*Marvel: We’re always happy to welcome an early Spider-Man issue illustrated by Steve Ditko (the only ‘proper’ Spider-Man artist, excellent later contributors notwithstanding), and this one’s a bit special, featuring as it does the first guest appearance of the then-fledgling Man Without Fear, Daredevil, and, we believe, his only guest-appearance in his original black & gold costume! Teamed with Spider-Man against the menace of the Ringmaster (against whose hypnosis DD’s blindness gives him an unexpected immunity) and his Circus of Crime. Sadly, this is a low-grade pence printed copy, a bit of a wreck in fact. Tape has been applied to the front cover a little above the bottom edge, sealing a long tear, and there are further strips of tape on the front cover by the logo and number box, repairing what seems to be a small, previously detached chunk. The copy is worn and tired with lots of colour-breaking creases and some tears; small chips out at top and bottom spine. Wear around the staples, but they are still attached and firm at centrefold. Pages are okay with the occasional dog-ear and small chip out of margin only. The comic is pretty much complete and great as a gap filler or affordable copy if you’re rabid for early Spidey and on a tight budget.
PICTURED: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #16 PR/FA p £150