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Marvel's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing — The Exhibition Amazes In Chicago
Marvel's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition
Chicago's Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is currently featuring another beyond impressive exhibit with Marvel's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition, running through Feb. 8, 2026. It first swung into the museum on May 22.
The traveling exhibit was developed by Semmel Exhibitions in conjunction with Marvel and co-curated by comic scholars Benjamin Saunders and Patrick A. Reed. It was also designed by acclaimed Berlin-based collective StudioTK. Saunders, Reed, and StudioTK previously worked with Marvel and Semmel on the hit touring exhibition Marvel: The Exhibition - Universe Of Super Heroes.
In addition to Spider-Man and Marvel, the museum has also sported other top-notch entertainment exhibits focusing on Walt Disney, Pixar, and James Bond as the subjects in recent years.
Where the latest special exhibit at MSI succeeds is in blending original meaningful comic book art, iconic costumes and rare props from the films, and fun interactive photo ops. The mixture of the spectacular Spidey elements will wow web-slinger fans from young children to seniors and the average MCU watcher to devout comic readers and collectors.
The exhibit takes you from the creation and first appearance of the character to his evolution into mainstream pop culture, a journey spanning six decades.
My top 5 must-see items at the new Spider-Man exhibit:
1. Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin mask and bomb from 2002's 'Spider-Man':
Considered one of, if not the best comic-book movie villains of all time, Dafoe's take on Norman Osborn in the Sam Raimi directed flick, that helped ignite the on-screen superhero craze, is legendary.
Seeing the mask up close is an awe-inspiring experience for any superhero or movie fan. The piece was one of the best items the museum could have possibly featured in the exhibit. Full marks to MSI for snagging it.
2. Design sketch for original Spider-Man Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon:
This piece was the biggest surprise for me. Not only did the Spider-Man balloon become one of the parade's most iconic, but the 1987 original concept sketch was done by top Spider-Man artist John Romita. Another applaudable find and display item for the museum.
New York, N.Y.: Spiderman heads down 6th Ave. during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November ... More 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
3. Tom Holland's main suit from 2021's 'Spider-Man: No Way Home':
Tom Holland is this generation's Spider-Man and it seems the current web-slinger is sticking around for some time still. Sporting a costume from the monumental Spidey blockbuster was another good look for the exhibit and museum.
4. An Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 5.5
Valued by Comic Book Price Guide at $82,000, the unrivaled 1962 comic book featured the creation of the character from writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. Legendary comic artist Jack Kirby's work is featured on the cover as the first cover art of the famed superhero.
The curators could have settled for lower grade issue, which still would have impressed the majority of exhibit goers, but to the delight of comic book fans and collectors, they took things up a notch.
5. Original cover art for Ultimate Fallout #4
Likely the exhibit's best pull for original Spidey comic art, 2011's Ultimate Fallout #4 features the first appearance of Miles Morales, who becomes the new Spider-Man following the death of Peter Parker.
Morales quickly won comic fans over, is featured in the preschool age Disney series Spidey and His Amazing Friends, and is likely to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the near future.
