| Amazing Fantasy | |
|---|---|
 Amazing Adult Fantasy #7 (Dec. 1961). First issue following title change from Amazing Adventures. Cover art by Steve Ditko |
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Ongoing |
| Publication date | Amazing Adventures #1-6
(June 1961-Nov. 1961) Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14 (Dec. 1961-July 1962) Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug. 1962) Amazing Fantasy #16-18 (Dec. 1995-Mar. 1996) Amazing Fantasy (vol 2) (Aug. 2004-Apr. 2006) |
| Main character(s) | Spider-Man debuted in AF #15 (Aug. 1962) |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | (1961-62): Stan Lee, et al. (1995): Kurt Busiek (2004): Fiona Avery, Fred Van Lente, Simon Furman, et al. |
| Artist(s) | (1961-62): Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Don Heck, Paul Reinman, et al. (1995):Paul Lee (2004): Various. |
| Inker(s) | (1961-62): Dick Ayers, et al. |
Amazing Fantasy is a comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics from 1961 through 1962, and revived in 1995 and in the 2000s. It is best known as the title that introduced the popular superhero character Spider-Man in 1962.
Contents |
Amazing Fantasy began under the name Amazing Adventures (first issue cover-date June 1961). That series, a science fiction anthology, introduced then fledgling Marvel Comics' first continuing character, the paranormal adventurer "Doctor Droom" (later renamed "Doctor Druid" when brought back in the 1970s as a supporting character). Doctor Droom was phased out when the book's title was changed to Amazing Adult Fantasy with issue #7 (Dec. 1961). The new title also ceased to be a collaborative effort between a number of artists (Jack Kirby, Don Heck, Dick Ayers, et al.[1]) while the new title was intended to reflect the more "sophisticated" nature of its new exclusive content: the quick, quirky, twist-ending tales of writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko.[2] The cover of the comic carried the motto "The magazine that respects your intelligence."
With issue #15 (Aug. 1962) Amazing Adult Fantasy was renamed Amazing Fantasy and slated for cancellation. With nothing to lose, publisher Martin Goodman agreed to allow Lee to introduce Spider-Man, a new kind of superhero — one who would be a teenager, but not a sidekick, and one who would have everyman doubts, neuroses and money problems. Sales for Amazing Fantasy #15 proved to be one of Marvel's highest at the time and The Amazing Spider-Man was quickly launched to capitalize on the new character's apparent popularity. Although the interior artwork (continued from Amazing Adult Fantasy) was by Steve Ditko alone, Lee had Jack Kirby collaborate on the cover with Ditko.
The DVD release of the collector's edition of the Spider-Man movie included an electronic copy of Amazing Fantasy #15. In 2001, Marvel published a 10-issue series called The 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time, and Amazing Fantasy #15 topped the list.
Although publishing decisions were responsible for the termination of the original Amazing Fantasy series, for decades no attempts were made to relaunch the title or continue with a #16. However, in 1995, Marvel editor Danny Fingeroth decided a story gap existed between Amazing Fantasy #15 and The Amazing Spider-Man #1. In an attempt to fill that gap, Marvel published issues of Amazing Fantasy #16–18, each written by Kurt Busiek and painted chiefly by Paul Lee.
The title was restarted for a period in 2004, as a means of introducing new characters for a younger audience.
The first arc ran through issues #1–6 and featured a new teenaged heroine, Araña. The second arc, in issues #7–12, published after a short hiatus, featured a revamped female Scorpion and a back-up story featuring the character called Vampire by Night (a re-imagining of the Werewolf by Night concept and a lead-up to Nick Fury's Howling Commandos).
In issues #13–14, there were two features once more. The main feature was a two-part story featuring a new hero, Vegas, with western themes in a modern setting, while the back-up story re-introduced Captain Universe, which led to a series of one-shots co-starring Marvel characters Invisible Woman, Daredevil, Hulk, Silver Surfer, and X-23, and was set to lead to a Captain Universe mini-series in early 2006 which has been either delayed or cancelled.
In an attempt to replicate history, Marvel announced that the new issue #15 would introduce a new generation of heroes in a 48-page standalone issue, in the hopes that they would become as popular as Spider-Man. These heroes included Mastermind Excello, Blackjack, the Great Video, Monstro, Heartbreak Kid, Positron and "the guy in Spider-Man's armpit" (who was on the original 1962 cover). As of 2007, only Mastermind Excello and Monstro have appeared in another comic book, appearing in World War Hulk and The Irredeemable Ant-Man respectively. Mastermind Excello also regularly appears in the series The Incredible Hercules. Blackjack returned as an international organization in Mighty Avengers. In addition, the cover to #15 was a "revamped" version of the original Amazing Fantasy #15, complete with Spider-Man swinging through a modern-day New York City, while the new heroes watch in awe in the background.
The final arc, in issues #16–20, introduce Death's Head 3.0, a revamp of the Marvel UK character, written by the original version's creator, Simon Furman. Issues #18–19 contain two Tales of the New Universe stories as back-up features, while #20 featured a Western-themed backup.
Amazing Fantasy #15, as the debut issue of Marvel's most popular character, is among fans and collectors one of the most important and valued comic books.
In September 2000, a comic book dealership brought the only known CGC graded 9.6 (near mint plus) copy to market and sold it for $140,000.[3] In October 2007, a near mint copy sold for $210,000 in an online auction on ComicLink.com.[4]
Marvel Milestone Edition - March 1992 - comic book size reprint of the entire comic with the original ads. Front and back cover are bordered by silver.
The Birth Of Spider-Man box set - 1997 - Applewood Books - comic book size hardcover reprint of the entire comic with the original ads and original indicia. Printed on "aged" paper. Front and back covers appear twice, on the outer covers and inside. "Covers" of interior reprint are printed on the same "aged" paper stock as the rest of the book. Box set also includes a die-cut CD featuring Stan Lee reading the Spider-Man story from #15 and talking about Spider-Man, and a commemorative gold ring.
Marvel Comics
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber on 28 December 1922) is an American writer, editor, and memoirist, who — with several artist co-creators, especially Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko — introduced complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books.
Contents |
   | Spider-Man Comics at Marvel.com - The Official Site for Spider-Man Comics | Spider-Man Comics Home | Marvel.com |
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Misc
Search
