A free Spider-Man comic, distributed at the US Open, is now selling for up to $115 on eBay.
Marvel Comics and the US Open launched an original Spider-Man comic, distributed free to attendees at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Over 40,000 copies were given away during Fan Week, but despite their free status, certain versions of the comic have quickly become hot collector's items, selling for up to $115 on eBay.
The comic, written by Paul Allor with art by Angel Hernandez, colors by Chris Sotomayor, and letters by VC's Joe Sabino, follows Spider-Man battling Scorpion across New York's five boroughs. This initiative celebrates the city, a notable irony as Marvel Comics itself is in the process of relocating its operations from New York to Burbank.
Beyond the standard edition, a limited run of collectible covers exists, one for each of New York's five boroughs. These special covers, featuring Spider-Man against borough landmarks, are restricted to 1,000 copies each. The first 1,000 fans daily received one of these rare variants at random from a blind bag, fueling their collector appeal.
Nicole Kankam of USTA highlighted the creative concept, stating it amplifies the US Open's "Celebrating Our New York Story" theme. Nick Lowe, VP and Executive Editor for Marvel's Spider-Man, emphasized Peter Parker's connection to all five boroughs, celebrating the city's landmarks and the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
The unexpected secondary market for these free comics underscores the enduring appeal of Spider-Man and the power of limited-edition collectibles. What began as a promotional giveaway to enhance the fan experience at the US Open has quickly evolved into a sought-after item for comic enthusiasts and speculators alike.
