Spider-Variant

This bad boy is currently up for auction. Love the perspective on this Splash from ASM 182. Ross gets his name first in the credits, but seems like Marv got the better end of the deal.

But I do love that Ross Andru art. Throw in the Queensboro Bridge (ok, well it's close) to boot and you got a page right out of Amazing Spider-Man!

Here is what comic legend John Byrne posted on his website in a thread he started recognizing the 30th anniversary of Ross Anru's passing " The man sure knew and loved his 1970's New York City. 封 At one point, following Ross, I was considered as penciler on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. "Remember," said the writer, "New York is practically a character in this book." "The way Andru draws it, yes," I said, "but that's not a major element of the title overall." I didn't get the job."

Two months before the publication of Ghost Rider #2, Beware the Claws of the Cat #5 would have hit the stands, had it not been cancelled. Here is Gil Kane's preliminary cover for that book. I see a lot of similarities between the two covers. Perhaps Gil, knowing about the cancellation, repurposed his design for Ghost Rider #2.

A whole lotta lovin' is what we'll be bringin' to these books!

Rest in Peace Mr. Andru. You passed away 30 years ago today (11/9), dying of a brain aneurysm at the young age of 66 years old. This a full year after losing your wife. I never met you, but I think I would have loved to have. You made my childhood joyful with your amazing storytelling and vivid scenes. You were not often photographed, as I suspect you did not enjoy the limelight, but here are my two favorite photos of you. You would have been a superstar today.

Remember that time Ross drew Batman punching Aunt May right in the Kisser.... Damn, that's a nicely drawn Batman.

Must have had nudity on my mind when I posted that. I know my copy was nice but probably in the 8.5 range grade wise.

Issue 175 was the last issue I missed off the stands until 2008 or so. Nice books.

I won't give it away but it happened at 3:54 am on a Monday.

I don't know what the census numbers bare out, but I always thought that ASM 96 was a harder to find book in high grade.

I remember searching for this book when it came out, but not finding it. I ordered it through mail order a few years later. I loved this book.

I've probably posted this before, but this is just so cool. Original art from the original back cover to Superman vs the Amazing Spider-Man. Pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Giordano, and probably some help from Neal Adams.

I remember my older brother grabbing that FF off the stands.

Sorry, I looked the other day but don't recognize it. Good luck though.

Yes, I assumed it was the case.

Nice book. Apparently you were so excited you took a picture while you were driving, .

Oh, I love the cover to ASM 157 >>> than ASM 156. As far as Mr. Andru's interiors, on one hand you have Dr. Ock and on the other, um, Mirage. Easy winner for me, lol.

Ah, got it. I don't follow prices so much anymore. I could see the rarity angle pushing up the price though. Just a kind of unremarkable issue, IMHO.

No idea. It's got Mirage, who is like a D-List villain, it features the amazing wedding of Ned Leeds and Betty Brant, hmmm. It does have a cool splash page, but I doubt that's driving the price.

Thanks Mike!

You know, when I started it the price aspect didn't even cross my mind.

Um, make that 15 years ago. Time flies, so they say.

You know with just reading a page here and there of Issue 5, it doesn't seem very coherent, but once you get most of the book back together, it does flow pretty nicely. I have never read any issue of the Cat, but always liked Tigra.

One of my favorite issues. I may have posted this page before but I am too lazy to go check. Love the little notes littered all on this page. That's some cool zip-a-tone work by Dave or Mike.