‘Spider-Man’ cover art sets world record at Heritage Auctions

WHAT: Sold for $478,000 last month at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, original cover art for Marvel Comics’ “The Amazing Spider-Man #100,” dated September 1957, set a new world record for the most expensive Silver Age or Bronze Age cover ever sold at public auction.

In the fan world, comics fall into Golden Age (late 1930s to 1950), Silver Age (1956 to 1970), or Bronze Age (1970 to 1985) categories. The art outsold every comic cover since the mid-’50s.

MORE: The result happened for several reasons. First, the art is by John Romita Sr., an artist forever linked to Spider-Man through his iconic covers and artwork of the Marvel character. Also, the #100 cover was made during a high point of Spider-Man’s popularity. Items from the height of hotness, such as Marilyn Monroe’s pleated dress from “The Seven Year Itch” and James Dean’s jacket from “Rebel Without a Cause,” sell higher than early or late memorabilia. The cover also represents a peak in Romita Sr.’s career.

Note the floating heads of dozens of Marvel characters including Doctor Octopus and Scorpion. Peter Parker’s girlfriends Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy are there, plus his beloved Aunt May. This is another feature that makes this cover special.

SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Today’s comics are called Modern Age.

HOT TIP: According to Heritage, because this was an anniversary issue collaborated on by Marvel legends writer Stan Lee (now 95 years old, former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, now chairman emeritus) and artist Frank Giacoia, the combination of talent behind it, and visuals on it, make the cover iconic.

BOTTOM LINE: DALLAS, Spidey #100 was top lot in the “Comics & Comic Art” auction. Sale total was a whopping $8.6 million!

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