Back in 2008, I began thinking about collecting original comic art. While researching the space, I came across a website by renowned collector Bill Woo. He had so many incredible pieces, but one that completely stood out to me was a Spider-Man #11 splash page by Todd McFarlane. It was one of the coolest things I had ever seen.
The perspective showed Spidey crouched on the side of a building, facing straight downward while looking over NYC. I loved that orientation. It felt so unique compared to the typical ways Spidey had been portrayed. It captured the feeling of a truly superhuman being, someone who could attach himself to walls and defy gravity in any direction.
It also looked completely different in black and white compared to the finished color version.
Several years ago, I got back into collecting comics, and I found myself wondering what ever happened to that piece I loved so much. Then, in the winter of 2023, it came up in a Heritage auction. It was printed in high resolution as the inner cover of the auction catalog and was also featured in the oversized McFarlane Spider-Man Artist Edition book.
Unfortunately, I was not in a position to go after it at the time. But honestly, I regretted it ever since. For the next few years, I kept thinking about that piece and wondering if I would ever see it again. I started following the hobby more closely and began searching YouTube, watching collectors and dealers showcase original art.
Then, in February 2025, I saw a video from OAX. West Coast Davengers was recapping the convention and flipping through art portfolios. Around the 30-minute mark, he began flipping through a portfolio full of McFarlane pieces.
And there it was. He let out an audible gasp, and so did I.
I had to find out who owned that portfolio. Dave couldn’t remember, so I started reaching out to other collectors I knew in the hobby. I want to thank everyone who helped along the way. The collecting community has been incredibly supportive.
This portfolio felt like a ghost, a phantom, a spectre. It was impossible to track down.
Then, a few months ago, my friend Phoenix Light mentioned that he might know who owned it. Phoenix is one of the top original art collectors in the world and has become a trusted friend who has generously guided me through my collecting journey.
We had discussed this piece many times, and he even looked for it at OAX 2026. When it wasn’t there, I started to think the hunt might finally be over.
Then Phoenix joined the search in full force.
He reached out through his network and eventually found a lead on a private collector. The piece wasn’t publicly shown in his CAF collection, but after I reached out directly, I received the message I had been hoping for:
The piece was coming back to auction.
Fast forward.
BOOM.
Grail piece secured.
I’m incredibly happy and grateful to finally have this piece in my collection. This image has meant a lot to me since the first time I saw it nearly two decades ago, and it feels surreal to finally own it.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this and to everyone who helped me along the way. I truly appreciate it and look forward to sharing more stories soon.
McFarlane Spider-Man.
EXCELSIOR AND ‘NUFF SAID!
