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John Romita, Sr. - Original Spider-Man Art...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
John Romita, Sr. - Original Spider-Man Art...
John Romita, Sr. - Original Spider-Man Art (Marvel, 1968). Anyone who has any interest in comic art knows that John Romita, Sr. is one of the hottest names in the market. Long a mainstay of Mighty Marvel, Romita came to prominence when he took over the art chores on The Amazing Spider-Man from the legendary Steve Ditko. He quickly made the book his own, infusing a human quality and a sense of realism that struck a chord with readers around the world. Offered here is the original line art piece used to create the cover art for the first issue of Spectacular Spider-Man, Marvel's first attempt at a magazine-sized comic. This piece was acquired by Joe Jusko from John Romita, and a letter from Jusko certifying that provenance will be included with the art. There was some controversy in the market earlier this year as to the genesis of this piece. Some say it was the drawing upon which the cover painting was based (see George Olshevsky's Marvel Comics Index #1: The Amazing Spider-Man for such attribution), but some claim that the piece was created after the painting and used for advertising purposes. However, in a February, 2002 conversation with Romita, John himself revealed the true origin of this fabulous work. Predating both the painting and the advertising art, says Romita, this piece was originally done as the basis for the magazine cover. When Stan Lee saw it, he felt that the perspective was awkward and that Spidey needed to be more secure. He asked Romita to change the art to show Spidey on a rooftop rather than climbing up a wall. John statted the main figure and placed it on a new background, creating the image that was eventually used as the basis for the cover painting, and was also used in its line art form in various Marvel advertisements. Some feel that the altered image is less powerful than the original presented here. There's no denying that this piece is the artistic expression of a true master in what many consider to be the prime period of his creative output. Romita's Spider-Man is, for many, the definitive version, and art just doesn't come any sweeter than this. Nicely framed and matted, the piece measures 21.5" x 26" overall, with an image area of 12.75" x 17", and is inscribed to Joe Jusko in the lower right corner: "Best wishes to Joe - John Romita". With no paste-ups, logos, or white-out, this is probably the only Romita Spider-Man cover from this period that will ever be offered in such pristine condition. If this doesn't set your Spidey-sense tingling, nothing will! Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium.