FAQ
Have an issue or question about your order?
Send us an email at service@skottieyoung.com
Categories
Store Policies
THE CHECKOUT PROCESS
You must go through the checkout process in order to secure an item. Having an item in your cart does not hold the item. The best way to quickly move through checking out is to create an account and login to your account before checkout. During art sales and new product launches, items can sell out VERY quickly.
Some items have a maximum quantity allowed per customer. If you purchase beyond this or place multiple orders beyond that quantity, we reserve the right to cancel your order in it’s entirety. We are not able to cancel partial orders.
HOW FAST WILL MY ORDER SHIP?
Exclusive variant covers will ship from our distribution partner, THIRD EYE COMICS generally within one week of release from the publication date (please note that most exclusives have a pre-sale drop well before the publication date). Signed comics can take longer depending on Skottie’s availability and additional time needed for processing.
Original art and daily sketches, graphic novels, prints, and other merch all ship from Stupid Fresh Mess headquarters in Kansas City. We do our best to get orders shipped out as quickly as possibly- generally within 10 working days in the domestic USA. International orders ship from us at the same speed but we do not have control over customs and delivery times.
Pre-orders, sales and holidays do often have a longer processing and shipping window due to volume of orders and availability of Skottie for signing.
If you have ordered multiple items and one/more of them are a pre-order, all items will ship together once they are available. This includes items ordered with a CGC graded book which have up to a 6 month turnaround time frame. If you need some of your items sooner, please place separate orders. We are not able to combine multiple orders.
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
We ship internationally wherever possible. International shipments may take longer depending on the speed of the postal and customs services in your country. Orders that are in customs are outside of our control and we are not responsible for the speed or process. Orders can not be refunded because they appear to be stuck in customs. We can not contact international carriers or customs on your behalf. We suggest visiting your local postal carrier if you would like more information on a package in the possession of customs.
Some countries, including the UK and EU nations, will charge additional customs fees which are outside of our control and are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please know and understand the VAT taxes of your country before ordering.
WHAT DO YOU CHARGE FOR SHIPPING?
We utilize USPS Ground Advantage for most shipments. Shipping is $8 Flat Rate in the domestic USA.
We use USPS First Class International for deliveries outside of the USA. Shipping is calculated by USPS by weight, package size and destination zip code. We offer free shipping on orders over $185 to Canada.
WHERE IS MY PACKAGE?
We have access to the same tracking information provided to you by USPS. If you feel your package is delayed, stuck or lost you can contact your local USPS office or file a claim online HERE.
We ship to the address provided by the buyer. If a package is undeliverable due to an incomplete address and is returned to us the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs associated with resending the order.
We are not responsible for packages marked delivered by USPS including packages that are not secured after they have been delivered. Many times a roommate or family member has taken a package inside and it’s found later. Check with other members in the house and neighbors. You may file a claim with the USPS if you suspect a package stolen or mis-delivered HERE.
WHAT IF MY ORDER IS DAMAGED OR INCORRECT?
Sorry about that! It doesn’t happen often but that saying “accidents happen” isn’t around for nothing. Email us within 7 days if your order is incorrect. If your shipment arrived damaged, send us a photo of the damage on the item and on the packaging and we'll exchange your item (if stock is available). Any damage or incorrect orders should be reported right away and within a 7 day window of delivery. After that time, we are not able to assume responsibility.
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?
ALL SALES ARE FINAL unless damage has occurred during shipping. Due to the nature of comic books and art prints, we cannot accept returns. All books have been checked for quality and are sold as is. Some copies may present minor visual imperfections as is the nature of comic books.
CGC graded books may sometimes present “Newton Rings”. CGC has addressed newton rings and air puddles on their site. They are a normal occurrence when two different plastics (which have different refractive indexes) are placed together. They do not impact the book or the qualified graded rating. You can find more information on their site here along with remedies and suggestions in the forum discussion if you wish to try on your slab. https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/440951-newton-rings/ . Slabs are made of plastic and may have minor scratches/marks
FAQ for Skottie
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN COMICS?
I attended a comic book convention and sat behind a table with my friends. I had my portfolio on the table and CB Cebulski checked it out, liked it and left his card. We became friends and were developing a few indy projects together when an editor at Marvel asked if he knew anyone that could do a fill-in issue on ICEMAN. CB gave my name and I did the issue, and have been working in the business every since. Basically, an opportunity presented itself, I took it and then busted my butt every day since to stay in. For more a more in-depth version of this, check out THE MARVEL ART OF SKOTTIE YOUNG.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS ON HOW TO BREAK INTO COMICS?
Everyone thinks there is a secret to breaking into comics and there is…DRAW/WRITE GOOD. It’s pretty simple. Draw, draw, and draw some more. Same goes for writing. There is not just one door, there’s 100 and they’re all different. If you’re drawing/writing is at a professional level then the biggest part of the equation is solved. Get online and promote yourself. Start a site, a blog, a facebook page, a twitter account, a deviantart page, etc. Go to conventions, buy a table, sit behind and promote your work. Take a break from your table and drop off packets at the company booths. Create your own comic while waiting to get in the door at one of the companies. Who knows, you may not need the job at one of the companies.
CAN YOU SHARE MY WORK OR PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH ANY EDITORS AT MARVEL/IMAGE/DC/ETC?
Sorry, but the relationships I have with any companies I work with are confidential. On the other hand, I will often write my editors or art directors about great artists or writers I find online. So like I said above, just make stuff and post it!
WHERE DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE AND CAN YOU SUGGEST ANY SCHOOLS FOR ME?
No, I didn’t go to college. Because of that, I don’t have any solid info on schools.
HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT CONVENTION DETAILS?
We will send out a newsletter with. the most up to date information a few weeks before the convention. Skottie is not currently sketching or offering remarks at conventions. We do bring pre-done sketches and cover art to most shows so come to the table early! Pricing is currently $10 per raw signature and $30 per graded signature. We will have information for scheduled signings for retailers with over 100 books in the newsletter.
DO YOU DO SKETCHES OR COMMISSIONS ?
Skottie’s commission list is currently closed. If commission spots should open, we’ll announce in the newsletter only. So make sure you sign up for STUPID FRESH MESS! You can do that right HERE. The best way to get original Skottie artwork is ordering a remark on your book at a CGC signing (scheduled upcoming CGC dates will always be listed in APPEARANCES), purchasing a Daily Sketch or Original Cover Art during one of our art drops!
CAN I MAIL YOU MY COMICS/BOOKS TO GET SIGNED AND YOU MAIL THEM BACK?
Unfortunately, no. We just don’t have the space (or the insurance policy!) to handle your valuable books. Books can only be signed at conventions, store or CGC signing events or when purchased from our online shop.
WHAT ART TOOLS DO YOU USE?
I do my rough drawing digitally on my Cintiq. I print those roughs out in light blue ink on an Epson 1400. I ink mostly with a Kuratake Brush Pen or a Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. For the Kuratake I use a converter cartridge filled with Speedball ink. The Pentel pen I use an empty cartridge and fill it with Koh I Nor ink. I ink with traditional brushes as well but the brush pens are much faster and create the same look and feel. I frequently talk about my tools during live streams so check out the videos on my YouTube channel!
WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU USE WHEN DRAWING DIGITALLY?
I draw almost everything in Sketchbook Pro. It’s the closet thing to drawing naturally that I’ve found. If I do ink digitally, I use Clip Stuido. I color everything in Photoshop. I also have started doing some things on the iPad Pro.
CAN I TATTOO YOUR ART?
YUP! Go for it. But we hope you’ll share with us on Instagram or email us a pic of your finished piece as part of the deal. I don’t design or provide art files for tattoos. Your tattoo artist can do their thang!
WHAT ABOUT SIGNING HOMAGE COVERS AND PAINTED BOOKS?
The general rule is if I wrote the book or did the cover then I’ll sign it! Homages are great but if it’s not my art, then I can’t sign it. I also can’t sign covers that have altered or revised my art on the cover (signing it would imply that I did the remark/alteration).
A LIST OF SKOTTIE FIRSTS!
FIRST COVER EVER: DIGITAL WEBBING PRESENTS #2
FIRST INTERIOR ART: ICEMAN #3
FIRST BABY COVER: AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #1 (WRAP AROUND COVER) FOR MIDTOWN COMICS EXCLUSIVE
FIRST COVER FOR DC COMICS: BATMAN OFF-WORLD #1 EXCLUSIVELY FOR SKOTTIEYOUNG.COM
FIRST WIDELY PUBLISHED BABY COVER: RED SHE-HULK #58
FIRST PUBLISHED WRTTEN WORK: MONSTER OF FRANKENSTEIN (SHORT STORY FOR MARVEL)