The Todd McFarlane runcovers Amazing Spider-Man #298-328 (1988-1990) then Spider-Man #1-16 (1990-1991). Key issues: ASM #298 (1st Venom cameo, $200–400 in 9.8), ASM #300 (1st full Venom, $2,000–4,000 in 9.8), ASM #316 (1st Venom cover, $400–700 in 9.8), Spider-Man #1 (record 2.5 million copies sold, $50–150 in 9.8 depending on variant).
Todd McFarlane redefined the Spider-Man aesthetic between 1988 and 1991. His dynamic style — the spaghetti spider webs, the impossible poses, the big eyes of the mask — became the character's visual reference for an entire generation. His stint on Amazing Spider-Man (#298-328) then his own Spider-Man series (#1-16) constitutes one of the most collected runs in comics history.
In 2026, McFarlane key numbers remain extremely in demand. The combination of artistic value, narrative importance (introduction of Venom), and reader nostalgia for the 90s supports high prices and excellent liquidity in the secondary market.
Amazing Spider-Man #298-328: keys from the ASM run
McFarlane's run on Amazing Spider-Man begins at #298 and ends at #328. Here are the key numbers with their CGC 9.8 ratings (2024-2026 sales):
| Number | Importance | CGC 9.8 (USD) | CGC 9.6 (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASM #298 | 1st Eddie Brock/Venom cameo, 1st McFarlane on ASM | $200 – $400 | $80 – $150 |
| ASM #299 | 2nd Venom cameo (last page) | $150 – $250 | $60 – $100 |
| ASM #300 | 1st full appearance Venom | $2,000 – $4,000 | $800 – $1,200 |
| ASM #301 | Silver Sable cover, McFarlane classic pose | $100 – $180 | $40 – $70 |
| ASM #306 | Tribute to Action Comics #1 | $80 – $150 | $35 – $60 |
| ASM #312 | Green Goblin vs Hobgoblin | $80 – $140 | $35 – $55 |
| ASM #315 | Return of Venom, start of the 2nd symbiote arc | $100 – $180 | $45 – $75 |
| ASM #316 | 1st cover Venom full, McFarlane icon | $400 – $700 | $150 – $250 |
| ASM #317 | Venom vs Spider-Man, legendary splash pages | $80 – $130 | $35 – $55 |
| ASM #325 | Red Skull, Captain America crossover | $60 – $100 | $25 – $45 |
| ASM #328 | McFarlane's latest ASM, Hulk crossover | $80 – $140 | $35 – $60 |
Spider-Man #1-16: The McFarlane Solo Series
After leaving Amazing Spider-Man, McFarlane got his own series simply titled "Spider-Man". #1 (August 1990) broke the sales record at the time with around 2.5 million copies, subsequently eclipsed only by Jim Lee's X-Men #1.
Spider-Man #1 exists in multiple variants:
- Regular (green cover, not polybagged):$50 – $100 in CGC 9.8
- Silver Edition (polybagged, UPC):$80 – $150 in CGC 9.8
- Gold Edition (2nd print, direct):$60 – $120 in CGC 9.8
- Platinum Edition (limited edition, rare):$500 – $1,500 in CGC 9.8
- Gold UPC (newsstand gold):$200 – $400 in CGC 9.8, very rare
The following most sought-after numbers in the series:
- Spider-Man #5:Transformed Lizard, Metamorphosis cover. $40 – $80 in 9.8.
- Spider-Man #6-7:Ghost Rider crossover. $35 – $70 in 9.8.
- Spider-Man #8:Wolverine, Wendigo. $35 – $60 in 9.8.
- Spider-Man #13:Morbius the Living Vampire. $40 – $80 in 9.8.
- Spider-Man #16:Last McFarlane, X-Force crossover. $50 – $100 in 9.8.
Lizard blankets: a popular collection subset
McFarlane drew several covers featuring the Lizard in spectacular fashion, notably on Spider-Man #5 and the covers for "Torment" (Spider-Man #1-5). This first story arc — a dark, near-silent story of Spider-Man versus the Lizard — is considered a visual masterpiece even if the storyline divides fans.
A complete Spider-Man #1-5 ("Torment" arc) set in CGC 9.8 sells for between $200 and $350 depending on the variants chosen for #1. It's a visually impressive and relatively affordable package for a full McFarlane run.
Collection strategy: complete run vs key issues alone
There are two possible approaches to collecting the McFarlane:
“Key issues” approach:Focus your budget on ASM #298, #300, #316 and Spider-Man #1 Platinum. Estimated total budget in CGC 9.8: $3,000 – $6,000. These are the numbers with the highest resale value and the best liquidity.
“Full run” approach:Acquire ASM #298-328 + Spider-Man #1-16 (47 issues). In CGC 9.8, total budget: $8,000 – $15,000. In raw NM: $1,500 – $3,000. A full McFarlane slab run is an impressive display and sells at a 10-20% "set" premium over individual sales.
For modest budgets, the non-key run issues (ASM #302-305, #307-311, #313-314, etc.) are available for $30-$60 in CGC 9.8, making them very accessible entry points for starting a McFarlane collection.
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