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Ron S UNITED STATES
Member Since June 2007
787 Artworks | Watched by 222

Amazing Spider-Man #12, page 1

Location: Amazing Spider-man, Spectacular Spider-man
Artist: Steve Ditko (All)

8033  Views  -  90  Comments  -  29  Likes

Amazing Spider-Man #12, page 1
Artwork Details
Location: Amazing Spider-man, Spectacular Spider-man
Title: Amazing Spider-Man #12, page 1*
Artist:  Steve Ditko (All)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Splash Page
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 8033
Likes on CAF: 29
Favorited on CAF: 6
Comments: 90
Added to Site: 3/6/2013

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Description
As I’ve continued my focus (ok, maybe obsession is the better word) with the Silver Age, it’s clear that a hole in my collection has been something really neat from the most famous character created by Marvel – and arguably the most popular comic book character in the world today, Spider-Man. Initially drawn by Steve Ditko and written by Stan Lee, the first 38 issues of Spider-man (plus Amazing Fantasy #15) are an incredible journey through creativity - I kid you not. What characters were introduced in those first issues? How about: Peter Parker, J. Jonah Jameson, Aunt May, Uncle Ben, Gwen Stacy, Flash Thompson, and Betty Brant, to name a few. There are more; Liz Allen, Frederick Foswell, and Mary Jane Watson (but, to be fair, we don’t see her face till the immortal issue #42).



How about villains? Well, try out the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, the Sandman, the Lizard, Electro, the Molten man, the Enforcers, Kraven the Hunter, the Vulture, the Scorpion, Mysterio, the Sinister Six, and the Chameleon among others. Whew!



Remember, that was all in those first three and a half years!



In reviewing the issues, I would tell you that not every story is perfect. And, some of the artwork is uneven, but when it’s good, it’s very, very good, and there is a lot of it that is simply great – it’s Ditko, for gosh sakes. The story telling is paramount, the style is distinctive, and it is sadly clear how the sales of OA have changed how artists draw these days. I was discussing the merits of a specific Kirby splash recently, and a friend was bemoaning the fact that if “Thor’s arm was an inch lower, the page would be worth a lot more. Why would Kirby have done that?” I’ll tell you. Because it looked better and more dramatic the way Kirby presented it. The same characteristics are evident in Spider-Man. In the Ditko era of Spider-Man, many of the page 1 splash pages are shot from behind - as if you are following Spider-man with a camera. I’ve seen people on these boards say “oh, another ‘Spidey-butt shot’”. Ever wonder why?



Well, after re-reading the stories, here’s my theory. It becomes pretty clear that if you’re introducing a new villain every month, you need to focus on the bad guy, not the hero. Best way to do that? Put the reader in Spider-Man’s boots. Does anyone think it would be done like that nowadays? No way. Today, I think we would see the villain and hero, face front, toe to toe, at a 45 degree angle. That wouldn’t make any sense in the context of the story or reality, but it would certainly make the page more marketable.



Since Ditko wasn’t focused on original art sales, but on getting people to turn the page, so the new villain had to take precedence. Remember, the goal was to set up the story and drag you in. The splash had to – in one page – let you know what’s going on, and convince you to plunk down your hard earned allowance for that book. A good example is the splash to Amazing Spider-Man #12. Although not shot from behind, Ditko set up the page to give you a glance into Peter Parker’s thoughts, and let you know what was waiting for you if were willing to jump in. It’s got Doc Ock, much of the supporting cast, and a large image of Peter in costume worried about continuing on as Spider-man. At this point in time, J. Jonah Jameson’s crusade against Spider-Man was working. He wasn’t loved by all of NY; in fact, many really believed that he was a menace. Doc Ock was a very dangerous opponent; Peter’s squeeze, Betty Brant, was upset about Pete’s attention to Liz Allen, and Spidey was losing his powers due to a virus. Oh, and Aunt May wasn’t in great health (of course for someone kind of frail, she’s lasted a pretty long time, but back then it was possible that she could go at any minute. Remember, they killed Uncle Ben!). It’s one page, but it brings you right into Spider-Man’s head, his concerns, problems, and boots. And, that makes you want to turn the page.



About The Owner

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Ron S
Badges: Premium Gallery Owner
Member Since: June 2007
Last Login: July 2026
Ebay Id: lihama5
Country: UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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David  Mandel Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/6/2013

Wonderful!
LB Jefferies Member Since 2003
Posted On 3/6/2013

BOOM!
Timothy Finney Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/6/2013

Well, since you went to all the trouble of posting it, the least I can do is look at it, enjoy it and rave about it. And you know something, I don't think I'll be the only one.
. BRAUNY Member Since 2007
Posted On 3/6/2013

WOW! That's a stunner! Congrats Ron!
Aidan (Re-Legion ) Lacy Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/6/2013

My, Oh MY !!
David O Member Since 2007
Posted On 3/6/2013

This piece has everything a Spider-Man fan could ever want. Congrats on a truly amazing piece my friend!
Tony K Member Since 2012
Posted On 3/6/2013

I absolutely love this page! Jackpot!
Chris C Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/6/2013

Rock Star Page....Rock Star Collection!!!
George H Member Since 2009
Posted On 3/6/2013

GRAIL GRAIL GRAIL!!! How do you do it!? Major congrats Ron!
Dan P Member Since 2009
Posted On 3/6/2013

Congrats on landing this awesome Ditko splash!
D. J. Peters Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/6/2013

Historic! Thanks for sharing! Amazing!!
Michael One Minute Later Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/6/2013

I would retire and stare at this piece all day long..in fact, when I retire, I look forward to visiting the Ron Sonenthal Comic Art Gallery....great piece!
Chris K. Member Since 2008
Posted On 3/6/2013

It would be perfect if it had a major villain...oh, wait...there's Dr. Octopus. Well, it would really be something with J.Jonah Jam....scratch that. No Spidey splash would be complete without Aunt May...who's right there in the lower left. Damn - I give up. It's the perfect Ditko Spidey title splash!
Dan F Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/6/2013

This Splash just reeks of Ditko... and that is a great thing.
Lee Benaka Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/6/2013

There are so many awesome aspects of this splash, but my favorite might be J. Jonah typing away while staring at a photo/drawing of Spidey tacked up above his typewriter. Congratulations on an amazing acquisition, Ron!
JONATHAN MANKUTA Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/6/2013

Congrats Ron! Glad to see that such a beautiful splash has found such a welcoming home!
Bill C Member Since 2009
Posted On 3/6/2013

Beautiful example from possibly the best comic run of all time IMO. You have an amazing collection of SA Marvel splashes- I'm curious who's next on your hit list? The Avengers? The FF? Ant Man?
Eric C Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/6/2013

Amazing!
Ray Cuthbert Member Since 2003
Posted On 3/6/2013

Congratulations on obtaining a great splash page and for writing an entertaining write-up about Ditko's Spider-man!
Thomas V Member Since 2008
Posted On 3/6/2013

Wow, this is fantastic!
frank x townsondecker Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/6/2013

INCREDIBLE!!!! congratulations!!!!!
Jeff Singh Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/7/2013

Stellar page. There really isn't much to say about perfection.
Eelco V Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/7/2013

Many congrats Ron! Wonderful!
J L Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/7/2013

You never cease to impress Ron. This is a great splash and I thought a good price too!!!! Congrats!!!!
Lloyd White Member Since 2007
Posted On 3/7/2013

Wow!!!
Oystein Sorensen Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/7/2013

A wonderful page.
Mark Levy Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/7/2013

Spectacular Spider-Man!
Mike W Member Since 2007
Posted On 3/7/2013

OH!!!!!! MY!!!!!!! GOD!!!!!!!!!
DW A Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/7/2013

Wonderful to see something like this - just spectacular
Carlos DS Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/7/2013

Another awesome pick up, my friend!! vintage Marvel magic !!!!!
bob fish Member Since 2011
Posted On 3/7/2013

unmasked !! a very impressive silver age page !! congrats
Cary Appel Member Since 2009
Posted On 3/7/2013

best of the best
Ken R Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/7/2013

Jaw-Dropping Ron! You're the man!
Rob  Pistella Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
Posted On 3/7/2013

Stunning addition Ron, and a perfect representation of Ditko's genius-- not to mention a nice biographical Spider-Man page! Bravo!
Gal Schwartz Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/7/2013

AMAZING piece !
Frederic Lorge Member Since 2007
Posted On 3/7/2013

A beautiful rendition of the harsh reality of being a hero. A very misunderstood one.
Gene Park Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/7/2013

Mega-congrats - an AMAZING piece of Marvel history!
larry clay Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/7/2013

I do not believe you could have possibly found a better example in the first 38 issues to own, displaying everything there was about Spiderman/ Peter Parker during that time. Outstanding!
James Halperin Member Since 2007
Posted On 3/7/2013

One of the greatest superhero splash pages ever! Heartiest congratulations!
Doc R Member Since 2010
Posted On 3/7/2013

Ron, Awesome. Another spectacular Ditko splash, this one from his flagship title. As a general statement I love montage splashes because they often tell more of a story than a single full splash image but are still every bit as beautiful without the lines and boxes of a panel page. Congratulations on another amazing museum quality piece. And the hits just keep on coming....
E DLS Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/7/2013

To steal from a line in this character's history. With great art comes great responsibility. I hope you not only enjoy this piece for a lifetime, but also preserve and protect it for the generations to come.
Sam 06 Member Since 2011
Posted On 3/7/2013

A dream! Congratulations!
alessandro gentili Member Since 2011
Posted On 3/7/2013

IT's INCREDIBLE !!!!! CONGRATS RON !!!!
alessandro gentili Member Since 2011
Posted On 3/7/2013

Another time ....THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Sisson Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/7/2013

Yes that is the Spider-man splash page of my dreams. It has all the emotion, all the characters, and all the drama that made me want to turn the page. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful piece.
Scott Williams Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/7/2013

It's hard to imaging a better Ditko Spidey example. Just a great and historical pickup, and I'm sure a true cornerstone of your collection.
Michael  Mikulovsky Member Since 2009
Posted On 3/7/2013

A epic splash of the silver age & Spidey! Congrads you lucky devil!
Alex B Member Since 2008
Posted On 3/7/2013

Congrats Ron for this stunning addition to the museum ! Simply one of the best Spider-Man pages ever and my favorite by Ditko.
Wesley Liu Member Since 2009
Posted On 3/7/2013

Steve Ditko pulled out all the stops on this epic splash!
Jovi Neri Member Since 2011
Posted On 3/7/2013

Greatness and history! Thanks for sharing this in CAF!
J. Hollon Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/8/2013

That's truly an amazing piece of art!
J W Member Since 2012
Posted On 3/8/2013

Brilliant page, congratulations.
J. Sid Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/8/2013

Amazing!
Andrew Van Embden Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/8/2013

You are certainly on a roll, as Ditko splashes don't come much better than this! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS
Steve Welch Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/9/2013

Wowsie wow wow! Congratulations Ron on another spectacular example of the best of the best!
COL (Ret) Churchill Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/9/2013

Well, I am Number 56 to post, but I think that you are setting the standard for comments with 55 registered in just 3 days with this outstanding splash. You know you have something special when this happens.
Shane Turgeon Member Since 2009
Posted On 3/9/2013

Absolutely stunning, Ron. Wow. Huge congrats! I must say i always love reading your descriptions of the art as well. You passion for silver age art is so very evident in your writing.
Jason Versaggi Member Since 2005
Posted On 3/10/2013

It should not be permitted for a collector to own a piece this gret. You are in big trouble.
Raymond Bryan Member Since 2011
Posted On 3/19/2013

Stellar!!!
Mark Howland Member Since 2004
Posted On 3/20/2013

Jaw-dropping good.
- Artemaria Member Since 2007
Posted On 3/22/2013

In the china closet filled with grails that is your collection, this is one of those pieces that reflects the halogen oh so much more brightly than others. As you said, nice Ditko splashes are hard to come by, and this one is fantastic, featuring my favorite Spidey villain, the entire cast and a couple of wild beasts to boot! If the implication in your description is correct, namely that in those magical three years Lee and Ditko created the whole cloth of Spidey mythology, then you've acquired a marvelous depiction of the heavens. Congratulations my friend on a truly exceptional acquisition!
Dietmar Krueger Member Since 2010
Posted On 3/23/2013

A class of its own!
Mike D Member Since 2004
Posted On 4/9/2013

Not much more that I can add other than a sincere congrats Ron. You have stellar taste and I eagerly await each and every update! :)
P.  L. Member Since 2011
Posted On 4/21/2013

the History of Comics!
Gordon Bartik Member Since 2013
Posted On 5/23/2013

Ron, an absolutely beautiful page from Ditko at his peak. A gorgeous find added to your magnificent collection. Bravo!
J J Member Since 2011
Posted On 6/12/2013

Wow, one of the best Ditko Spidey pages I've ever seen!
Mister A Member Since 2007
Posted On 7/5/2013

what a piece, what a collection.. oh.. now i see, it's a museum. congrants on your wonderfull collection
Daren Domina Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/15/2014

Stunning and historic!! Your great collection shines with "grail" level pieces.
PHILIPPE VIENNE Member Since 2012
Posted On 7/6/2014

all spider in a splash!!! respect!!
Fred's CAF Gallery Member Since 2003
Posted On 10/23/2014

!!! This page is SPECTACULAR !!!
Michael Kenyon Member Since 2008
Posted On 7/11/2015

History and honest insight about OA collectors and the artist.Genius****
Norman Felchle Member Since 2007
Posted On 5/1/2016

Great page...but I clicked "like" for your description.
S Riz Member Since 2014
Posted On 2/5/2018

A dream acquisition!! Congrats!
Matt  Todd Member Since 2014
Posted On 7/6/2018

This was always one of my favorite issues of Spider-Man. A beautiful piece by a master artist. Simply incredible!!!

 Bill J Member Since 2009
Posted On 8/23/2018

Wow! This is probably the finest Spider-Man page I've ever seen. The blurb on the page asks: "Who could ask for anything more?" Not me. This is just breathtaking!

 Terry Doyle Member Since 2004
Posted On 2/23/2021

Great splash, it's got everything you could wish for!

 Peter Sullivan Member Since 2006
Posted On 7/11/2021

Sadly for us all, the 'wild enthusiasm' of Steve Ditko did not last.

 Terry Doyle Member Since 2004
Posted On 2/7/2022

Up until issie 17 of ASM, the sequential story wouldn't actually commence until page 2 . . . with the splash pages serving the same kind of purpose as the covers . . . designed to (further) whett your appetite for the great story that would follow.  Many of these splash pages are easily cover-worthy and are a joy in themselves as standalone pieces of representative art for the ensuing story.  Surviving cover examples are far and few between, so such splash pages are easily the next best things to own (sometimes the splashes are even  better than the cover illustrations) . . . and this one's a great example!

 O P Member Since 2006
Posted On 2/13/2023

What a treasure!

 Robert Binkley Member Since 2011
Posted On 10/10/2023

Absolutely Amazing !!

 CJ Design Member Since 2018
Posted On 5/6/2024

Just Out of this World...I'm drooling...congrats

 CJ Design Member Since 2018
Posted On 5/6/2024

Just Out of this World...I'm drooling...congrats

 Phoenix’s Galactic Gallery Member Since 2018
Posted On 9/2/2024

Hey Ron,

What a MARVELous exposition on the Ditko style...very well thought out and detailed...and the achievement of owning a great Ditko Spidey splash from this early period is Amazing!

 Phill R Member Since 2010
Posted On 1/31/2025

A museum level piece if there ever was one!

 Al Simpleton Member Since 2013
Posted On 3/6/2025

Impressive! Beautifully composed masterpiece!

 Steven Dilworth Member Since 2012
Posted On 7/22/2025

I know I've looked at this before.  I can't believe I never commented on it.  Then again, what is there to say about one of the greatest pieces of Silver-Age Marvel art.  JJ in the bottom right is a timeless image.

 Mario Losada Member Since 2011
Posted On 9/18/2025

Having a Ditko Spider-Man splash page is like owning a precious gem.

 Peter Venkman Member Since 2003
Posted On 10/17/2025

Timeless touchdown, congrats !

 Comics Superworld Member Since 2007
Posted On 11/2/2025

You are the MAN!

 Rohan Joseph Member Since 2023
Posted On 5/21/2026

So killer!
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