First appearing in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, angst-ridden Spider-Man-a.k.a. Peter Parker-quickly became one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Comics universe. I'm sure everyone by now knows the story of how, endowed by a radioactive spider's bite with super-human strength, agility, and a sixth sense, young Peter Parker felt responsible for the untimely death of his Uncle Ben at the hands of a burglar (is it just my imagination, or are most super heroes orphans?), and how, vowing to use his powers "responsibly" in the battle between good and evil, Peter assumed the persona of The Amazing Spider-Man!

With the announcement that a major motion picture, laden with special effects and starring Toby McGuire (Cider House Rules), is targeted to be released in May 2002, I quickly checked the online auction markets to see if any of that Spider-Man stuff that I've been passing up at yard sales was suddenly worth anything. (Hey, what can I say? I'm a masochist! I just LOVE learning that the 50-cent action figure I DIDN'T buy is now worth $30!)

It appears that, for now, price escalation has been primarily confined to those items one would expect-original art, first-of-a-series, and Silver Age (1956-1970) comics. As a matter of fact, a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 recently sold at auction for a record $40,250! (This was NOT on eBay, but at Greg Manning Auctions. For auction results on a number of Golden and Silver Age comics, check out their web site at http://www.gregmanning.com.)

Oddball items-like a never-opened box of Spider-Man Zipper Sandwich Bags from 1995-are also gathering interest ($10 worth!), but the majority of the mass-produced stuff from the last few years are definitely NOT reaping large profits-there's just too much of it. How many McDonald Happy Meals did YOU consume in 1994 when they were giving away Spider-Man toys?

So, it appears, the rules of the collectibles market still hold sway: buy old, buy rare, buy condition. (But if you LIKE that Happy Meal toy, buy it too!)

For more information on the Spider-Man universe and collectibles, you might want to check out the following:

The Web
http://www.marvelcomics.com The Official Web Site. Right now they are offering 5 free issues of the Ultimate Spider-Man for just $3 s&h!
http://www.spidermanhype.com News, links, chat
http://www.movieheadlines.net Movies, movies, movies!
http://www.ign.com Voted best entertainment site by Wired Magazine's readers.

Books
Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide (30 ed), by Robert M. Overstreet
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060957344/auctionbytescom
Comic Book Hero Toys, by John Marshall
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764309226/auctionbytescom