Spectacular Spider-Man #137 Cover by Sal Buscema
Artist: Sal Buscema (All)
2,144 Views - 33 Comments - 16 Likes
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Spectacular Spider-Man #137 Published Cover
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis is one of those covers whose image transcends the story inside as well as the nostalgia for the era. Spectacular Spider-Man was one of my favorite reads on my pull list because of Sal Buscema's stylish evolution of his Spider-Man design. His work evolved and it had this real angular look that did not grab me at first but that I really grew to love and appreciate. This particular cover has long been a favorite example of his stellar run on the title.I have never been a fan who subscribed to the black costume craze. Yes I liked the costume knowing that it had to be a temporary change - as Spidey's original costume is one of the all-time great costume designs and when you are the Yankees you just don't mess with your uniform (I'm not a Yankees fan, that is more a business truism). The black costume worked as a story-line. It was an organic change rather than awkwardly forced down readers throats. That being said, I always yearned for the classic costume to return. On this cover, though, the costume works because of the lighting and the lighting is a major draw for me here. I'm not an art history major so I'm not one to over-analyze those components but I do love the layout as it relies on the light illuminating a dark setting. Light coming in from a stained glass window and candlelight allowing the combatants to see each other in what would have been a darkened church interior. It just grabs me and mesmerizes me. It is also a Gothic image with strong elements of Catholicism - which is a rarity. While it is my faith, I am far from a bible-thumper, but the VERY rare image of Jesus on a superhero comic cover has always intrigued me on this one. This may in fact be the first appearance of Jesus on a Marvel cover as I cannot recall another one. I could be wrong but I just like the truly creative way which Sal weaved that imagery into the scene. The combination of light and image really create a genuine warmth to this piece. The colorist also did a wonderful job as both the original art AND published cover look fantastic. Finally, it is a GREAT battle scene with a strong Spidey image and a classic Spidey villain in Tarantula which is a very reminiscent pose to the very first issue of Spectacular Spider-Man. All in all just a supremely classic cover and one of the very best from a very long list of great covers created by the masterful Sal Buscema. Spectacular Spider-Man #137 April, 1988 "Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide" Writer: Gerry Conway Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Jimmy Cawley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
A feast for the eyes. Your description and admiration of the subject shows it went to the right caretaker.
You should of waited a few more weeks and posted on Christmas! 🎄
J M 
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Holy guacamole, I know whose hands you pried this out from lol ,I love this cover , it’s so well done congrats Jason
Duke Fleed
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Lots to love on this cover. Black Costume, Tarantula and of course Jesus Christ! Very cool cover - officially jelous!
Aidan (Re-Legion ) Lacy
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Bill J wrote:
Great cover! And a great write-up I might add.
On both scores I agree 100%
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Wow, Jason, what a great get! To me, one of the best straight up battle images from Spectacular Sal's renowned run! I always liked the juxtaposition of Tarantala's red and blue costume vs. Spidey's black. And great write up - congrats!
JN 80
Member Since 2016
Posted on 12/4/2018
Another stellar addition Jason. Your enthusiasm clearly shows in your detailed description. Congratulations on this beauty
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
Posted on 12/4/2018
Battle cover? Check. Major villain? Check. Black costume? Check. One of the best Spidey artists ever? Check. Is this cover Spectacular? A definitive CHECK! Congrats!
Jonathan Mueller
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/4/2018
Among the thousands of covers that we readers/collectors are exposed to during our formative collecting days, some just stick with ya more than others, this is definitely once such cover for me. Probably Sal Buscema's most memorable cover for me. Lovely eddition, congrats!
Vincent Zurzolo
Member Since 2005
Posted on 12/4/2018
What a great cover! Love it! THE TARANTULA!!!!
T Shen
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/4/2018
I agree with you on the costume change. Also I love how the line art without the color shows how the Tarantula is almost a negative of Spidey's black costume. Awesome cover!
Shelton Bryant
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/4/2018
Luv the Structural Break-Down of The Black Costume. When it comes to Explosive and Dynamic covers and Pages. . BETTER CALL SAL!!!
J L
Member Since 2005
Posted on 12/8/2018
Really great cover Jason. The only other time I rememebr a Tarantula
cover is Peter Parker SSM #1. Congrats!!!!
John C
Member Since 2014
Posted on 12/10/2018
Never bring up Scentsy in my presence again. How many times do I have to remind you? I’m a Yankee Candle man.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
Posted on 9/2/2021
I am with you on the costume change thing. Gimmick time anyone? And there are still suckers falling for it. I bought my copies at the time. I feel sorry for people who pay mad money for old comics which there are many, many copies of, in storage. X-Men leather costumes, anyone? Lol. Abysmal costume changes litter the genre. It did sort of work as a temporary change, then they made it ridiculous, by giving it a big slobbering tongue, lots of sharp little teeth and calling it Venom. Good old Marvel. Stop messing around. How many Hulk variants and X-books can you fool fools into buying. Fantastic cover by the way.
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