Auctions: comic books in 'Spider-Man Clone Saga', graded by CGC

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 142 CGC 9.0

Paper: White

Label #4649151001

"Dead Man's Bluff" Part 2 of 2. Script by Gerry Conway. Art by Ross Andru (breakdowns), Frank Giacoia (finishes), and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by John Romita. An angry wall-crawler scours Manhattan looking for Mysterio! The web-slinger's long-time foe has made the grave mistake of using the late Gwen Stacy as one of his illusions! And that's stepping way over the line! But what if Peter's sighting of Gwen was genuine? Hold on, that's impossible! Gwen died several months ago! Or did she? Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will dive into that mystery soon enough! But in the meantime, he's giving a piece of his mind to Mysterio! First (cameo) appearance of the Gwen Stacy clone. Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, Glory Grant, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, Joe Robertson, and J. Jonah Jameson. (Note: This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 119.) 36 pages. 25c cover price. Cover price $0.25.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 144 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4598463010

First (full) appearance of the Gwen Stacy clone in "The Delusion Conspiracy!" Part 2 of 2. Script by Gerry Conway. Art by Ross Andru (breakdowns), Frank Giacoia (finishes), and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. On the banks of the Seine River inside the Cathedral de Notre Dame, the wondrous wall-crawler battles the Cyclone to save J. Jonah Jameson and Joe Robertson! With a bit of American ingenuity, the spectacular one defeats the French super-villain and sets a course for home! On the long flight back, Peter looks forward to reuniting with Mary Jane; but when he arrives at his Chelsea apartment…he finds Gwen Stacy instead! What?! Unbelievable! The web-slinger's nightmare is only just beginning. Cameo appearances by Aunt May and Anna Watson. Origin of the Cyclone. (Notes: This issue along with its dramatic cover sent shockwaves thru Marveldom when it was published. The Cyclone appears next in Spectacular Spider-Man 22 & 23. The letters page includes Marvel Value Stamp series A #18 Volstagg by Jack Kirby and John Romita. The letters page also includes a letter from Fantagraphics publisher Kim Thompson. The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 524,583; average paid circulation 288,232. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 121.) 36 pages. 25c cover price. Cover price $0.25.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 147 CGC 9.4

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4681626011

"The Tarantula is a Very Deadly Beast!" Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Mike Esposito and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by John Romita Sr. Following his adventure in the Everglades (in Giant-Size Spider-Man 5), the wondrous wall-crawler returns to New York City! However everything is just as chaotic as when he left, thanks to the Gwen Stacy clone...and the Tarantula! The South American super-villain ambushes the spectacular one on the streets of Manhattan! And after a short skirmish, the Tarantula throws the web-slinger into a city bus! But this is no ordinary bus! For the driver is the Jackal...and the only passenger is Gwen Stacy! As for the bus' destination? Try the Brooklyn Bridge! Oh no, are the sins of the past coming back to haunt your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Ned Leeds, Aunt May, Anna Watson, and J. Jonah Jameson. Flashback cameo by Ben Parker. (Note: The Tarantula previously appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 135. The letters page includes Marvel Value Stamp series A #42 Man-Wolf by Gil Kane and Mike Esposito. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 124.) 36 pages. 25c cover price. Cover price $0.25.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 150 CGC 7.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #2090390007

"Spider-Man...or Spider-Clone?" Script by Archie Goodwin. Pencils by Gil Kane. Inks by Mike Esposito, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. The senses-shattering saga of the Jackal is over. But one gigantic question remains for Peter Parker: Am I the Spider-Man or the Spider-Clone? To find the answer, the web-slinger enlists the aid of his friend Dr. Curt Connors! However, during the tests; the Vulture, Sandman, and Kingpin attack! Oh no, where did they come from? The laboratory of Dr. Spencer Smythe that's where! Once the wall-crawler defeats the trio of robots, he turns to face his true foe: the Spider Slayer! During the desperate battle, Peter's final thoughts turn toward Mary Jane. Will the amazing one find the answer about his own life...while he staves off his own death...at the hands of the Spider Slayer? A sensational issue! (Notes: Dr. Smythe previously appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 107. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer John Ostrander. This issue contains a full-page ad for Hostess Fruit Pies featuring the Hulk vs. the Abomination and Wendigo. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 127.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 151 CGC 8.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4351881018

"Skirmish Beneath the Streets!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Len Wein. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by John Romita Sr., Mike Esposito, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by John Romita Sr. One of the best Spider-Man covers of the bronze age kicks off a new era for the wondrous wall-crawler! And JJJ begins the fun by hosting a party in honor of Ned and Betty's engagement! The flattop curmudgeon is in rare form and about to make a speech when the lights suddenly go out! What happened to the NYC power grid? Maybe it was a shock(er) to the system! The web-slinger descends into the sewers to find out! Appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson, Harry Osborn, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, J. Jonah Jameson, and Joe Robertson. (Notes: In this issue Spider-Man disposes of his clone's body at the Brooklyn incinerating plant before attending Jonah's party. Thus, ending the saga of the Spider-Clone. Or so Spidey and all his fans thought. The Shocker previously appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 72. The cover to this issue is a homage to the classic cover of Amazing Spider-Man 33. Len Wein begins his memorable two-and-a-half year run as the writer of the Amazing Spider-Man title. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 128.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Web of Spider-Man (1985 1st Series) 118D CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4536726006

First Printing. Direct Edition. First appearance of the Scarlet Spider (aka Ben Reilly) in The Exile Returns Part 1 of 4. "Memories" Guest-starring Venom. Script by Terry Kavanagh. Art by Steven Butler (breakdowns) and Randy Emberlin (finishes). Cover by Steven Butler. Plot continues from Spectacular Spider-Man 217. Ben Reilly (aka the Spider-Clone) wanders around Manhattan trying to bury the memories of his (and Peter Parker's) past. However Ben knows that with great power comes great responsibility. So he crafts a different -- yet similar -- superhero identity to fight crime. Meanwhile, Venom is back in town and wreaking havoc on the Upper East Side. But the Scarlet Spider vows to stop him! Story continues in Spider-Man (1990) #52. Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Anna Watson, Betty Brant, and Ken Ellis. 32 pages. Cover price $1.50.