According to the Tampa Bay Times, Whitelock received an anonymous phone call at the store on Monday from a blocked number. The caller wouldn’t share his name or location, but said he’d somehow ended up with the box of comics, which contained two CGC graded copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 – the first appearance of Spider-Man, and many other Silver Age books (see “Rare Comics Stolen at Convention”).
The individual said he realized the mistake when he was unloading boxes after the show, saying he or a helper must have picked up the box in error. The box had a sticker with New Force Comics, so the individual looked the store up online. The man then came across the extensive news coverage about the stolen comics, and was concerned. The man wanted to remain anonymous and he said he would ship the comics to the store via Fedex.
On Wednesday, the comics were delivered to Whitelock. There was no damage except a cracked CGC case, though the encased comic was undamaged.
Whitelock was thankful for the comics return and was pragmatic about the experience. “I’ve been doing shows since mid-2000s, probably 100 shows. Accidents happen.”
“Tampa is our biggest show,“ Whitelock added, sharing that he brings 180 boxes of comics to the show for use in a 20’ x 20’ booth.
