grapeape

UPDATE: There is strong evidence that in 1966, this artwork was reworked by another artist (possibly Marie Severin) with some alterations and then published as one of the 6-foot "life-sized" posters of different Marvel characters that were sold as a set that year (see fourth image below). Evidence supporting this includes a note on the right side of the artwork that says "5 1/2 FEET HIGH BM-MATTE" (see second image below). Also supporting this is the similarity of the pose between the original artwork and the published poster. In the published poster, the right arm and left leg were repositioned and some additional inking was added. The image was tilted about 20 degrees to the left. The 6-foot Spider-Man poster is one of the 'Holy Grails' of Spider-Man merchandise collectors. While the artwork sources for the other Marvel characters in the 6-foot posters set has always been easy to document, that has not been the case for the Spider-Man image until now. We believe that the discovery of this historic artwork can now put that long-time mystery to bed! Note that in addition to the 6-foot poster, the altered image was also part of the "Personality Posters", a set of 12" x 17" posters of eight Marvel characters also published in 1966. The altered image was also used as part of the 1966 Donruss Marvel card set. It appeared on both the retail display box and on a montage of heroes that appeared on the back of the cards when they were displayed in order (See fifth image below). The altered image The altered image was also used for the cover of the first comic book in Brazil to feature Spider-Man, published in 1968 (see sixth image below). From the keyboard warriors on this thread, fueled by Mountain Dew and Doritos, (Unca Ben most notably) we'd like to take a moment to say; "YOU'RE WELCOME !"

Outstanding. I hope one day you can unite them. This is a prelim treat:-)

You most certainly did! Wow! Just...Wow!!!

the 6ft Spidey poster the 6ft Spidey poster THE 6FT SPIDEY POSTER !!!! ComicLink Comments: a large promotional display with a life-size Spider-Man figure. We are not aware of such a display ever being produced or exactly what it would have been used for in the 1960 it was at this point the consignee realized he ------ -- Update: Josh from ComicLink emailed me and wanted me to know that the consignor is very happy with his choice. They have updated the description as part of their review process.

Funny, because they must have come across the 6ft poster at some point. They can check out the one selling at HA that Unca Ben posted the link to

Found the picture of the framed poster and major props to the framer!!! 🍇 🦍

That's spot on, no doubt! Love that.

You're smarter than me. I saw most of the prelims around $800 and passed them up waiting for a published page I could afford Very cool to see your prelim. Always dug Ed Hannigan's work on Batman. I hope you find what you're looking for.

My brother is a supreme collector of all things Spider-Man. He has the original web shooters, you name it he's got it. There was a big hole however. The 6ft poster, which he looked for year after year with no luck. I made it my personal, private mission to fill that hole. There was a convention in Los Angeles, about 4-5 years ago. I met a friend there and took my wife along. The week before I took my time showing my wife what the poster looked like and the size. She goes antiquing here and there and you never know. At the convention, my wife was taking a breather when my pal and I met up with her. We were going to have lunch, but my wife asked me, "can you watch our stuff while I take a look around for 5 minutes." Ten minutes later she comes back. "You need to come with me. I think I found something." I followed her down an aisle, and she pointed to a booth. Behind the seller I could see the colors, so familiar, but was it the one? I asked to see it fully and once he started unrolling it I knew the search was over. Those two images I sent a few clicks back in this thread are of the actual poster my wife found. What did he want for it? $1500 What was the wiggle room? Okay, $1300 cash money. Great except I was only carrying $500. I'd come to sell more than buy. I would have to leave the convention, go to a bank and get the money. The guy was cool though, as he was selling it on consignment. He kept looking at me and he said, "you bought something from me in 98. I remember your face." That blew me away. He asked, "did you bring a check?" I did. The last hurdle, "the seller is here, let me call him over." The consignee showed up ten minutes later. Would he accept a check? Yes, because this guy remembered me from 20 freaking years ago. "I'll vouch for him. It's a good check." I wrote a check for $1300 and took the poster home. My brother had given me discretion many years ago to act on his behalf. I wanted to find a way to make it free for my bro but I couldn't quite get there. I sold $800 worth of art to recoup some of what I paid. A week later I drove many, many miles with my wife to surprise my brother. Boy was he excited and surprised. I have a video of the moment he unfurled it with his girlfriend on the living room carpet. The joy was electric. We celebrated with a homemade spaghetti dinner with a fantastic gravy (nowhere near the poster mind you). My brother only had to pay me $500. He did the right thing and invested in a beautiful fitted frame of high archival quality. I can't find a pic of that at the moment. Speaking to my brother, yesterday I was telling him about your excellent CSI like breakdown of the poster and the unpublished Ditko giveaway. The talk turned to the poster specifically ,and my brother, the fanatic, a guy who once watched Stan Lee drink coffee for an hour, waited for him to leave, paid a busboy $5 to take the cup, and have Stan Lee sign it. Stan said, " I think you might be nuts" haha. Anyway, my brother says the 6ft Spidey poster is the quintessential holy grail for serious Spidey collectors, as far as collectibles are concerned.

Maybe Ms. Keller did her own grading, and bidding.....

Yep. The prelim and the printed comic art add up pretty, pretty....good!

"youth is wasted on the young." I couldn't agree more. Brunner and Kaluta master artists. My man Steve Rude has talent flowing out of his ears. Nexus is a gift that keeps on giving, and I love to watch him work. There's a magnificent documentary about Steve that came out in 2014. I believe it's still showing on TUBI. https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrjW6NZhORlGF4Nm.pXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzYEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1710684506/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2ftubitv.com%2fmovies%2f633889%2frude-dude-the-steve-rude-story/RK=2/RS=xvnx0ZeH3Wi0FY8BnObvyLEdOnM-

"Looming over the contest, we have the evil mastermind of the piece - me! (I've never looked better." ha ha. Just freaking awesome!! You never looked better Alex!

I remember seeing this when it came up. It's gotta be a thrill to have a piece of the production of a dandy "new" Marvel character in his first appearance stage. Worthy of display for historical content from the great world of original comic book art! And who knows.... maybe Deadpool will one day blow up and become a popular character.

I have a weakness for Kirby pencils sans ink. Excelsior!

I lived nearby, which makes this funnier

Kaluta the process. He's one of many artists I would've given anything to watch create at their drawing boards. Thanx for showing this

Excellent case made here. Your logic is sound. This is a special piece no doubt. My brother has the 6ft poster and I can see it. If only Stan were around to confirm it. If I could afford the piece at auction I would give my....ahhhh, Uncle Ben, you're a brave man then ole grapeape.

The motherlode jackpot of preliminary goodness. Thank you Twanj. Of course the SS cover knocks me over, but I'm also smitten with the quality of the 1602 art.

I purchased this directly from DOA at the SDCC in the nineties. Sent a message to Jim Warden and he very kindly has reached out to Mike Zeck. grapeape: Was this intended as a Punisher cover Is it the prelim to Bloodshot Last Stand cover Maybe started as Punisher then used as Bloodshot? Dying to know. I attached the cover to Bloodshot Last Stand it looks dead on to me. Mike Zeck responded to Jim Warden: • It was not originally created for any Punisher related project. Specifically targeted to that Bloodshot cover. Looking at it now is the first time I’m realizing how close the pose is to a Punisher pose from years prior. The ‘Plate One’ illustration for the first Punisher Portfolio! I wasn’t aware I was ‘homaging’ myself at the time :-)

I saw this prelim on Glen's Panel Page Art website. Got me thinking, who out there has prelim art in your collection. A "prelim" for ASM 302 by McFarlane recently sold on eBay, you can see it on Lee Benaka's brilliant thread Flip of the Day. What have ya got?

Thanx mike! 👂

I said that to emphasize NOT to risk money. I don't know the OP so I'm hoping to talk him/her out of making a mistake they can't live with.

Dr. Balls has my favorite avatar