Spider-Variant

I always thought that ASM 161-162 were the acme of Mr. Andru's run on the Amazing Spider-Man. Maybe because it was these were two of the earliest issues I picked off the stands as a child, or maybe the art and story really resonated with me. The earlier stuff was good for sure, but the latter stuff left me unsatisfied (like ASM 185), but these couple of issues were it.

I was leaning 9.2, but maybe it can make 9.4. This cover always brings a smile, as it doesn't have the UPC barcode plastered on it, so it looks like an old school cover. Love it.

That ASM 148 is sweet, my friend.

Another of my fave covers. Really nice story with the Ice Man.

Great books everyone! These books were the jumping on point of my 33 year ASM collecting run. That ASM 148 is one of my favorite covers, probably driven by the blue background.

That's looking across Central Park. I tried to find a building or two, but nothing I could match.

Yes, but a guy like me who probably couldn't afford much more, might feel nostalgic. We'll see where it ends up at. I saw another character page on ebay from issue 159 for $1700ish with no takers, so maybe you are correct Steve.

I noticed that too. Is that the same thing as zipatone? Wonder what this character page will go for? I bet at least $2k.

Here's an original art page I hadn't seen before from ASM 158, Page 14. It's up on Comic Link. Wonder how Ross and Len came up with Brookhaven National Laboratory for a setting. Must have needed some atomic power to make Hammerhead whole again. Looks like the letterer got a little off on that fifth panel and there was a correction piece glued over top.

Nice books. I bought my ASM 129 through mail order back in the day for $3 or so. It graded out at 8.0 a few years back. I was always happy with it, so I totally understand the thought of not upgrading.

Of course he may have had a little help from Neal Adams here, lol.

I really liked Andru's Superman during the 70s. He got it right.

Not Spider-Man, heck, not even Marvel, but here's the original art to a Superman Action Comics cover that I had never seen before. By the wonderful team of Andru and Giordano. He may just be my favorite inker on Mr. Andru's work.

Great research Steve and others!

Great books!

Yes, when I started this thread, lo those years ago, it was about people showing off their AF15 and giving the backstory about the purchase. I've been out of the club since the 2009 time frame myself, but still drop in here to check out things.

Thanks again Lee. Please keep stopping by and posting on this thread. We are a small, but proud team of Ross Andru fans and love any and all things Ross and Spider-Man. Ok to share the Comic Buyer's Guide ad?

Tardis? Fire up the Delorean baby. Those Ross pages are worth at least a 100X today. Not too shabby.

Hey, @Lee B. I had a chance to look at that list you posted in a little more detail. Here are some things I noticed. 1) First, yes, I've seen your ComicArtAds site. Very cool. 2) Below I highlight the art from the Buyer's Guide Ad that I have scans from. I guess I take comfort in knowing all that great Ross Andru art didn't get snatched up by one buyer. I'm even happier knowing someone did buy it and it all didn't get destroyed. 3) The range of the art is from ASM 133 to ASM 148 and includes GS SM 1 and 4. That puts the date range from March 1974 to June 1975 (using the book on the stands date). Makes sense from a Dec. 1975 Ad. 4) The ad lists 103 pages and I have scans of 22, for a 21% rate. That's lower than the 33% of all Ross's ASM pages that I have scans from. That kind of makes sense, as this is some of his older art on the run. 5) The ad lists pages 17-18 from Issue 136 for $75. I always thought this was a "two story pages on one art board" piece. But based on pricing, I am now convinced this is two story pages on two art boards. Thanks for sharing this ad, really neat find.

I'm sure it's not the same character but sure looks like him.

Holy Cow Lee! Thanks so much for posting this. When I get some breathing room, I'll compare it to the pages I have scans of. I have a picture of about 33% of all Ross's work on Amazing Spider-Man.

Long before Dr. Faustus was blowing smoke up Spider-Man's wazoo (both literally and figuratively), he was the arch-enemy of one of the greatest super-heroes ever. Shoney's Big Boy.

I'm surprised there isn't one already. That was probably my second favorite month of the calendar.

I think the Jackal looks pretty menacing as well.

Yes, maybe the calendar is the only place it ever appeared. It would make it unique in that sense, because nearly all of the other images are from somewhere else. I almost want to say that George Perez month of October is my favorite from the Calendar. Just something about having all those villains on one page.