Debut Edition of Spider-Man Comic Headed to Auction

CALVERTON, N.Y. (AP) — A 1962 debut edition of a Spider-Man comic book that originally sold for a mere 12 cents could fetch $400,000 or more at an upcoming auction.

Unemployed supermarket baker Walter Yacoboski bought the book, "Amazing Fantasy" No. 15, for $1,200 back in 1980. He says he figured it would be a good investment.

Lon Allen of Dallas-based Heritage Auctions says there are probably 4,000-to-5,000 copies of "Amazing Fantasy" No. 15 in circulation, but Yakoboski's copy is in nearly mint condition.

Yacoboski has amassed a huge collection of comic books, but has not sold any until now. He wants to use the proceeds to purchase his late father's 17-acre Long Island vegetable farm.