A GREAT harbinger of potential cross-company Facsimiles…
BIG news, folks! Marvel in October will be releasing 1996’s Amalgam Comics Spider-Boy #1 as a Facsimile Edition — the first cross-company FE ever released.
Dig Marvel’s official description:
After almost thirty years, SPIDER-BOY #1, one of the all-time great DC/Marvel crossover comic books, will be boldly re-presented in its original form — ads and all — in SPIDER-BOY #1 FACSIMILE EDITION!
On sale in October, SPIDER-BOY #1 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints SPIDER-BOY #1 by writer Karl Kesel and artist Mike Wieringo. The iconic one-shot was originally published in 1996 by Amalgam Comics, a joint imprint by Marvel Comics and DC that introduced dozens of new heroes, each created by merging popular characters from both comic book universes. The project was an industry sensation, and SPIDER-BOY, a mix of Spider-Man and Superboy, was one of the standout stars! Now, fans can pick up the character’s rare first appearance and revisit the unique world of Amalgam Comics just in time for Marvel and DC’s newest groundbreaking collaboration—DEADPOOL/BATMAN and BATMAN/DEADPOOL!
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Several thoughts:
— I know what you’re thinking: Does this mean that we might get the Superman vs. Spider-Man, Batman vs. Hulk, etc., treasuries as Facsimiles? Well that’s the beauty of the word “might”: anything is possible. Unlike DC, Marvel has so far stayed away from treasury Facsimile Editions, but you know how this works: Sales play a huge part, so vote with your dollars — and tell your LCS what you want. They’ll get the word up the line.
— Spider-Boy #1 will be formally solicited by Marvel this week. The October release puts it between the two publishers’ upcoming one-shots: September’s Deadpool/Batman #1 from Marvel and November’s Batman/Deadpool #1 from DC.
— We mentioned earlier this month that Marvel would have four Facsimile Editions in October. Click here for the other three.
— More description from Marvel: “As iconic heroes of two worlds collide in the Amalgam Universe, get ready to meet Pete Ross – your friendly neighborhood clone known as Spider-Boy! Join the amazing Arach-Kid mid-fight as he protects Project Cadmus from the deranged D.N.Alien, Bizarnage! But even if he can solve that problem, big trouble lies ahead courtesy of a somehow giant-sized King Lizard! Can Spider-Boy bring his reptilian rogue down to size in time to meet the blind date lined up for him by his ally, Otto Octavius? Face it, tiger – you’re dying to find out!”
— Obligatory Price Comparison: An unslabbed, VF/NM copy of an original Spider-Boy #1 recently sold on eBay for $20, but you can get it for a whole lot less. The Facsimile Edition will go for roughly $5. But this is all about the context, isn’t it…
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MORE
— MARVEL Sets Dates For October’s Fab FANTASTIC FOUR and X-MEN Facsimile Editions. Click here.
— MARVEL Sets Dates For September’s Three Landmark Facsimile Editions. Click here.
July 22, 2025
Thoughts:
1) I did not see this coming. Honestly, I would have guessed treasury-sized Superman vs. Spider-Man or Batman vs. Hulk would have been on the table first.
2) This slightly de-incentivizes me to go track down the Amalgam Omnibus. (I’ve been waiting for the price to come down somewhere.)
3) Is there any word on what facsimile run is going to follow X-Men and FF (and Civil War will be done in February)? I think it was around this time Marvel announced the X-Men/FF runs, so, I feel like we’re due. Don’t end the facsimile game–I’m enjoying it more than most monthly comics.
July 22, 2025
I’m down for the Superman vs. Spider-Man. 100%!
July 22, 2025
No word yet, but it is SDCC week, so… Either way, we’ll know for sure in October.
July 22, 2025
Looking back on this issue I’m reminded of legal hurdles when two giants team up, especially down the road. It seemed they didn’t want these to be too successful otherwise who owns it long term, etc.
July 22, 2025
Spider-Boy was, in my opinion, the best of all the Amalgam first series. It really felt like a fully realized character with personality.
Had it continued, I would have certainly kept on reading.
In the second series, my favorite was Challengers of the Fantastic, for the same reasons.
And I’m still surprised about Dr. Strangefate. I kinda expected it would be something like “Adam Strange, Supreme Sorcerer of Planet Rann”.
July 22, 2025
Sorry, but getting kind of sick of seeing loads of new facsimile editions of books every week…
I enjoy reprints in trade paperbacks
July 23, 2025
OK.
July 23, 2025
Good contribution!
July 23, 2025
I had this when I was a kid so I’m gonna get it. I hope they do Spider-Boy Team-Up as well, that one was wildly inventive with great Ladronn art.
July 23, 2025
July 2025 would have been the perfect month for DC and Marvel to re-release the Superman / Fantastic Four tabloid book.
August 14, 2025
JLA/AVENGERS, anyone?
…. anyone?
September 2, 2025
I’ve gotta wonder if this was triggered by Marvel’s new Spider-Boy causing DC to say “Whoa, there, that’s a shared trademark between DC and Marvel…” This facsimile may somehow be part of an arrangement to resolve a threatened dispute by re-establishing the shared trademark. Not that I can guess just *how* this would smooth anything over, but I wouldn’t think Marvel would be participating in a reprint of this right after they began establishing a Marvel-only Spider-Boy, since that inevitably cements DC’s status as a co-owner of the trademark.