1992 Marvel Masterpieces Spider-Man vs. Venom Battle Spectra Card Art by Joe Jusko

“I had Spider-Man turned to confront Venom in my pencil sketch, which I felt heightened the anticipation of impact, but I was asked (by Marvel) to have Spidey somehow face the viewer. Editors are notoriously resistant to having figures face away from the camera. I relented… It’s a totally different narrative (the published painting) from what I intended, but it’s still a decent painting,” Joe says in an FPG Publishing Marvel Masterpieces book recently released, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Marvel Masterpieces.

Measuring 6 x 8.5, this piece is the fleshed out, advanced prelim of Jusko’s first outline sketch and concept. W/out this one, we don’t get the card we all know and love.

I believe this is also called a transfer sheet. It’s the final stage before Jusko would chalk it onto a board where he would later paint the final painting. This version of course was rejected by Marvel, making it the most complete state of the originally intended image.

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