Spectacular Spider-Man #139 COVER by Sal Buscema (ft Tombstone)
Artists: Sal Buscema (Penciller) , Sal Buscema (Inker)
46 Comments - 2,709 Views - 24 Likes
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DescriptionBig add today with another in the “B level” Spidey villain category. And I use quotations there because Lonnie Lincoln aka Tombstone has always been a top tier Spidey villain for me.With his backstory and connection to Robbie Robertson I always thought of him as the quintessential bully. I loved his interplay with other characters and he always struck me as a guy you’d NEVER want to bump into on the street. Before getting powered up he was just a hardened gangster who moved his way up the underworld ranks by any means necessary. And he had a great design – simple yet scary! Artist Alex Saviuk co-created him with writer Gerry Conway then the character really came into his own during Conway/Buscema’s Spectacular Spider-Man run. I loved those issues – NYC streel level stories. Grounded, but with high stakes. I associate Sal Buscema with Tombstone and vice versa so I’m ecstatic about adding this to the collection! Thanks, James Meeley, for giving me the opportunity to be the next caretaker of this beaut. This is one of, if not the, key images of the character. Face front, sharpened teeth bared, amongst a pile of dudes he’s just stomped. I have a couple of pieces with the powered up Tombstone, which I definitely like, but if I had to choose I’ve always preferred the original design. So, I’m glad to get a piece with that incarnation! Just something about that slimmer black suit/silhouette against his white skin. And I have to say, great choice here going with no background. Your eyes are really fixated on the character with that juxtaposition of black suit vs. white background. I also like that the you’ve got the character’s name lettered in stone font at the left, and overall, how all surrounding lettering further centers the character. Also, a big plus knowing how much I dig this character, is this being the cover to his origin story. Nostalgia factor runs high, my friends! Lastly, another collector goal checked off…a Spectacular cover by Sal Buscema! Definitely getting harder and harder to pick up. And sure, this one doesn’t have Spidey in it, but do I care?! As you'd guess by my description above, nope! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Dave W 
Member Since 2006
2 - Posted on 8/16/2019
GREAT Sal Buscema cover! Congrats! This is a great add to your collection!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 8/17/2019
wrote:
A pleasure doing business with you, my friend. I hope we can do more in the future!
Likewise, James, and thanks again! Definitely one of the new jewels of the collection!
RS 88
Member Since 2018
2 - Posted on 8/16/2019
Awesome! Love me some Tombstone - a great villain underutilized!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 8/17/2019
RS 88 wrote:
Awesome! Love me some Tombstone - a great villain underutilized!
Agreed! He’s getting a little more play lately, like a small part in the Spider-Verse film, but would love to see a writer/artist combo kill it on a new arc with him as the main baddie. We shall see, but I’m not holding my breath :)
Thanks man, and thanks all, for the great comments!
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
2 - Posted on 8/16/2019
Awesome addition, K! Striking Buscema Spectacular Spidey cover!
West Stephan
Member Since 2007
2 - Posted on 8/16/2019
This was an enjoyable storyline for me back in the day. Sure had an anti bullying tone to it!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 8/17/2019
West Stephan wrote:
This was an enjoyable storyline for me back in the day. Sure had an anti bullying tone to it!
For sure! I never thought about it consciously but it was there. Robbie had to find a way to get out of Tombstone’s grip at some point. And if you bully, you might just get a proportionately spider strengthened uppercut to the jaw :)
Vito L
Member Since 2012
2 - Posted on 8/16/2019
Loved this era of Spectacular Spider-Man. Congrats on a great cover.
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
2 - Posted on 8/16/2019
That is a HUGE add to your collection, congrats! And I agree with you, with this piece, the lack of a cluttered background is a major positive, so you really concentrate on the character of Tombstone and his stark black suit. And yeah, it's his origin issue as well. Major congrats !!
JN 80
Member Since 2016
2 - Posted on 8/16/2019
Incredible pick up. Love this Tombstone cover. Congrats
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 8/17/2019
Congrats on checking off a Sal Spectacular cover off your check list! This is still a great cover even without Spidey on it, as this came out during a really fun era for PPTSM when the stories and art were both really good and fun, and Tombstone was a great new creation!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 8/17/2019
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Congrats on checking off a Sal Spectacular cover off your check list! This is still a great cover even without Spidey on it, as this came out during a really fun era for PPTSM when the stories and art were both really good and fun, and Tombstone was a great new creation!
Exactly! Agree on all points, Ruben! Definitely a fun era in Spidey’s history for many of us!
F M
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 8/17/2019
Fantastic addition, K. This is huge indeed. Spectacular Spidey is probably my favorite title Sal has worked on during his great career.
Jason Versaggi
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 8/17/2019
Tombstone has long been one of my favorite Spidey villains from that second tier and he’s really a great bad guy because he’s such an unapologetic SOB. This SSM arc with Tombstone and Robbie is one of the highpoints of the whole series and a classic Spidey saga. Sharp minimalist cover with the spotlight on Tombstone. Bravo.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 8/17/2019
Jason Versaggi wrote:
Tombstone has long been one of my favorite Spidey villains from that second tier and he’s really a great bad guy because he’s such an unapologetic SOB. This SSM arc with Tombstone and Robbie is one of the highpoints of the whole series and a classic Spidey saga. Sharp minimalist cover with the spotlight on Tombstone. Bravo.
Thanks, Jason - I know you’re also a big Tombstone fan!
”Unapologetic SOB” - perfect description! He’s just a BAD dude who doesn’t give a you-know-what. And there’s definitely an appeal to that.
Jimmy Lawrence
Member Since 2009
2 - Posted on 8/18/2019
Looks like the right piece of art fell into the right hands. I love when that happens! Congratulations. It's THE ultimate Tombstone image. Iconic stuff my friend.
Xavier .
Member Since 2010
2 - Posted on 8/18/2019
A great and memorable cover with a perfect image! Killer pick up K!
NEBUR ADLAN
Member Since 2009
2 - Posted on 9/7/2019
Another spidey cover? Tombstone? Buscema? What more?
Now , im ashamed of my collection 😂
Congrats !
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 9/8/2019
NEBUR ADLAN wrote:
Another spidey cover? Tombstone? Buscema? What more?
Now , im ashamed of my collection 😂
Congrats !
You better not be, Ruben - some great stuff there! But thanks for the comment - you’re right, you definitely could do worse when it comes to a Spidey piece :)
Sam H
Member Since 2007
2 - Posted on 12/2/2019
A great cover from a great run that I fondly remember reading! Congrats!
Robert C
Member Since 2020
2 - Posted on 7/9/2020
I loved this era of Spidey-dom, where Parker proves to everyone that he is the original quipster. He is often overshadowed now by Deadpool's banter, but he was the original.
Emanuele Peveri
Member Since 2011
2 - Posted on 8/22/2020
Tombstone at his best! I remember clearly this cover. So simple. So powerful. Real example that less is more! Absolutely Sal pick!
Wolvie Fan
Member Since 2020
2 - Posted on 10/16/2020
I have been a fan of Tombstone since Web of Spider-Man #36. Awesome cover, huge congrats adding this to your collection.
Jon B
Member Since 2011
Forum Moderator
2 - Posted on 12/13/2020
This is awesome! I own the whole story to #138 and maybe one day, I can add the cover to my collection too!
chad larsson
Member Since 2018
2 - Posted on 2/13/2021
Massive pick up! Great cover and emphasis on Tombstone!
Ellis M
Member Since 2012
2 - Posted on 6/14/2021
I remember this cover growing up. It's beyond comprehension that someone could actually possess this piece of history...well done! Like seriously, this is Childhood and Spidey encapsulated!!!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
2 - Posted on 6/14/2021
Ellis M wrote:
I remember this cover growing up. It's beyond comprehension that someone could actually possess this piece of history...well done! Like seriously, this is Childhood and Spidey encapsulated!!!
Thanks, Ellis! Yeah, it is weird (and even more awesome!) at times how you can actually own the one of a kind piece of art to an image that was burned into your brain as a youngster. Definitely consider myself particularly lucky with those pieces, this among them. And trust me, I still look at it at all the time, with the actual comic right alongside :)
Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020
2 - Posted on 8/16/2021
One of the most memorable Sal Buscema covers. Tombstone was a legitimately scary character when he debuted, not just because of his fearsome appearance, but because of the threat he presented to one of the most beloved Spidey supporting cast members, Robbie Robertson. Truly a spectacular cover (no pun intended).
Hobby Halbert
Member Since 2022
2 - Posted on 1/26/2022
Michael McIsaac wrote:
One of the most memorable Sal Buscema covers. Tombstone was a legitimately scary character when he debuted, not just because of his fearsome appearance, but because of the threat he presented to one of the most beloved Spidey supporting cast members, Robbie Robertson. Truly a spectacular cover (no pun intended).
I love your comments, very informative!
Ken Martin
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 7/19/2022
I am shocked I haven't commented on this cover already. This was such a memorable cover in Sal's Spectacular run. No Spidey on the cover but he wasn't needed. Tombstone front and center with a bunch of bodies laying all around him was all you needed to sell this issue.
Some Collector
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 10/7/2022
Such a great addition to your collection. Congrats!
CJ Design
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 4/24/2023
This is a great Sal Piece...he is a great guy..gave me an impromtu art lesson when I was 13. Some people don't like White Coveers...I always was drawn to this one for some reason. Beautiful. Congrats.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
Posted on 4/24/2023
CJ Design wrote:
This is a great Sal Piece...he is a great guy..gave me an impromtu art lesson when I was 13. Some people don't like White Coveers...I always was drawn to this one for some reason. Beautiful. Congrats.
Oh wow, that's cool! Awesome you got to meet and chat with him, let alone get an art lesson! I know he doesn't do much in terms of cons and the like, but I do hope to be able to meet him some day - we'll see :)
And regarding white covers...right there with you. I do think not having a background, or it being blank/white, doesn't work as well in some situations. BUT there are are times when the "less is more" approach is the right one. Like here :) Glad you like, Christopher!
Ron B
Member Since 2024
1 - Posted on 9/20/2024
Jaw-dropping iconic cover! I totally agree that Tombstone is the quintessential bully that we can all relate to. I love this towering Tombstone, smirking, cracking-his-knuckles, and looking down at the viewer - as if to confront anyone holding the comicbook itself! Flawless. Congrats K Gearon, I'm glad this one is in your hands!
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