Besids being the president, publisher and chief creative officer of DC Comics, Jim Lee also remains one of the most in-demand comic book artists in the world. As a result, Lee’s commission rate is high, and there was recently some fan outcry over Lee’s rates, while almost every comic book artist around defended Lee (we defended Lee’s rates here, as well). Well, in a recent sketch for a fan, Lee poked fun at the controversy by pretending to charge $20,000 for a birthday sketch for a little girl of Bluey drawn as a Star Wars character.

Bluey, of course, is the star character of the Australian animated kids series by the same name, which has become one of the most popular kids cartoon series around after debuting in Australia in 2018 (it made its debut in the United States on Disney Junior in 2019), and seeing Lee draw her as a Star Wars character is certainly quite the treat.

What did Jim Lee post about the Bluey piece on his Instagram?

When Jim Lee shared the sketch on his Instagram account, he joked that he was paid $20,000 for the sketch. This was a reference to the post earlier this year by Jim Lee’s original art agent, Albert Moy, announcing that, for the first time in 15 years, Jim Lee was accepting commissions to be delivered to fans at conventions that Lee was attending. Here is what Moy listed for Lee’s rates:

For the first time in over 15 years, Jim Lee will be taking commission requests to be delivered exclusively almost all shows he is appearing.

This offer is an exclusive for show attendees only and won’t be shipped out. There is a limit to six per show so act fast to get yours.

Penciled and inked by Jim Lee.

11 by 17 inches, full figure one character with limited backgrounds for $20,000, if more than one character or extra backgrounds or recreation of other covers not drawn by Jim will be $25,000 to $35,000

9 by 12 inches, waist on up figure with limited backgrounds is $9,000 to $15,000, will have backgrounds and more you pay can have other characters or scenes.

small head shot, sample is shown, $1000. Size is 3.25 by 7 inches and side profile only.

Blank cover comic, only bust shot with no background $8,000. And 12k if it a wraparound. Jim Lee will supply the blank cover comic but you can supply at the show if you like.

Jim Lee will ultimately choose which commissions request he wants to fulfill. Once chosen, payment must be paid in full before the show. He may choose to live stream the creation of the commissions at his studio or at the show.

Payment by Paypal or Credit Card only in US dollars with a 5% service fee.

There was some fan outcry over Lee’s announced rates, and Lee is poking fun at the outcry here by pretending that he charged $20,000 for the above sketch (Lee confirmed in a comment that it was, in fact, a joke. It was obviously a joke, but still nice for him to confirm that).

Recently, as a tribute to Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of DragonBall Z, who passed away this year, Lee released a tribute drawing featuring Son Goku. ​​​​​…

Lee’s sketches remain some of the most popular pieces in the whole comic book industry.

Source: Jim Lee on Instagram