THE ULTIMATE 100 DEBUT @ SECRET HEADQUARTERS

[MattBrady]

by David M. Gutiérrez

Over 300 comics enthusiasts turned up at Secret Headquarters in Hollywood, California Saturday evening to view the100 one-of-a-kind Ultimate Spider-Man covers at The Ultimate 100 gallery showing sponsored by the Hero Initiative.

The Hero Initiative, a charity organization devoted to helping comic creators in need, and Marvel Comics, married the idea of having 100 original variant covers drawn by different artists and auctioning them off. The proceeds from the auction will allow Hero to continue its mission of providing comic book professionals with aid.

Secret Headquarters was the perfect venue for the event, a store best described as classy with a healthy mix of indie cred and bookstore sensibility. Each Ultimate Spider-Man #100 cover was displayed individually on a series of racks. Attendance ran the gamut from infant to middle-aged. The audience packed the narrow store, shuffling around to get a view of each and every cover. Frank Cho’s drawing of Spider-Man and a very fetching Mary Jane and Todd McFarlane’s return to the webhead garnered the most comments. On separate display was the piece by Bill Morrison auctioned off later that evening.

Secret Headquarter owners David Pifer and David Ritchie were pleased by the turnout and to be the venue chosen to launch the auctions. “We’re proud to be involved in it,” says Pifer.

On hand were comic book professionals and cover contributors Mike Kunkel, Tone Rodriguez, Bill Morrison, and Hero Initiative President, Jim McLauchlin. Rodriguez said his jaw dropped when he saw the level of talent generated by the covers and was excited to see the Michael Golden cover. He was also there to remind everyone of the importance of the Hero Initiative and its cause. “You never know when you’re going to need help. How do you know where you’re going to be in five or ten years? The money goes to guys I admire, so it’s a no-brainer,” said Rodriguez.

Kunkel mirrored Rodriguez’ opinions on the auction. “[Jim McLauchlin] came to me and didn’t even have to ask. It goes to a good cause. And to be a part of Spider-Man history like this? It’s awesome.”

Bill Morrison was humbled to have his piece launch the auction. “ I was really flattered. It’s a big honor to be the first,” said Morrison. His cover garnered the Hero Initiative $425. As a bonus, the winner, Charles “Dr. Painfree” Lee, was also given a sketch of his choice from Morrison on the back cover of the Ultimate Spider-Man comic, a signed trade paperback of Avengers: World Trust that featured a story drawn by Morrison, and an additional sketch within the trade itself.

“It feels good. I’m glad I’m helping out a good cause,” said Lee on winning the auction. Lee, a comic art collector, was very pleased to add Morrison’s artwork to his extensive collection.

The remaining 99 covers will be available for viewing at the Orlando Megacon, with 20 to be auctioned off on site. A second 20 will be auctioned off at the New York Comic-Con, with the remaining covers made available for auction on eBay.

[KSChris]

Ok, Frank Cho's is definitely the best. By far.

[Sims]

This is such a great idea! Hope the money keeps rolling in!

[Sean Walsh]

Wow, I never heard of this endeavor until a few days ago. Very classy of Marvel to go to these lengths for a charity auction.

Is there a list of all the creators who did covers? Seeing McFarlane's name makes me think they scoured all areas of the entire industry for this...

[GOSD]

As someone said before, a small TPB of all these covers would sell quite a few copies..

Hope someone thought of this.

I'd buy a copy.

[Spideymark]

Check them all out here:

http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.572

Brilliant idea, too bad I'll never own any of them

[Scott King]

Is there a link somewhere that has a photo of each one?

edit:
nevermind the above post wasn't there a second ago

[Boxful]

CBR had an article that showed each of the covers.

Anyone else see something odd in the Tim Vigil cover? Way to give spiderman the nastiest phallic ever drawn.


Nevermind, I guess it's just unfortunate placement of veiny webbing.

[Volunteer]

I wonder what the Kunkel looks like. It's not in the gallery

[Snikkas]

I'll be honest, I cheated on Newsarama and looked at all 100 on another site and they omitted the Frank Cho one. Better known as The Cover I was most Looking Forward to.

After reviewing it above, it is by far the best.

I have also learned my lesson and will never look at another site again.

please forgive me Newsarama.

[Vyper]

Frank Cho all the way, baby!

[jeircho]

Would love for these artists to do a cover for Batman. I think that would rock!

[Sean Walsh]

Originally Posted by Spideymark

Check them all out here:

http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.572

Wow, those were great. A lot of old favs in there - Sal. Alex Saviuk, Luke Ross, Joe Bennett, Ron Frenz, Pat Olliffe....Very nice.

And I love that Quitely cover with Doc Ock.

...even though I'm trying to find Spider-Man on the Ed McGuinness covers....

[ssava]

It was a very cool experience being there.

I can't tell you guys what an honor it is having your work up next to the likes of John Romita (sr. and jr.), Todd McFarlane, Mike Wieringo, and all the others. I totally geeked out.

I think Frank blew everyone away with his penwork. He's so talented!

I agree. There definitely needs to be a collection. That would be awesome.

Thanks to Jim for letting me join in the fun.

[Zumbi]

The Herb Trimpe on is so cool. Nice use of the front and the back.

[EmeraldGuy32]

Originally Posted by GOSD

As someone said before, a small TPB of all these covers would sell quite a few copies..

Hope someone thought of this.

I'd buy a copy.

I sure would! Hell I'd pay a bit just to get scans of all those covers! Although, I'd hope that they wouldn't colour the sketches if they were collected..

[Kevinjt4]

Originally Posted by Boxful

CBR had an article that showed each of the covers.

Anyone else see something odd in the Tim Vigil cover? That guy is sick. Way to give spiderman the nastiest phallic ever drawn. I'm surprised Marvel gave him a shot a one of these covers. Stick to Faust, creep.

I'd take a Tim Vigil page any day. His artwork on Faust may be adult, but his study of the human body as an art form is at the top of the game. Linser and Cho come to mind when drawing the body as a beautiful art form as well.

Besdies; its webbing... get your head out of the gutter, creep.

[johnny.blaze]

Originally Posted by Spideymark

Check them all out here:

http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.572

Brilliant idea, too bad I'll never own any of them

hahahaa Wolverine STILL makes it in here:



My fave's gotta be McFarlane. DAMN, he is THE definitive spidey artist:

[Jeremy Holstein]

Originally Posted by Volunteer

I wonder what the Kunkel looks like. It's not in the gallery

Yeah, I was wondering about that as well.

You can see his version at this BLOG...

http://www.theastonishfactory.blogspot.com/

-J

[JSS]

awesome! now print these covers all up in a hardcore edition and send all the profits to the intitiative and ill buy one so i can go get every page signed at cons.

[BillReed]

Originally Posted by Boxful

CBR had an article that showed each of the covers.

Anyone else see something odd in the Tim Vigil cover? That guy is sick. Way to give spiderman the nastiest phallic ever drawn. I'm surprised Marvel gave him a shot a one of these covers. Stick to Faust, creep.

Yeah, 'caused webbing that sort of looks like a wang is totally worse than a naked chick on the cover from Cho, or a thonged ladybutt from Linsner. So it's okay for rampany female oversexuality but not even something implied from a dude? At least be an equal opportunity basher...

[McAlice]

Originally Posted by JSS

awesome! now print these covers all up in a hardcore edition and send all the profits to the intitiative and ill buy one so i can go get every page signed at cons.

A fantastic idea

[OcCaM]

Originally Posted by BillReed

Yeah, 'caused webbing that sort of looks like a wang is totally worse than a naked chick on the cover from Cho, or a thonged ladybutt from Linsner. So it's okay for rampany female oversexuality but not even something implied from a dude? At least be an equal opportunity basher...

Amen, the bias of some fanboys!

Personally, I think that Cho pic. was totally lacking in class, but I haven't looked at the Lisner one yet! I know I'd be embarrassed to show that Playboy worthy cartoon drawing to anybody in this household!

(And I won't even get into the fact I think Cho's artwork isn't all that pretty besides!)

I'd love to see that Kunkel cover myself, anybody got a link to it? I'd love to see a Herobear and Ult. Spidey team-up! That might actually get me to waste $$$ on Ult. Spidey!

Oh and that Suydam cover is great! Never enough undead loving from the man!

[McAlice]

Just saw the Ron Garney #1, fantastic
They got Gaiman too?

[Boxful]

Ah, don't get me wrong.

I loved Vigil's Faust series. I've got every issue on my shelf and got a few signed by Vigil himself. He is a fantastic artist, and excellent at human anatomy.

I wouldn't expect anything less