By Ryan Riley, Contributor
If you've been to a comic book store lately, you might have noticed that a particular comic book issue with a cameo appearance by a certain newly-elected president going for upwards of $200.00 at comic book stores. Amazing Spider-Man #583 contains a back-up story with Spidey preventing a rather clumsy attempt to take the place of Barack Obama at his inauguration by C-list Spider-Man villain the Chameleon. It is the best-selling single issue of a comic book since, well, the Obama biographic comic from IDW. The issue is in such high demand that a first printing is selling for a king's ransom, and Marvel is releasing a fifth printing of the issue to satisfy all takers.
The creative team on Amazing Spider-Man, writer Zeb Wells & artist Todd Nauck, will be signing copies of the Obama issue over at Pulp Fiction comics on February 14, 2009. So ladies, before your man takes you out for a night on the town for Valentine's Day, humor him with a slight detour over to Pulp Fiction and buy a signed copy.
I recently had the opportunity to ask artist Todd Nauck some questions about the issue. Here's what he had to say regarding the issue and its historic impact on the comic book industry.
Modern Mythology: Who at Marvel came up with the idea for the Obama cameo in Amazing Spider-Man?
Todd Nauck: I'm not sure who exactly. All I know is the Spider-Man editor, Steve Wacker, contacted me to see if I was available to draw a 5-page story.
Modern Mythology: Describe for us the reaction you had when you found out that you were assigned to do this story.
Todd Nauck: When I was first contacted, I didn't even know what it was until the next day. And when I found out, I was a little awestruck. Then when I found out it was running in Amazing Spider-Man #583 the week before the inauguration, I realized this was gonna be big.
Modern Mythology: What's your take on the other comics that have featured Obama that have been released in the last few months (the Savage Dragon appearances, the bio comics)?
Todd Nauck: I didn't read those. I'm actually behind on a lot of my comic book reading. I ought to check those out!
Modern Mythology: Did you expect the Obama guest-appearance issue to sell as well as it has?
Todd Nauck: I knew it would sell well. I figured people who like Obama, whether they read comics or not, would be going to pick this comic up. I didn't expect it to go to five printings, though!
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