Comic creators: The new celebrities?

I doubt right now anyone is reading this and if you are, awesome. This has been bugging me for the past few years, comic book creators charging for a signature. It blew my mind the first time I saw it. I don't understand it, and for the most part it's creators who have been around and who have worked on major books. So why the need for extra income just from me asking for your name on my books that I have purchased? You were paid to do the job, more than likely you've sold that art (be it the original or print), you can do sketch/commissions at conventions, more than likely if it was a well received book, you'll get royalties. So now why ask for $5-20 for a signature when I've already given you my money to buy the book and also to enter the convention to meet you? That money could have been used to purchase a print or sketchbook that you paid to have printed.

Along those same lines is "I'll sign your books if you buy something from my table". Again, I've already bought your books. Do you need the money to make up for costs on prints that you over spent on or the 4 table spaces that take up your very own section of the show floor?

The other thing that I've got a gripe with is the asking for charity donations. It seems like that bucket is on everyone's table these days with the sign that reads "I don't mind signing your books, but please make a donation". If you've been down an Artist Ally at a con, you know what I'm talking about. I've got nothing against the cause or any other charity, but if I want to donate I'll go to the booth where they are set up and I'll do so. Me personally, I have given them a fair amount of money over they years with the books that they put out (got em all as a matter of fact, bought one this weekend to complete the set), but I'm not made of money to be dropping $5 at every table for a damn signature. Also, I know people who contribute every year to that cause that get membership cards, if I flashed one of those would you still charge me for a signature?

All this is to me and I hope others take a stand and agree, is nothing more than greed. You don't need the huge table space, move over and let another creator have time to get out and make money. You're not "The Man", who can charge for a signature and photo. He can do that because of what he's done and everyone knows who he is.

One last thing, if you're a creator in the industry and go to shows and have your own table... Please stay at your table. You're advertised to be at the show and walking by your table and seeing it empty all weekend or seeing that you've got set signature or appearance times is a huge "fuck you". You can't take the time to lift your head up, sign a few books and go back to whatever you were working on?

So with all this being said, if I've encountered these things from creators (besides the charity) I've more than likely stopped buying your books, and ultimately stopped supporting you.