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

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 143 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white

Label #4604876001

"...And the Wind Cries: Cyclone!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. The irrepressible J. Jonah Jameson has been kidnapped in the City of Lights! So Joe Robertson and Peter Parker rush to Paris, France to rescue their boss! The treacherous search for the Daily Bugle publisher leads from the Place Vendôme to the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower! Where the Amazing Spider-Man clashes with a new international adversary: The Cyclone! The whirlwind-like villain boasts that he has Jonah! And also, that the web-slinger better meet the ransom demands…or face his own Waterloo! First appearance of the Cyclone. Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, Liz Allan, Professor Miles Warren, and the Gwen Stacy clone. Flashback cameo by Mysterio. (Notes: This issue features the memorable first kiss between Peter and Mary Jane at Kennedy Airport. The letters page includes a letter from comics publisher Dean Mullaney. Giant-Size Spider-Man 4 featuring the third appearance of the Punisher was also published this month. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 120.) 36 pages. 25c cover price. Cover price $0.25.

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

Paper: White

Label #4734059001

"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) 149 CGC 8.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4693767002

First appearance of the Spider-Man Clone in "Even If I Live, I Die!" Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Mike Esposito and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. One of the classic web-slinger issues of the bronze age! At Shea Stadium in Queens, the master plan of the Jackal finally comes together! On the infield grass, the Amazing Spider-Man fights to the finish against a carbon copy of himself - the Spider-Clone! With Ned Leeds in mortal danger, can the wondrous wall-crawler triumph over his clone and the Jackal too? But even if he wins, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man may still lose Gwen once again. An emotional ending for all. Origins of the Jackal and the Gwen Stacy clone. Apparent deaths of the Jackal and the Spider-Clone. Cameo appearances by Joe Robertson, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, Mary Jane Watson, and the Tarantula. Flashback cameos by Anthony Serba and Gwen Stacy. (Note: The Gwen Stacy clone returns many years later in Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 8. The next story arc relating to the clone saga takes place in Spectacular Spider-Man (1st series) 25-31 - the introduction of Carrion, the clone of Professor Miles Warren. This issue completes Gerry Conway's unforgettable 3-year run as the writer of the Amazing Spider-Man title - highlighted by the death of Gwen Stacy; the creation of the Punisher; and the Spider-Clone saga. Many future stories proceeded from Gerry Conway's bronze age scripts. The full clone saga was reprinted in 2011 in the trade paperback: The Amazing Spider-Man - The Original Clone Saga. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 126.) 36 pages. 25c cover price. 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.

Web of Spider-Man (1985 1st Series) 118D CGC 7.5

Paper: White

Label #4249996008

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.