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Paul P Spiderversity UNITED STATES
Member Since November 2011
1286 Artworks | Watched by 200

Web Of Scarlet Spider #1 COVER by Steven Butler, 1995 -- GRAIL PIECE!

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Artwork Details
Location: SCARLET SPIDER (Mark Bagley, Steven Butler, Joe St. Pierre, Ryan Stegman)
Title: Web Of Scarlet Spider #1 COVER by Steven Butler, 1995 -- GRAIL PIECE!*
Artist:  Steven Butler (All)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Cover
For Sale Status: This one's comin' into the coffin with me
Views: 831
Likes on CAF: 27
Favorited on CAF: 1
Comments: 37
Added to Site: 2/16/2025

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Description
Hi all!

Hope you are having a great holiday weekend.

So ... it's Grail Time for me tonight.

I know the clone saga was polarizing, but I happened to really enjoy it. I just got a kick out of all the twists and turns, and I have to say that they totally got me when they revealed that Peter Parker was the actual clone, and Ben Reilly was the real deal.

I remember exactly where I was (a McDonalds in Vancouver BC) when I read the issue where that reveal happened (Spectacular Spider-Man #226). I actually shrieked when I came to the splash page where Ben says "Peter ... I am so very sorry ... You're the clone. I ... I'm the original."

This was the mid '90s, before every Marvel character death or major development would be reversed in the next issue, when we were less jaded and more trusting. That, and I am incredibly gullible, haha!

So, when this issue (Web Of Scarlet Spider #1) came out, Ben (and most of us) thought he was the real Peter Parker.

And what a great #1 cover! A huge image of of Ben in his crimson suit with the torn blue hoodie, and notice the traditional Spider-Man costume has been relegated to the trashcan (ala ASM #50.) Though this time Ben was announcing to the world that Okay yeah, I'm Peter, but I'm also my own man with my own special way of doing things.

Steven Butler really did some amazing artistic work during this time.

So ... anyway ... this is a grail piece for me, and I want to thank Socrates for parting with this beauty.

Thanks for looking!










About The Owner

Member Since: November 2011
Last Login: July 2026
Country: UNITED STATES
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S Riz Member Since 2014
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

I know its only Feb but you win CAF post of the year in my book!  The stuff dreams are made of Paul.  Congrats! 

Paul P Spiderversity Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

S Riz wrote:
"  I know its only Feb but you win CAF post of the year in my book!  The stuff dreams are made of Paul.  Congrats! 
 "

Thanks, Riz!  I'm over the moon with this one :-)

COMIX ART Member Since 2021
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

Another museum piece Paul! Wowza 

1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

I can see why it's a grail!  It's gorgeous!

Kavi H Member Since 2018
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

As a fellow fan of the Clone Saga (I have all the Omnibus and everything) this is definately a grail level piece, so awesome. Congrats man!!

Paul P Spiderversity Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Kavi H wrote:
"  As a fellow fan of the Clone Saga (I have all the Omnibus and everything) this is definately a grail level piece, so awesome. Congrats man!!
 "

Yay, a fellow fan of the Clone Saga! A story so epic that it needed FOUR huge omnibuses!  Thank you for the congrats, Kavi.  

JN 80 Member Since 2016
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

Congrats on a major addition Paul!

James S Member Since 2017
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

Great looking cover, Paul!  And happy you grabbed a grail!

Casey A Member Since 2019
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

That costume is near and dear to so many of our hearts- glad it's nestled between all the other amazing pieces in your collection!

Stanton  Singh Member Since 2012
1    
Posted On 2/16/2025

Congratulations on your 'Viking Funeral' piece! The piece that you go to the grave with. Its a beauty!!!

Newell T aka Stingray Member Since 2017
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

I wasn't a huge fan of the clone saga, but I always had a bit of a soft spot for Ben Reilly back then. And man, what a cover! Congrats!

Toni S Member Since 2019
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

I like the way you use the word grail.You perfectly explain why this beautiful cover is a grail to you. Enjoy it! It is magnificent.

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

The Spidey event of the 90's!  Shocking cover to introduce that Ben Reilly has taken over this title!

Paul P Spiderversity Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Marcus Wai wrote:
"  The Spidey event of the 90's!  Shocking cover to introduce that Ben Reilly has taken over this title!
 "

Oh yeah!  I forgot to talk about the renaming aspect of the whole clone saga "Ben is Peter" reveal.  As you say, pretty shocking to have all four main Spidey titles suddenly rebooting with #1 issues and carrying the name Scarlet Spider for the 4-part Virtual Mortality story!  You even got Scarlet Spider Unlimited #1!  And during the next 4-part Cyberwar story (Amazing Scarlet Spider #2, Web Of Scarlet Spider #2, Scarlet Spider #2 and Spectacular Scarlet Spider #2), Ben would ditch the crimson suit and blue hoodie for his own variation of a more traditional Spider costume! Ben was assembling his own cast of supporting characters! A powerless Peter and MJ moved to Portland!  The titles then dropped the "scarlet" adjective and resumed the previous numbering, but Ben was seemingly here to stay!  It was crazy times, and I ate it up.

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005
2    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Paul P Spiderversity wrote:
"  Oh yeah!  I forgot to talk about the renaming aspect of the whole clone saga "Ben is Peter" reveal.  As you say, pretty shocking to have all four main Spidey titles suddenly rebooting with #1 issues and carrying the name Scarlet Spider for the 4-part Virtual Mortality story!  You even got Scarlet Spider Unlimited #1!  And during the next 4-part Cyberwar story (Amazing Scarlet Spider #2, Web Of Scarlet Spider #2, Scarlet Spider #2 and Spectacular Scarlet Spider #2), Ben would ditch the crimson suit and blue hoodie for his own variation of a more traditional Spider costume! Ben was assembling his own cast of supporting characters! A powerless Peter and MJ moved to Portland!  The titles then dropped the "scarlet" adjective and resumed the previous numbering, but Ben was seemingly here to stay!  It was crazy times, and I ate it up.
 "

You should ask Dan Jurgens about him launching that Spider-Man series with the new costume.  They lured him over from DC because they said Ben was going to be the true Spider-Man going forward.  I think I gave up when he gave up. 

Paul P Spiderversity Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Marcus Wai wrote:
"  You should ask Dan Jurgens about him launching that Spider-Man series with the new costume.  They lured him over from DC because they said Ben was going to be the true Spider-Man going forward.  I think I gave up when he gave up. 
 "

Now there's something I didn't know.  Very interesting!  But yeah, Dan Jurgens was the artist for the new Sensational Spider-Man title that came out at that time, replacing Web Of Spider-Man (which was the only book to also have a #3 and #4 issue with the 'Scarlet Spider' replacement in the title).

Jason G Member Since 2015
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Wow! A milestone piece! Steven Butler is underrated and this cover may be one of his best ever. Congrats!

Rick W Member Since 2017
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Frankly Scarlett, I give a damn!

Nick-le-Fou !! Member Since 2016
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Huge congrats, Paul!! You expressed my very own feelings about that time period of our favorite web-slinger (but you already know that.) Another stellar addition to you equally stellar collection. Happy for you.

Nick-le-Fou !! Member Since 2016
Posted On 2/20/2025

Nick-le-Fou !! wrote:
"  Huge congrats, Paul!! You expressed my very own feelings about that time period of our favorite web-slinger (but you already know that.) Another stellar addition to you equally stellar collection. Happy for you.
 "

Now we need to talk about that "coffin" thing, Paul. ;-)

stephen yarish Member Since 2004
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

awesome, congrats on achieving a grail!  Love the cover!

Peej Sy Member Since 2023
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Congrats, Paul! That's an awesome addition to your collection! 

Alberto Gonzalez Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

What an amazing cover!!! Such a typical 90s piece!!!

Eranga Devasurendra Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Such a memorable cover! Congrats, Paul!

John C Member Since 2014
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

That shriek was you? You almost made me choke on my McNugget.

K Gearon Member Since 2011
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Dude, YES!  One of these images that's just seared into our brains as Spidey fans!  The Scarlet Spider has arrived!  Comin' right atcha in this suh-weet swingin' cover image!  I mean...can't say much more.  Congrats on hitting such a big grail, man!

Duke  Fleed Member Since 2013
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Fabulous pick up!  It's a good thing you aren't planning on cremation..so future grace robbers could maybe bring this piece back to the world of the living.

Gregory S Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

Damn now that's a cover congrats 

Troy C. Punswick Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

One hell of a grail!  BIG CONGRATS!!!

Ruben DaCollector Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 2/17/2025

In the mid 90's when we were less jaded? Hell, I was already full on jaded a few years before that! More trusting? I trusted NO publishers at all by this point! That, and you certainly ARE incredibly gullible! But, it also IS a really cool cover and I LOVE the child-like exuberance you're exhibiting by owning this piece. May your sense of wonder never wane. Excelsior!

Byron B Member Since 2018
1    
Posted On 2/18/2025

Such a cool memorable cover. I love how scarlet spider was drawn in the 90's with the massive eyes and uber detail. Congrats.

Jimmy Cawley Member Since 2015
1    
Posted On 2/18/2025

Classic Spidey cover of the 90's! Score

West Stephan Member Since 2007
1    
Posted On 2/20/2025

That's a great cover! I like old suit in the trash can, referencing the classic ASM #50 cover! 

Dave W Member Since 2006
1    
Posted On 3/7/2025

I love a good grail acquisition story, especially with the rememberence of where you were when you ready it. A no-prize if you can remember your McD's order that day. Congrats Paul!

Pheng T Member Since 2006
Posted On 9/25/2025

Amazing just Amazing 

Killian Cramers Member Since 2017
Posted On 12/1/2025

I only saw this one just now, but that's a dream come true! As a huge Ben Reilly fan, this is one of his best and most iconic images!

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