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The Vegas Comic Kingdom

Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #242 (Newsstand)

Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #242 (Newsstand)

$20.00 USD
$20.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Picture Spider-Man swinging through NYC, dodging deadlines and daydreaming about his gal, when—BZZT!—the Mad Thinker rolls up, not in his usual nerdy sweater but as a sleek, ruthless Awesome Android, built to test one burning question: Is Spidey’s spider-sense legit or just a lucky hunch? This isn’t your average slugfest—the Thinker’s playing 4D chess, using his shiny new body to push Spidey’s reflexes to the limit with traps, tricks, and enough tech to make Tony Stark jealous. Will Spider-Man outwit the android or get debugged for good? Meanwhile, Peter Parker’s love life takes a wrecking-ball hit (no spoilers, but grab tissues—it’s Roger Stern at his emotional best). It’s a high-octane mix of brainy battles and heart-shredding drama, with Stern’s razor-sharp script and Romita Jr.’s dynamic art making every panel feel like a Marvel blockbuster.
This issue’s peak 1980s Spidey—big stakes, bigger feels, and a villain who’s half Einstein, half Terminator. The Mad Thinker’s quirky brilliance and Peter’s romantic rollercoaster ground the sci-fi in classic Parker pain, making it a standalone gem that hits all the right circuits.
Key Character Appearances
  • Spider-Man (Peter Parker): Your friendly neighborhood multitasker, dodging android punches and romantic gut-punches with weary quips.
  • Mad Thinker: The egghead villain, now jacked into an Awesome Android, scheming to crack Spidey’s spider-sense like a math problem.
  • Awesome Android: The Thinker’s souped-up ride, a hulking tech-toy stealing the show with brute force and zero chill.
  • No major supporting cast—Peter’s love-life drama takes center stage, with no Aunt May or MJ to soften the blow.
  • No other big villains—the Thinker’s brain and bot are more than enough to keep Spidey sweating.
Current Value – What’s It Worth Today?
As of April 2025, The Amazing Spider-Man #242 is a mid-tier collectible with extra juice from Stern, JRJR, and the Mad Thinker’s cult cred. Raw copies in Very Fine (VF) condition (crisp, with light wear) sell for $12–$20, while Near Mint (NM) copies fetch $25–$40. Graded slabs? A CGC 9.8 (cleaner than a Thinker algorithm) runs $120–$200, with 9.6s at $60–$100. Newsstand editions (check that barcode) might snag a 5–10% premium for rarity. Rough copies in Good to Fine shape go for $5–$10, depending on how many “android dents” they’ve got. The emotional plot and villain keep it hotter than random issues, but no keys cap its ceiling.
Expected Value – Will This Comic Compute Profits?
Let’s talk trends, because ASM #242 has some processing power! Mad Thinker is a niche gem—his Fantastic Four roots and rare Spidey clashes make him a draw for villain collectors, especially with the Awesome Android adding retro-cool flair. Roger Stern and John Romita Jr. are the killer apps—Stern’s run is Spidey legend, and JRJR’s early art is gold for fans of his pre-Superman days. The love-life drama resonates with fans who live for Peter’s Parker luck, giving it emotional staying power. No first appearances or deaths hold it back from key-issue hype, but the Thinker’s quirky menace and the android’s muscle keep it humming.
The 2025 comic market’s stable, with Bronze Age Spidey a reliable pick. If the Mad Thinker pops up (say, a Fantastic Four: First Steps nod post-2025 or a tech-villain arc in Avengers), raw VF copies could hit $15–$25 and NM $30–$50 in 12–18 months. Graded 9.8s might surge to $200–$300 with a villain spike. More likely, expect 5–10% growth through 2027—steady like Spidey’s sense, but not a data explosion. Long term, Spidey’s king, and Stern/JRJR’s rep make it a safe bet, especially if brainy baddies trend at cons like C2E2 2025. Bonus: the love-life angle could click if Peter’s romance arcs (MJ drama, anyone?) heat up in Spider-Man 4 buzz.
Why You NEED This Comic
  • Thinker’s Tech Tangle: The Mad Thinker’s android-fueled brain games make Spidey work for every web-shot.
  • Stern & JRJR Rule: Their combo delivers action and angst with art that’s pure 1980s lightning.
  • Parker’s Pain Hits Hard: The love-life twist is a knife to the heart—classic Spidey suffering.
  • Sci-Fi Showdown: Awesome Android vs. spider-sense is a nerdy thrill for fans of smart fights.
  • Budget-Friendly Bop: Grab a Spidey classic without crashing your circuits, with sneaky upside.
Don’t Crash—Grab It Now!
The Amazing Spider-Man #242 is like hacking into a Marvel mainframe—clever, emotional, and packed with punches that land. Whether you’re a Spidey stan, a Stern/JRJR fanboy, or just vibing with villains who think they’re the smartest guy in the room, this issue’s a keeper that’ll compute on your shelf. It’s the kind of comic you’ll flex when the Mad Thinker’s next scheme goes viral. So, don’t let this one short-circuit—swing over to our store and nab this brilliant treasure before it reboots out of reach!
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