Once Upon a Time, Collectibles

Bylo nebylo, Sběratelské předměty

podle Kristýna Hrušková v Blog

Zjistěte, jak se trh se sběratelskými předměty v hodnotě 600 miliard dolarů vyvíjí díky technologii blockchain. Od počátků eBay až po Whaledenovu vizi blockchainu - budoucnost je tady.

Ach... Sběratelské předměty, ať už je milujete, nebo zavrhujete, jedno je jasné: trh se sběratelskými předměty má podle odhadů v roce 2024 hodnotu více než [600 miliard dolarů] (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/surge-collectibles-demand-expected-2024-104300735.html). Za těmito čísly se skrývá něco hluboce osobního: příběhy a emoce, které si každý z nás ke sběratelským předmětům váže.
Pro některé jsou sběratelské předměty ozvěnou vášní a vzpomínek. Komiks může někoho přenést zpět do dětských odpolední, kdy listoval barevnými stránkami a byl uchvácen dobrodružstvími svých oblíbených hrdinů. Tím, že uchovávají emoce, mají sběratelské předměty moc přenést nás zpět v čase a připomenout nám, kým jsme byli a co nás formovalo.

Pro jiné jsou sběratelské předměty symbolem vášně a oddanosti. Ať už je to uspokojení z nalezení vzácné varianty obálky nebo dokončení série, každý přírůstek do sbírky představuje trpělivost a vytrvalost. Vlastnictví jedinečných nebo vzácných předmětů v sobě skrývá nesrovnatelné vzrušení; limitované sběratelské předměty vzbuzují hrdost a exkluzivitu a spojují sběratele s komunitami, které sdílejí jejich vášeň.

Sběratelství nakonec přesahuje samotné předměty. Spojuje nás s našimi vášněmi a komunitami lidí, kteří sdílejí naše hodnoty a zájmy.

Vývoj a rozmach trhu se sběratelskými předměty

Sběratelství je ve skutečnosti koníčkem, kterému se věnovaly všechny generace od 70. let 20. století do roku 2000, ale skutečný rozmach nastal až s nástupem technologií a internetových tržišť. Vše začalo s eBay. Dlouho zapomenuté předměty bylo najednou možné nabídnout k prodeji celosvětovému publiku, což jednotlivcům umožnilo odhalit skrytou hodnotu jejich majetku a proměnit zanedbané předměty v žádané poklady.

S růstem však přišly i problémy. Rozkvět trhu se sběratelskými předměty nevyhnutelně přitahoval padělatele, což vyvolalo potřebu důvěryhodného ověřování. Této poptávce vyšly vstříc společnosti jako PSA a Goldin Auctions, které se specializují na třídění a ověřování pravosti předmětů. Do roku 2021 Goldin Auctions překonaly obrat 1,4 miliardy dolarů. Tento úspěch přirozeně upoutal pozornost společnosti eBay, která společnost v dubnu 2024 koupila. Tato akvizice spolu se seriálem společnosti Netflix King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch podtrhuje mainstreamovou přitažlivost a ziskovost odvětví sběratelství.

Navzdory působivému růstu však trh se sběratelskými předměty není zdaleka dokonalý. Mnoho platforem působí regionálně, což omezuje přístup sběratelů z celého světa. Navíc logistická omezení, jako je doprava, pojištění a celní poplatky, zvyšují složitost, takže mezinárodní transakce jsou nákladné a nejisté. Dominantní postavení několika platforem navíc vytváří téměř monopolní prostředí, které omezuje inovace a spravedlivou hospodářskou soutěž.

Bez hranic, nefalšovatelné, decentralizované: Renesance sběratelství

Stejně jako eBay na počátku roku 2000 způsobil revoluci na trhu se sběratelskými předměty, chystá se technologie opět změnit toto odvětví. Tuto novou éru podporuje blockchain, který přináší transparentnost, bezpečnost a decentralizaci. Poprvé mohou sběratelé a investoři důvěřovat systému navrženému tak, aby upřednostňoval spravedlnost a dostupnost na celém světě.

Společnost Whaleden zavádí technologie, jako je sběratelská karta WHALE, aby nákup a prodej sběratelských předmětů byly bezpečné a bez hranic. A to je teprve začátek!

Nezapomeňte nás sledovat na sociálních sítích, protože v následujících článcích budeme zkoumat, co tato transformace znamená pro sběratele, investory i tvůrce.

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The Predictable Panic: How Artists Always React to New Technology

The Predictable Panic: How Artists Always React to New Technology

Why the AI art controversy is just the latest chapter in humanity's oldest creative story. The year was 1839. Paul Delaroche, one of France's most celebrated painters, reportedly declared upon seeing his first photograph: "From today, painting is dead!" Sound familiar? Fast-forward to 2025, and we're hearing eerily similar proclamations about artificial intelligence. "AI will replace artists!" "This is the death of creativity!" The medium has changed, but the melody remains the same—a predictable symphony of fear, resistance, and eventual adaptation that has played out countless times throughout history. The Five Stages of Technological Grief Human beings are remarkably consistent in how we process disruptive technology. Whether we're talking about photography, synthesizers, or AI image generators, the pattern unfolds with mathematical precision: Stage 1: Dismissal and Mockery "It's just a gimmick." Every revolutionary technology begins as a curiosity—clunky, limited, and easy to dismiss. Early photographs were blurry. First synthesizers sounded tinny. Early AI art was a carnival of distorted faces. Artists looked and laughed. The technology couldn't compete with centuries of refined human skill. Why worry about something so obviously inferior? Stage 2: Creeping Fear "Wait... this is getting good." But technology doesn't stand still. Those blurry photographs became sharp portraits. Synthesizers began producing impossible sounds. And AI art started winning contests. This is when the laughter stops. When DALL-E 2 fooled viewers. When Midjourney generated professional-quality concept art. When an AI piece won the Colorado State Fair. Suddenly, dismissal transforms into something more primal: fear. Stage 3: Backlash and Attack "This threatens everything we hold sacred." Fear breeds resistance. Artists organized against AI. Lawsuits emerged. Social media erupted with #NoAI movements. The arguments are always similar: it lacks soul, it's stealing from "real" artists, it will destroy livelihoods. These aren't just practical concerns—they're existential ones. When your identity is built around being irreplaceably human, machines that mimic human creativity feel like an attack on your essence. Stage 4: Reluctant Experimentation "Maybe I can use this to my advantage." Eventually, curiosity wins over fear. Some artists begin experimenting. They discover AI isn't just a replacement tool but a collaborator—generating ideas, creating variations, handling tedious tasks. This stage is messy and controversial. Early adopters face criticism from purists. Artists struggle to define new roles for themselves. Stage 5: Integration and Evolution "This is just how we make art now." Finally, the technology becomes invisible—just another tool in the creative toolkit. Photography didn't kill painting; it freed painters from merely documenting reality, leading to Impressionism and abstract art. Synthesizers didn't destroy music; they created entirely new genres. The artists who thrive are those who use new technology to amplify their uniquely human vision—not replace it. Historical Echoes This pattern repeats throughout creative history: Photography (1800s): Portrait painters predicted doom. Instead, painting evolved beyond representation into modern art movements. Synthesizers (1960s-70s): Traditional musicians dismissed electronic instruments as "fake." Instead, synthesizers gave birth to electronic music and countless hybrid genres. Digital Art (1980s-90s): Traditional artists resisted digital tools as "cheating." Instead, digital art became its own legitimate medium. Computer Graphics in Film (1990s-2000s): Practical effects artists feared CGI would eliminate their craft. Instead, the best films now seamlessly blend both approaches. In every case, the threatening technology ultimately expanded the definition of what art could be. Where We Are Now We're somewhere between stages 3 and 4 with AI art—backlash is strong, but experimentation is accelerating. Some artists already embrace AI as a creative partner. Concept artists use AI to rapidly iterate ideas. Illustrators employ AI for backgrounds while focusing human touch on characters and emotions. Others blend AI-generated elements with traditional techniques. But history suggests neither pure resistance nor wholesale replacement are likely outcomes. More probable is the messy, creative middle ground where human artists and AI tools evolve together. What’s different this time is speed. For the first time, we’re witnessing this adoption cycle unfold in real-time—globally, and at internet speed. Previous shifts took decades; AI art is evolving in mere months. This rapid change is challenging—artists have less time to adapt, and the disruption feels more intense. But it also opens new doors: never before have powerful creative tools been so accessible, nor the barrier to entry so low. It’s never been easier to experiment, iterate, and explore. Where Whaleden Stands: A Platform for All Creative Voices At Whaleden, we're building infrastructure for the entire spectrum of artistic expression emerging from this technological shift. Our platform welcomes traditional artists working exclusively with physical media. We celebrate digital artists pushing human-machine collaboration boundaries. We support AI art pioneers exploring new creative forms. And we embrace hybrid artists inventing approaches we haven't even named yet. This isn't fence-sitting—it's strategic positioning. History shows technological adoption cycles resolve through an explosion of creative diversity, not the victory of one approach over another. The most successful platforms provide space for this entire spectrum to flourish. We believe the future belongs to creators who navigate fluidly between traditional and AI-assisted approaches. Our mission is to provide infrastructure, community, and marketplace that enables this creative fluidity. Crucially, Whaleden is designed for rapid iteration and experimentation—something traditional art platforms have neglected. While legacy systems were built for slow, curated releases, we recognize that AI-era creativity demands speed, flexibility, and constant evolution. Our platform architecture enables rapid creative cycling, whether you're iterating on AI prompts, testing hybrid techniques, or exploring entirely new forms. Whether you're a painter who's never touched a computer, a prompt engineer pushing AI limits, or an artist inventing hybrid techniques—Whaleden is your platform. We're not betting on any single creative approach; we're betting on creativity itself. Looking Forward The future won't be human artists versus AI—it will be human artists with AI, creating things neither could achieve alone. We'll see new art forms emerge that are fundamentally collaborative between human creativity and machine capability. Some artists will specialize in prompt engineering. Others will use AI as a starting point for human refinement. Still others will position their work explicitly in opposition to AI, emphasizing irreplaceably human elements. All approaches have value. All represent legitimate artistic choices. Throughout this cycle—from dismissal to integration—one thing remains constant: the human need to create, to express, to make meaning through visual form. Technology changes the tools, but it doesn't eliminate that fundamental drive. The panic is predictable. The adaptation is inevitable. And the art that emerges from this creative chaos will be uniquely, recognizably, beautifully human—even when the tools aren't. The future of art isn't about choosing between human and machine—it's about discovering what becomes possible when they work together.     Are you an artist and want to create new stories with us?  Write to us at judy@whaleden.com – we’d love to meet you. Let’s show the world what the future of art can look like. https://linktr.ee/whaledencom

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The Realities of Comics Collecting Today

The Realities of Comics Collecting Today

Counterfeits, high fees, and monopolies are holding collectors back. Discover how WHALE is breaking barriers and empowering collectors worldwide. Whaleden is launching a series of articles to discuss the transformations taking place in the collectibles market.In our first article, we covered the $600 billion collectibles market and the importance of collectors in driving its momentum. This time, we examine the world of collectibles through the eyes of the collectors themselves to understand the challenges they face and explore the opportunities that will redefine the way they engage with their passion. Why Collecting Isn’t As Easy As It Should Be? For many collectors, the current market presents barriers that undermine their experience. From rising counterfeits to excessive fees, below are the hurdles they encounter today: I. The Rise Of Counterfeits Counterfeits account for an estimated 3.3% of global trade, valued at $509 billion annually. Advancements in technology have made counterfeits increasingly sophisticated, complicating the process of authenticating items purchased online. II. High Transaction Fees Platforms like eBay and Goldin charge fees as high as 22% of the final sale price, along with additional fees for sellers. These high costs eat into sellers’ profits and drive up prices for buyers. III. Lack of Transparency in the Secondary Market In the collectibles world, prices on the secondary market often fluctuate wildly, driven by speculative practices and the lack of reliable resources to assess an item's real value. The dominance of auction houses and trading platforms is central to these barriers. Although they have contributed to the growth of the collectibles industry, their monopolistic practices have only exacerbated the problems collectors face today. WHALE: Bringing the Passion Back to Collecting Collecting should be about passion and discovery, not barriers and frustrations. WHALE (Whaleden Hybrid Asset Limited Edition) by Whaleden offers a solution that tackles these challenges head-on. With guaranteed authenticity, reduced fees, and instant global accessibility, WHALE allows collectors to focus on what they love most: building their collections. I. Unfalsifiable WHALE collectibles are unfalsifiable, ensuring authenticity with every item. Collectors no longer need to worry about counterfeits or rely on third-party verification. II. Low Transaction Fees WHALE eliminates the need for intermediaries, reduces transaction fees, and makes buying and selling collectibles fairer and more affordable. III. Transparency in Pricing WHALE provides complete transparency with precise price and ownership history, as well as item rarity. Collectors can be confident and make informed decisions. IV. Decentralized WHALE breaks the control of traditional platforms, giving collectors access to more options and a fairer marketplace. V. Global Accessibility WHALE makes collectibles instantly transferable worldwide, eliminating shipping costs, customs fees, and risks of damage. Collectors can trade across borders without hidden fees. Collectors have long depended on traditional platforms, but how well do they really serve their needs? Let’s break it down. The Kingdom of Auction Houses For decades, auction houses and trading platforms have established themselves as the reigning monarchs, controlling much of the market. Often operating in monopolistic or quasi-monopolistic conditions, these platforms dictate the rules and apply disproportionate fees. While platforms like eBay and Goldin Auctions have created opportunities for trading and collecting on a large scale, they also impose significant barriers. From high transaction fees and limited accessibility to concerns over counterfeits and unfair pricing structures, these challenges continue to frustrate collectors. Let’s take a closer look at how these traditional giants compare with WHALE when it comes to fees, counterfeit protection, and accessibility: Platform Commission Counterfeit Risk Verification Reach Customs & Additional eBay 10% Final Value + PayPal/Stripe fees) High None Worldwide On International Shipping Goldin ~22% Buyer, $5 to $25 Seller Negligible Rigorous Primarily US-focused On International Shipping WHALE 5% Royalties, 2% Marketplace Fees None Digitally Secured Worldwide None Looking Ahead In the next article, we’ll cover the WHALE’s technical features. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a curious collector, or excited to see what the future holds for comics and collectibles, you won’t want to miss it. Follow us! Sources eBay Help Center Goldin Auctions Terms

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Dracula 2168: A Legend Reborn in Blood and Steam

Dracula 2168: A Legend Reborn in Blood and Steam

The immortal predator is back, but this time, the year is 2168. AI watches, machines rule, and Dracula’s hunger still burns. A steampunk-horror epic begins! 2168 Has No Idea What’s Coming Vlad Dracula Tepes, the Impaler, the immortal predator who bathed history in blood (yet somehow still a nobleman), is lost in time. He wakes up in 2168. There are no castles, no torches, and Dracula finds himself in a dystopian American city where artificial intelligence tracks every breath and neon lights clash with steampunk gears. Disoriented, his memories fractured, he walks a world that has long forgotten his name. This is Dracula 2168: Shadow On The Future, a comic that sinks its teeth into the past and drags it into a nightmare future. Conceived by Marco Turini (the guy who thought resurrecting Vlad was a good idea) and scripted by Italian comics legend Claudio Chiaverotti, it’s a tale so wild that it drove its creators a little mad. Lucky for us, they brought along a roster of top-tier artists to share the insanity: Giuseppe Cafaro, Marco Santucci, Mirka Andolfo, and Matteo Lolli to share the madness. A Predator Out of Time He awakens… memory shattered, in a city of towering skyscrapers and foggy pipes. One thing’s clear: this is not Transylvania. Beneath his fractured humanity, the beast claws for blood. Dracula remains magnificent, cruel, and hungry as hell. Will he bend this strange new world to his will, or will the shadows of his past swallow him whole? Spoiler: redemption’s not on the menu. A Stylized Steampunk Nightmare Picture a Victorian city in 2168: Gothic towers wrapped in steam, gears grinding under neon glow. It’s a living dystopian city: simultaneously mechanical, artificial, and human. Dracula’s morality balances between bloodlust and a hint of nobility while conspiracy and corruption ravage the streets. Oh, and then there’s that cat called Dirac… Behind the Madness Who’d dare unleash the Lord of Darkness into a steampunk future? Marco Turini, the mastermind who saw Dracula’s silhouette in neon lights, teamed up with Claudio Chiaverotti, a writer whose scripts are so epic they can only be in Latin. Together, they created a gothic epic with a futuristic bite. But what’s it like to build this chaos? We met Claudio for a sneak peek behind the scenes. **Q: Tell us something about yourself.**Claudio: I’m a fairly unremarkable character: as a child, I was launched in a sidereal cradle from the planet Krypton — just before it exploded — and ended up on Earth, where I met Marco Turini, who can dematerialize and take on different forms. Together, we discovered a shared passion for comics, and that’s how the “Dracula 2168” project was born. In the meantime, I worked for a major Italian comic book publisher, Sergio Bonelli Editore, for which I wrote about twenty-five thousand pages of scripts. These included their flagship character, Dylan Dog, as well as two characters I created myself: Brendon and Morgan Lost. I also wrote and directed a short film, “Do Vampires Dream of Winter Fairies?”, which won the prestigious FantaFestival in Rome. Q: Speaking of Dracula 2168, how important was the steampunk visual element for the storytelling? Do you have a favorite detail in the design of this world? Claudio: The visual element in a dystopian story is fundamental; it’s practically another character. I’ve always loved steampunk settings, and the ones Marco created for Dracula seemed extraordinary to me! I don’t have a favorite detail; I love it all, across the board! Q: What were some of the challenges in blending historical and futuristic elements in the story? Claudio: The main challenge — one present in all storytelling — is to make the fantastic and visionary elements believable. I’m a big fan of the visionary cinema of masters like Coppola, Baz Luhrmann, and David Lynch, as well as the personal takes on various genres — from horror to western — of John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino. Q: Looking back on this journey, is there anything you wish you had done differently during the creation of Dracula 2168? Claudio: Yes, there’s actually one thing: while Marco and I were working on the story, we used to spar playfully in the Whaleden building to unwind. When he dematerialized, I threw a punch that ended up destroying an entire wall. If I could go back, I’d be more careful! The Minds Bringing It to Life The art team is a who’s-who of comic talent, and possibly in need of a group therapy session. Giuseppe Cafaro, a night owl who swears ‘midnight’s when the magic happens’, infuses his talent into the illustrations (Django Unchained, The Shadow). Francesca Carotenuto’s colors echo her work on Mercy and Unnatural: Blue Blood. Then there’s the legendary trio: Marco Santucci (Green Lantern), who got rid of all his mirrors after working on this project; Mirka Andolfo (Wonder Woman, Sweet Paprika), and Matteo Lolli (Justice League, The Flash). Together, they were responsible for unleashing Dracula into the future… Now, they might need their heads examined. They’re not worried, though. Should you be? Probably not… maybe. Will You Join Us in the Shadow? OK, the project has taken on a life of its own, and honestly, it’s a little scary, even for us. Dracula 2168 launches as a Kickstarter project, with the sale kicking off on February 20th, 2025! With your support,** we can bring Dracula to life the right way through art, passion, and just a touch of madness.** The night’s calling, so be sure to bring garlic! ➡️ Check out Dracula 2168 on Kickstarter! Artist Credits: Marco Turini: InstagramClaudio Chiaverotti: FacebookGiuseppe Cafaro: InstagramFrancesca Carotenuto: InstagramMarco Santucci: InstagramMirka Andolfo: InstagramMatteo Lolli: Instagram Dracula 2168: Shadow On The Future and its characters are the intellectual property of Whaleden

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