'm still obligated to ebay's charity handler for the final price.

3 I pulled the active auctions featuring Warner Bros properties. No, I'm not going to be relisting them.

4 I may be canceling the bids on the other completed auctions and issuing refunds. Since this is already on the Warner Brothers legal department's radar, I'm not sure having accepted money for art featuring their characters is a good idea. I'm not sure what to do there yet.

5 The money thing I mentioned. The ebay fees won't be that much, and if I issue refunds paypal doesn't charge me anything. But, the way ebay's charity handler works is you give them your final information and then make a donation based on the final price of the auctions. Technically, these auctions did end, so I may have to pay for them any way. I have until the 19th to get them their money. Which sucks.

6 Please don't send nasty emails to DC. They probably have no idea this even happened. What probably happened here was some suit saw something for sale with Superman on it and didn't go any further.

7 I'll likely be shutting down SIB once the dust has cleared here. I've sort of lost my enthusiasm for promoting WB's products, and I've been told lots of times I sold people on some Superman comic or toy or whatever.

Warner Bros is cancelling the Superman auctions

First and foremost, at its core, this is all about helping out some kids. So donate some money to the candlelieghters while you're here.

Also, follow the link at the end of the post for lots more information about what's going on here.





I messed up. I just got notice that two of the Superman related auctions have been removed from the site and the rest are probably next. I don't know what to do now. I have to start canceling auctions and issuing refunds. That means all the fees and such I'm now responsible for which is money i just don't have, and I have no idea if I'm still obligated to the middleman ebay uses for their charity auctions.

I've gone ahead and canceled the auctions still running that featured Warner Bros properties. I'm not sure what to do about the ones (like the ones that were canceled by DC) that are already completed. I'll be talking to ebay, paypal, missionfish (the people that handle ebay's charity donations) the artists and auction winners.

ALL ARTISTS! If you have done a DC comics related piece, DO NOT MAIL IT! KEEP IT! If I already have it, I'll ship it back to you ASAP. Or, if your piece is not DC related and you just don't want to part of this any more for whatever reason, please say so. I'll understand completely.

I am heartbroken. I am really sorry to any one this is any trouble for. Legally, I was in the wrong. I used their intellectual property without their permission. I'm not going to play the victim on that front. I swear I just wanted to do something good.

My most sincere apologies to every one involved; artists, buyers and people who helped me promote the auctions.

Edit- You can read all the posts I've made about what's going on by clicking here.

A reminder!

Round one of the auctions end this morning! Go get your last minute bids in! I'll be posting links to round two later today.

BUY SOME STUFF!

I don't know if you guys have seen me mention this, but I've kind of got this charity fundraiser thing going. Lots of cool stuff, you know. The first batch of auctions are up and running, please to be perusing:

Transmetropoliton Page by Darick Robertson!

Astronauts In Trouble page Charlie Adlard and Larry Young!

Batman and Robin illustration by Bard!

Superman's rogues gallery by Paul Salvi!

Daredevil ink painting by David Mack!

Commission by Erik Burnham!

Original illustration by Joe England!

Jennie 2.5 illustration by Brian Wood!

Chibi Comics illustration and commission lot!

Original fantasy piece by L. Beauvilin!

Heroes illustrations by Scott Sava!

Spider-man illustration by Matt Linton!

Spider-Man ink painting by David Mack!

Supergirl illustration by Mike Netzer!

Supergirl drawing and lots of cool Love and Capes swag from Thom Zahler!

Batmobile illustration by Eric Stettmeier!

Superman illustration by Dave Bertrand!

Cerebus Six Deadly Sins print portfolio autographed by Dave Sim!

Superman on a dinosaur print by Chris Haley!

Commission by Jeffrey Brown!


And that's this weeks listings. Don't forget! Lots more stuff is going up next week! Now bid! Bid like the wind!

Somebody said I needed a press release

So my friend Aaron helped me out. Please ship this around to all your favorite comic news sites, blogs, and forums. Thanks, folks. If you've followed the link in the press release here, awesome! The post directly below this one has all you need to know (or click the link to the right).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Say It Backwards is proud to announce the launch of “Ben’s Charity Art Auction,” a series of auctions featuring original work from many artists (pro, amateur and in between), benefiting the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (http://www.candlelighters.org/).

The first round of auctions start Saturday, May 3, 2008 on ebay under the user name MisterMxy, with a second series beginning Saturday, May 10, 2008.

Art donated includes work from: David Mack, Evan Dorkin, Michael Netzer, Tom Beland, Brian Wood, Judd Winnick, Darick Robertson, Charlie Adlard, Jeff Parker, Manny Bello, Tony Talbert, Jim Muniz, Joe England, Thom Zahler, Paul Salvi, Eric Stettmeier, Sarah Shemilt, Erin Jameson, Matt Hansel, Marcus Kelligrew, Marty Allen, Richard Basey, Tommy Allison, Ryan Estrada, Jesse Farrell, James Figueiredo, Chris Haley, Matt Linton, Adam Murray, Wyatt Owens, Chet Presley, and many, many more.

About the Candlelighters: The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation National Office was founded in 1970 by concerned parents of children with cancer. Today they have a membership of over 50,000 in the national office and more than 100,000 more across the country including parents of children who are being treated or have been treated for cancer, children with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer, immediate or extended family members, bereaved families, health care professionals and educators.

About Say It Backwards: It's a silly blog about the humor and hope to be found in Superman and his world.

More information can be found at http://sayitbackwards.blogspot.com

Any questions or submissions should be emailed to Thomas at sayitbackwards@gmail.com

Ben's Charity Art Auction official information

THE WHAT
A series of auctions featuring original art from many, many artists; pro, amateur and in between.

THE WHY
My nephew Ben got sick, and an organization called the Candlelighters helped our family out. I'd like to try to help others. Proceeds from the auction are going to the Candlelighters.

THE WHEN and WHERE
The auctions start May 3, 2008 on ebay under the user name MisterMxy (links to the listing can be seen here as well).

You can see many (but far from all!) of the great pieces already donated by clicking here.

If you're an artist, there's still time to participate! Just get me a scan of what you'd like to donate by May 9, or scans of your previous work if you'd like to offer a commission. Details can be read at the bottom of this post.

BIG GIANT IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR ARTISTS! There are so many donations a second round of auctions will be going up as soon as the first batch ends! So if you'd like to participate, you've got another week to get a scan in of your donation!

A list of participating artists can be seen here.

I'd also like every one who reads this to download this flier and ask your local comic shop to put it in their window or to let you leave a small stack of them laying around the shop some where. You can also ask artists to donate something! There's still time!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at all at sayitbackwards@gmail.com

More you say?

Okay. More. But only because you asked nicely.

David Mack is the mayor of cool town

Whetting your appetite for the charity auctions further, proof that David Mack is one of the most generous guys working in comics. Four original pieces done for the auction:





I don't suppose any one wants to buy me the Superman, huh? No? Damned brilliant artists constantly donating cool stuff.

Wanna see something cool?

Another preview of some of the stuff going up on the auction block this weekend; thanks to Larry Young.

Donation preview extravaganza!

Did I spell extravaganza right? Probably not. I'm lame. Two things:

1 The official artist list is WAAAAYYY out of date. Because I suck. But this weekend it will be updated with every participating artist. Literally DOZENS of folks. So if you feel I've overlooked you, I am SO sorry and that is absolutely not my intention. I'll be scanning donations, updating the list, finalizing things with ebay's charity partner, the whole shmeer. I am on the ball!

2 I think I've contacted ever participating artist. I think. But if you have not heard from me, as always, please contact me again.

Anyhoo, look at some of the cool swag!

IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER UPDATE!

I'm sending a reminder around to all the participating artists that the auctions go live in 2 weeks, and to request a scan of the work be made available to me by May first for listing on the third.

Scans can be sent to sayitbackwards@gmail.com

Also, could you please pass this along to any folks you've recruited.

And once again, thank you all.

If you have not heard from me, it is because I'm lame and overwhelmed just a little bit. Please try to get in touch with me again about anything you would like to do to help.

Charity auction fliers! Make with the download!

If you didn't know, my friend Jesse is awesome. I love that image of a character that is a legally distinct entity with coincidental similarities to Superman. It has an elegance about it.

Print out your own and ask your local funnybook store to put it in their window!

Print quality pdf of a:
Full sheet
Four quarter sheets

Thanks to my very good friend Elias for hosting those.

Quick post

I know, it seems these are all that I do these days. But things are crazy lately. Regular updates will resume this weekend, cause I've got so much i want to talk about. The Siegel ruling, Jim Mooney, some funny posts, all kinds of stuff. But I just wanted to say go check out the artist list. I just added some names and it's gonna blow you away.

Grant Morrison is magic

In a lovely coincidence, the latest issue of All Star Superman features Superman helping out some sick kids.

I am now absolutely convinced All Star Superman is being written just for me.

This however, is an update- J Scott Campbell has volunteered, and Larry Young has added his support with a generous donation, and Josh Elder, of Mail Order Ninja and Batman Strikes has pledged both money and a great deal of his efforts to the fundraiser. These guys are awesome and I'm amazed at how this is all taking off.

Updates, I got 'em

Okay, as of this writing I think I've gotten in touch with every volunteer. If you've contacted me and not received a reply, I suck and please give it another shot.

There are a couple of big announcements that are iffy right now so I can't say anything about them yet. And I wanna, too, 'cause I'm all excited.

A number of volunteers will be present at next month's New York Comic Con and have said they would spread the word there. If any one has any idea of how we can promote there, please share as I'd love to hear your ideas. Also, if you'll be attending, please leave a reply to this post so every one can get an idea of who is gonna be there.

Also, SIB's normal content is on hold for the two of you that asked. It'll be back though, so you'll get your post about how great Super-Turtle is and such eventually. I should draw Super-Turtle for the auction. I bet it'd sell better than everything else combined.

The first couple of donations

A preview of what's to come, a couple of pieces being donated to the auctions.

From sculptor Tommy Allison-


And from Tom Beland. It's from the third issue of the Image volume of True Story, Swear To God - (click to enlarge)

How cool is that?

Thank you gentlemen, so much. Start saving your pennies guys, there is going to be some amazing stuff for sale.

Update, the third one

More things:

Suggestions for names for this little 'event' are welcome, because after I made the 'this needs a snappier name' comment lots of people said 'it sure does!' Well, 3 people said that, but 3 is lots if you've a very wide definition of the word.

I am behind on emails, but catching up. Please don't think you're being overlooked.

Ben's doing okay, for those of you who have asked. Thanks for caring.

Others have asked "What does he think of all this?" I asked him. He said, 'Oh, it's cool.' Then he went back to playing Halo. He's 12. Very into blowing up aliens, he is.

That's all for now. But there will be more soon.