Sensational Spider-Man (Ben Reilly) by Todd Nauck

This is a big one. As you know, I have been collecting Ben Reilly commissions as long as I have been collecting art. My first commission was a Scarlet Spider for a reason. One of my favorite iterations of Ben Reilly is the one of "The Real Clone Saga" miniseries that Marvel publishes in the 00s.

So, it should come as no surprise that I have wanted a Todd Nauck Ben for a long, long time. I even had reference material dating back ten years... For a 30 year old, that's a long while ago!

When Todd was announced for Dutch Comic Con Fall Edition (November 2025), it was settled that I would be going (aside from Greg Rucka, of course). Now was the time for my "Ultimate Ben Reilly Todd Nauck Commission Idea" TM. As well as a picture with my Ben Reilly page he drew.

Typically, Todd's commission process has a specific way of signing up (one day before the show with a password etc.) and having to give 3 characters, but I explained my reasoning in an email a while ago. Todd loved the idea and character. Success!

What was my idea, though? On this one, my "art direction" was pretty strong. I knew what I wanted and asked Todd if he wanted to do: a Ben Reilly, split-face as Sensational Spider-Man with some of the big spider showing, and a city background.

I think my wife filmed my gleeful and surprised face when Todd's execution exceeded my expectations. The blending of the markers (which the scan did not pick up as nicely). The snowy cityscape (which has minute details). The choice for the jacket for Ben (I love it - and have the same one!).

A 10/10 commission which is now automatically one of my favorite Ben Reilly's. This one is done on 9x12 art board with pencils, inks and Toddd's legendary marker work. Thank you, Todd!