Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962)

Writer: Stan Lee
Cover Artists: Jack Kirby (Penciler) & Steve Ditko (Inks)
Interior Artist: Steve Ditko

Amazing Fantasy #15 was the final issue of a brief science fiction-fantasy anthology series published by Marvel Comics. The series was originally titled Amazing Adventures for issues 1-6 and Amazing Adult Fantasy for issues 7-14, becoming Amazing Fantasy with #15, which appeared in August 1962. Although scheduled for cancellation, publisher Martin Goodman reluctantly agreed to publish the origin of a new, quirky superhero in the final issue of the series. This new hero, created by writer-editor Stan Lee, broke all current superhero stereotypes. This hero would be a teenager, but not a sidekick, and have common doubts, neuroses and money problems familiar to readers. This hero was Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man. Sales for Amazing Fantasy #15 were among Marvel’s highest, prompting the company to launch The Amazing Spider-Man, featuring the second appearance of the now-iconic new hero, just seven months later.

Jack “King” Kirby’s cover for Amazing Fantasy #15 would become familiar to future comic collectors the world over. By 2011, a 9.6-graded copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 would be only one of three titles to bring more than $1,000,000 at auction. The other $1,000,000 comics are Action Comics #1 (the first appearance of Superman) and Detective Comics #27 (the first appearance of Batman) and likewise recognized around the world.

Jack “King” Kirby, however, a long-time industry professional, was undoubtedly familiar with Bob Kane’s work on Detective Comics #27 from March 1940 presenting the first and cover appearance of one of rival DC Comics’ most popular, lucrative and enduring characters – Batman.

Amazing Fantasy #15 likewise was undoubtedly familiar to industry veterans Ron Frenz and Klaus Janson, who homaged Jack Kirby’s first cover appearance of Spiderman for a first cover appearance of their own in Amazing Spiderman #252 in 1984 – Spiderman’s astounding and now-infamous black suit.