1980s Spider-Man Comic Book Page Hits Record US$3.3 Million | Auctions News | THE VALUE
By: Sebastien Raybaud
Jan 21, 2022 | Fri | 15:30
In December 2021, the Marvel movie Spider-Man: No Coming Home was released and became the highest-grossing film of 2021. Within two weeks of its release, the new Marvel movie grossed over US$1.6 billion at the global box office, making it the first film to break the $1 billion mark during the pandemic.
This enthusiasm for Spider-Man continued, when a page of the 1984 Marvel comics recently sold for a record US$3.3 million at Heritage Auctions in the United States. It became the most expensive comic book page ever sold at auction, depicting a scene of Spider-Man wearing a black suit for the first time.
Marvel Comics’ Secret Wars Issue 8 features Spider-Man in a black suit
Spider-Man: No Coming Home was the highest-grossing film of 2021
Mike Zeck and others | Marvel Secret Wars Issue 8, Page 25
Created in 1984
Auction opening price: 330,000 USD
Sold: $3,360,000
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Sale date: January 13, 2022
This illustration is from page 25 of the 1984 Marvel comics Secret Wars Number 8, titled Invasion – part of Marvel Super hero Secret Wars Series of comics in 12 issues. The story was written by Jim Shooter, with art by Mike Zeck and ink by John Beaty, Jack Abel and Mike Esporito.
It depicts superheroes Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Mister Fantastic, and Professor X among other Marvel characters battling villains.
The red and blue costume worn by Spider-Man was damaged during the battle. In a lab on an alien world, he discovers a machine that can be used to repair battle suits. Unexpectedly, an alien symbiote in the shape of a black ball emerged from the machine. After the machine was activated, the symbiote was attached to Spider-Man’s suit – changing the suit from red and blue to black and white.
The symbiote once attached to Spider-Man’s suit led to the birth of Venom
After returning to Earth, Spider-Man discovered that the symbiote attached to his new suit was attempting to manipulate him while he slept. With the help of Mister Fantastic, the symbiote was driven away.
When the symbiote left Spider-Man, it sought another host. Ultimately, this ended up on reporter Eddie Brock, leading to the birth of Venom.
Bidding for the comic page started at US$330,000. After over 10 minutes of intense bidding, it sold for US$3.3 – over 10 times the starting price and became the most expensive page in the comic.
Mike Zeck and others | Marvel Secret Wars Issue 8, Page 24
Created in 1984
Auction opening price: 67,500 USD
Sold: $288,000
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Sale date: January 13, 2022
As with the previous page, the comic book illustration depicts the beginning of Spider-Man’s transformation into the black suit.
It was sold for US$288,000. Together, the two comic book pages of the same volume, Secret Wars Publish 8raised US$3.64 million.
In terms of price, these two pages are more expensive than the original Marvel comics amazing fantasy Number 15. Last year, it set a comic book auction record of US$3.6 million.
Published in 1962, this comic also featured Spider-Man and recorded the superhero’s first appearance.
marvel’s amazing fantasy Issue 15 sold for a record US$3.6 million in September 2021
