Posted in: Comics, Heritage Sponsored, Vintage Paper | Tagged: amazing spider-man, mary jane

Mary Jane's Iconic Moment in The Amazing Spider-Man, Up for Auction

From a collector's perspective, The Amazing Spider-Man is one of those comic book series that seems to have an important key in every other issue, particularly through the Silver and Bronze Ages. There's a reason that Spider-Man has become one of the best-known fictional characters in the world, after all — his defining eras have been rich with compelling material.  Even in that context, some issues seem underappreciated, and Mary Jane Watson's iconic debut moments in Amazing Spider-Man #42 and #43 are among those. There's a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #42 CGC NM 9.4 , Amazing Spider-Man #43 CGC NM 9.4, and much more high-grade Amazing Spider-Man up for auction in this week's 2021 July 18-19 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122129 from Heritage Auctions.

Interestingly, Mary Jane's impending debut was teased out over the course of nearly two years in the Amazing Spider-Man series.  Peter Parker's Aunt May had originally told Peter that she was setting him up on a date with her neighbor Mrs. Watson's niece in Amazing Spider-Man #15.  The next year in Amazing Spider-Man #25, longtime Peter Parker love interests Betty Brant and Liz Allan were shocked by Mary Jane's beauty — although readers were not, as her face was hidden behind a strategically placed vase of flowers in her one-panel appearance.

Peter meets Mary Jane at last at the end of Amazing Spider-Man #42, in a cameo that features the iconic "Face it, tiger… you just hit the jackpot!" moment.  The pair then go on a date in Amazing Spider-Man #43 which consists of tracking down the whereabouts of the Rhino.  According to co-creator John Romita Sr., he based the character in part on Ann-Margret from the movie Bye Bye Birdie.

A hugely important character who debuted in comics in an utterly iconic way, Mary Jane's entry into the Spider-Man storyline is an underappreciated moment in Marvel history. There's a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #42 CGC NM 9.4, Amazing Spider-Man #43 CGC NM 9.4 and much more high-grade Amazing Spider-Man up for auction in this week's 2021 July 18-19 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122129 from Heritage Auctions.

The Amazing Spider-Man #42 (Marvel, 1966) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Mary Jane Watson's face shown for first time in cameo appearance on last page. Second appearance of Rhino. Foggy Nelson cameo. John Romita Sr. cover and art. Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $575. CGC census 7/21: 71 in 9.4, 43 higher.

The Amazing Spider-Man #43 (Marvel, 1966) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. First full appearance of Mary Jane Watson. Origin of the Rhino. John Romita Sr. cover and art. Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $425. CGC census 7/21: 66 in 9.4, 34 higher.

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