Original art for 1973 Spider-Man cover has current high bid of $268, 875

Live bidding on the Johnny Romita's cover art for Amazing Spider-Man #121 has commenced at Heritage Auctions.

The loss of Gwen marked nothing less than an end to the carefree fun and offbeat innocence of the Silver Age era. Spider-Man and the Marvel Age of Heroes were never quite so merry after this story.

John Romita Sr. Amazing Spider-Man #121 "The Night Gwen Stacy Died"

(Via CBR)

Previously:
Batman drawing sells for $448,125

Mark Frauenfelder is the founder of Boing Boing and the editor-in-chief of MAKE and Cool Tools. Twitter: @frauenfelder. Come and hear Mark speak at the ALA conference in Chicago on July 1.

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kongjie

My favorite part of that cover is how Marvel had to assure the readers that it wasn’t a typical cover exaggeration, a trick, a dream sequence, an alternate universe.
- Thad Boyd
  
  Actually, that’s part Stan Lee hucksterism and partly a knock at DC. While Marvel was certainly known for exaggerated covers, DC was the publisher more prone to end major stories with “Yes, dear reader — this was an imaginary story!”
http://burntheflag.ca Jardine

Does this cover work as a counter to the Avengers poster controversy?

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/601922/thumbs/o-SEXIST-AVENGERS-POSTER-KEVIN-BOLK-570.jpg?4
planettom

“The loss of Gwen”

Too soon!

Spoilers!
Julie Andrews

Hurray for gratuitous non-female butt shot!
- Donald Petersen
  
  Yeah, but it’s a disappointingly unsculpted cleavage-free butt shot. My man Spider-Man ain’t got no can.
  - Antinous / Moderator
    
    Maybe they were trying to avoid the perception that Spider-Man produces silk exactly like a spider.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=623320678 Nate Bennett

I actually own this comic and the one after. Great little story. Maybe they’ll increase in value now.
- spiderking
  
  I’m pretty sure I had it too. But like many 70′s kids, I just chucked it in a pile of books and magazines, and mom threw it out after awhile.
BDiamond

The irony? The story was not pencilled by the by-then-iconic John Romita (who drew this cover art). It was pencilled by Gil Kane.
- Thad Boyd
  
  How’s that ironic, exactly? Comic book covers are frequently drawn by different people from their interiors.
  
  Hell, the cover of Spider-Man’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 was drawn by Jack Kirby even though the interior was by Steve Ditko.
Mister44

Is this being sold by John Romita, or does the poor guy not see a dime from his work. I think in the 70s they were giving artwork back to the penciler with some pages going to the inker. But he may not have gotten it back, or gave it away years ago.
L_Mariachi

Why did they always draw Aunt May looking like the Crypt Keeper? If you didn’t know who the character was you’d assume it’s some undead arch-lich that Spidey needs Dr. Strange’s help to banish.