Spectacular Spider-Man #194 Pg. 22 by Sal Buscema - with Peter & MJ in bed

"A good day for love", indeed, Mr DeMatteis.

Back in February 2017, I first laid my eyes upon this beautiful page from one of the very best runs on Spider-Man - issues #178 until #200 of "Spectacular Spider-Man" by writer J.M. DeMatteis & artist Sal Buscema. Maybe not since Lee/Romita had a duo been so in sync & created such emotionally resounding, melodramatic stories, and beautifully drawn at that.

Unfortunately, the owner did not want to sell it. So, we kept in contact & spoke every so often. Every year around the same time, I'd check in. Then, finally, in June 2023, he was ready to part with it.

Issue 194 is right in that sweet spot of the best stories being told - "The Child Within" before; battles with Puma & Vermin during, and building up to the confrontation with Harry Osborn after.

Why was this page so special to me? I particularly liked this moment between the then married Peter & MJ, during an early morning in their New York City appartment. Peter's back from a night of web-swinging; MJ is worried/relieved, and we end on that typical kind of cliffhanger for next month.

The show stealer here isn't just DeMatteis with his foreshadowing, yet loving dialogue, but it's Sal Buscema & his gorgeous rendition of a waking Mary Jane. I'll take that first panel of New York & great close-up of Peter every day, as well, of course. It's all typically "Buscema", as it's 100% his pencils & inks - which is not always the case since Buscema did a lot of pencil breakdowns only on later "Spectacular" issues.

This run - and this page - is just firing on all cylinders and even in this quiet, romantic moment, you feel that these were two amazing creators at the top of their literary might.