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The original cover artwork for 1974’s Amazing Spider-Man #129 by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr. is being put up for auction, and it’s been estimated to sell for at least $2 million. That may seem like a high price, but this isn’t just any old Spider-Man comic; it was in this issue that Frank Castle, AKA the Punisher, made his debut in the Marvel Universe.
It may come as a shock to some that the Punisher’s first appearance was in a Spider-Man comic, but it’s even more shocking that at first, he was actually the web-slinger’s enemy. Written by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru, Amazing Spider-Man #129 also introduced the villain known as the Jackal, who hires the Punisher to kill Spider-Man. Believing Spider-Man is just another costumed criminal, the Punisher tries to assassinate him, but fails. Later on, Frank finds Spider-Man next to the dead body of his gun supplier, the Mechanic, so it looks like Spider-Man murdered him. The Punisher attacks, but Spider-Man is able to restrain him, after which he shows Frank the claw marks on the Mechanic’s body that prove the Jackal is really to blame. Realizing he’s been misled, the Punisher sets his sights on the Jackal and leaves Spider-Man alone.
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Considering the Punisher has become one of Marvel’s most popular characters, it’s little surprise that the original artwork of his debut issue has been valued at the high price of $2 million. In fact, for many years, the artwork’s actual existence was something of a mystery. However, TMZ recently reported that the piece was secretly sold by co-artist Gil Kane years ago to a private collector. Now, the work is in the hands of ComicConnect, an online marketplace, and auctioneer for vintage comics, original comic art, and other memorabilia.
A $2 million price tag would certainly put the cover for Amazing Spider-Man #129 in the upper echelon of comic book art. Back in 2018, the cover art for Death Dealer #6 by Frank Frazetta sold for just shy of $1.8 million. Meanwhile, an original copy of the very first issue of Action Comics sold for over $3 million on eBay back in 2014. For context, that issue cost only 10 cents when it first came out way back in 1938.
The first appearance of the Punisher is a milestone in Marvel’s history, making this cover art incredibly iconic. The artwork will be up for auction from November 23 to December 14 on ComicConnect.
Source: TMZ
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