*Marvel: This is it! Right here, right now, the ultimate Spider-Mania/Mighty Marvel Firsts event — the first appearance of the Amazing Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15!

In the final issue of the mystery anthology Amazing Adult Fantasy, dated September 1962 and renamed Amazing Fantasy for that one issue, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created a character who was destined to change the then-nascent Marvel Comics’ fortunes, and the face of the comics industry. Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man, became Marvel Comics’ solo super-star, wisecracking his way through all the slings and arrows a capricious fate (and the imaginative writers) could throw at him, and, decades later, following thousands of comic books and multiple multi-million media adaptations, he remains one of the most recognized characters worldwide. His first appearance, pre-dating his own series, is one of the most sought-after comics ever, THE comic of the Silver Age, and on more wants lists than I’ve had hot dinners. 

This is the first copy we’ve had through our hands since 2018 (when on one historic day, we were staggered to acquire TWO copies!). Just the one this time. This is a worn and lower-graded copy, pence printed, with an intact and largely undamaged cover image. There is a faint vertical crease that extends across Spidey’s left arm and leg, breaking colour faintly, like a subscription crease, but I don’t think it is one. A central spine tear of about 5 cm reaches from the spine across the lower word balloon, but there is no loss and it is hard to see. Corners are blunted, with a tiny diagonal loss where top spine is split (less than 1 cm). All edges have wear with small colour-breaking creases, the right edge more so. The spine is a little ragged, with stress wear around the staples with a 2 cm x 1 cm split centre spine which extends to the back cover (but not the front). The front cover has no graffiti, pen or pencil marks of any kind; small previous owner’s name in top margin of back cover. Despite stress around staples on front cover, these remain firmly attached there and at centrefold. Pages are a very decent and supple off-white to cream, with no defacements but one or two margin foxing spots. Inner covers are tanned at the edges, but are not brittle. The comic is a little tired, but complete, intact and unrestored. 

We have included copious imagery below. High resolution images are available on request. 

PICTURED: AMAZING FANTASY #15 GD- £12,500