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Hanging Around The Library
2008-05-14 19:55:42

It's been reported all around the internet at this point, but in case you're one of those people that've ben hiding out on a desert island or something, an anonymous donor recently gifted the Library of Congress with all of the original artwork to AMAZING FANTASY #15, the origin and first appearance of Spider-Man.

Given that the entirety of the book is still all together, including the two back-up stories, it's likely that the artwork didn't go through Marvel's typical art return process back in the 80s. Before art returns became a matter of policy, all of the originals were stored in a Marvel-run warehouse, on which security wasn't always the greatest. It's impossible to tell, but it's likely that all sorts of artwork walked out the door there over the years the place was in operation.

Regardless of the circumstances, it's great that this artwork is still all in one place (rather than being scattered to the winds) and will now reside in a place where everybody can enjoy it, and where people will take steps to preserve and maintain it.

As you can see from the attached photos, the originals reveal some (relatively minor but nonetheless interesting) details concerning this first Spidey story. There are some production notes from Stan penciled in the margins in a few places, indicating adjustments that either Ditko or production man Sol Brodsky should make to the art. Liz Allen's face on the splash page has been redrawn by somebody else (possibly romance artist Al Hartley) to make her more attractive. And the logo on the first page is a stat, underneath which there's evidence of an earlier logo drawn directly on the board, which has been whited out (and which is missing the character-defining dash between Spider and Man).

It's a pretty amazing thing to have this, probably one of the five most significant comic book stories of all time preserved in this manner. I'm going to make it a point to schedule a viewing the next time I have occasion to be in the area.

More later.

Tom B

maybe it will inspire others?
I'd like to think this donation would inspire other people to do the same thing. Supes and Spidey are our societies contributions to the mythology of the world. In 2000 years, people will tell stories of Spider-man like we do of Hercules.

And then there's this:

A guy named Tom Denton was trying to do an art auction to raise money for the Candlelighters group that help children with cancer. His auction got shut down by Warners for featuring images of Superman. I thought this would be a good chance for Marvel to take good PR away from DC by helping the guy out. His website is here, where you can read all about his ordeal: http://sayitbackwards.blogspot.com/

Posted by lifeat30fps on 2008-05-15 03:56:30

A most fortuitous occurance..
And here I thought, the Library of Congress only accepted non-graphic literature.

Posted by Aziroth on 2008-05-15 09:47:14

This I'd like to see.
I'd have to agree. This is the best place for the original artwork.

Hey, if Georgio Armani can put his car collection in the Boston Museum, surely Marvel can put some of their original works in a museum display? Maybe have it tour around the major museums? That would be awesome.

Posted by DRock1 on 2008-05-15 20:00:34

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About this blog:
Ramblings and musings from the mind of Tom Brevoort. "It won’t be clean. It won’t be fun. It mostly won’t be coherent."

About the author:
Tom Brevoort is Executive Editor for Marvel Comics, and oversees such titles as New Avengers, Civil War, and Fantastic Four.


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