This is the one we’ve been waiting for…
When Marvel began its Facsimile Edition line some years back, the one issue I wanted more than any other was — and has been — The Amazing Spider-Man #129, featuring the first appearance of the Punisher.
It’s not that I’m a big Punisher guy or anything, it’s that it’s the one hole in my personal Bronze Age Spider-Man collection. Buying an original is cost-prohibitive for me (and most, I’d wager), so a Facsimile Edition would be the best possible stand-in.
Well, Marvel on Thursday announced in its solicitations that we’ll be getting one — finally!
Dig the official solicitation info:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #129 FACSIMILE EDITION
Written by GERRY CONWAY
Penciled by ROSS ANDRU
Cover by GIL KANE
He’s different…he’s deadly…he’s the Punisher! But why does he have Spider-Man in his sights? Find out as Frank Castle makes his mighty Marvel debut in an all-time classic from legendary creators Gerry Conway and Ross Andru! The Punisher’s relentless war on crime has enthralled readers for decades — but it all began here, as the lethal vigilante is manipulated by the scheming Jackal into targeting Spidey! Frank only kills those who deserve to die — and he believes the “web-slinging menace” has earned just such a fate! Now, as Spider-Man and the Punisher clash for the first time, a rivalry for the ages is born! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #129.
32 PGS./All Ages… $3.99
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A few thoughts:
— I own an earlier reprint of this issue, as well as Marvel Tales #106, which republished the story. But this is, I do believe, the first time we’ve gotten a full-on reprint with all the ads, letters and whatnot. If I’m wrong, correct me in the comments.
— The ish is due Feb. 22, 2023. Can’t wait.
— Hey, Marvel’s got another Facsimile Edition coming in February. Click here for that.
— Standard Price Comparison: An unslabbed, NM copy of the original recently sold on eBay for $6,034. The Facsimile Edition? Four clams.
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MORE
— MARVEL Sets Date For Next Bronze Age AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLLECTION. Click here.
— PEAK SPIDER-MAN: The Enduring Power of the CONWAY-ANDRU Team. Click here.
November 17, 2022
There is a reprint from 1992 that has all the ads and letter columns, it was released as part of the Marvel Milestone Editions. I have a copy I picked up in the late ’90s for cover price (a whopping $2.95 back then!)
Marvel Milestones were recogizable by their silver borders on the cover (I also have a Reprint from this line for Amazing Spider-Man 149l
November 20, 2022
I have a reprint from the time the Thomas Jane movie came out, but alas, no ads. I was able to procure an original 5.0 copy about 3 years ago, for less than you might think. I lucked out. The only holes in my ASM collection are #s 1-4 and 9. I’m hoping to land a 9 come tax refund time.