DALLAS, TX.- The original cover art from The Amazing Spider-Man #100 considered one of the most iconic Silver Age covers ever produced could sell for as much as $300,000 when it goes up for bid at
Heritage Auctions Feb. 22-24. Artists John Romita Sr.'s and Frank Giacoia's iconic portrayal of the web-slinger and dozens of famous cannon characters marks the first time the artwork has ever been offered at auction.
"This cover was done during the peak period of John Romita, Sr.'s artwork, at a time when Spider-Man's popularity was extremely high," Heritage Auctions Senior Vice President for Fine & Decorative Arts Ed Jaster said. "John Romita, Sr., had done the covers and interior of Spider-Man #39-95, and he changed the character from a kind of nerdy high school kid to a more self-confident college student, which is part of the reason why Spider-Man was able to capture more of an older market."
In 1971, the 100th issue of The Amazing Spider-Man was due for publication. Both Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr., knew the issue's cover needed to be a masterpiece. The artwork includes more than two dozen other characters, some of whom, like Kingpin, Doctor Octopus, Scorpion and the Beetle, were villains who tormented and battled Spider-Man and some of whom are supporting characters from Peter Parker's daily life, including girlfriends Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy, Aunt May and Parker's boss at the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson. Presented in Marvel Comics' popular "floating heads" style, the famous faces surround a full-body image of Spider-Man.
The original cover art has already attracted more than $150,000 in pre-auction bidding. Additional highlights in the Feb. 22-24 Comics & Comic Art auction include a copy of Batman #1 (DC, 1940), CGC FN/VF 7.0 and All-American Comics #16 (DC, 1940) CGC FN+ 6.5 as well as Jack Kirby's and Vince Colletta's Original Cover Art from Thor #154 (Marvel, 1968).