Magazine (1968)
''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' was initially a two-issue magazine published by Marvel in 1968, as an experiment in entering the black-and-white comic-magazine market successfully pioneered by Warren Publishing and others. It sold for 35 cents when standard comic books cost 12 cents and ''Annual''s and ''Giant''s 25 cents. It represented the first Spider-Man spin-off publication aside from the original series' Annual publication, summer ''Annual''s, begun in 1964. The first issue (cover-dated July 1968) featured a painted, color cover by men's adventure-magazine artist Harry Rosenbaum, in acrylic paint on illustration board, over layouts by ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' artist John Romita Sr. The 52-page black-and-white Spider-Man story, "Lo, This Monster!", was by writer Stan Lee, penciler Romita Sr. and inker Jim Mooney. A 10-page origin story, "In The Beginning!", was by Lee, penciler Larry Lieber and inker Bill Everett. The feature story was reprinted in color, with some small alterations and bridging material by Gerry Conway, in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #116–118 (Jan.–March 1973) as "Suddenly...the Smasher!", "The Deadly Designs of the Disruptor!", and "Countdown to Chaos!" (with additional inking by Tony Mortellaro on the latter two). These versions were themselves reprinted in ''Marvel Tales'' #95–97 (Sept.-Oct. 1978). The second and final issue (Nov. 1968) also sported a painted cover and the interior was in color as well. Lee, Romita and Mooney again collaborated on its single story, "The Goblin Lives!", featuring the Green Goblin. A next-issue box at the end promoted the planned contents of the unrealized issue #3, "The Mystery of the TV Terror". A version of the Goblin story, trimmed by 18 pages, was reprinted in ''The Amazing Spider-Man Annual'' #9 (1973), and portions of the "TV Terror" costume were reused for the costume of the Prowler (Marvel Comics), Prowler. Both issues of the magazine were reprinted in their entirety (albeit reduced to comic size) in the collection ''Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man'' #7 (), then again in ''Marvel Ultimate Collection, Complete Epic and Epic Collection lines#Epic Collections, Marvel Epic Collections: The Amazing Spider-Man'' #4 in 2019. The first issue was reprinted again in 2002 as ''The Spectacular Spider-Man Facsimile'', exactly as it was originally presented.Volume 1 (1976–1998)
Titled ''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' on its December 1976 debut, and shortened to simply ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' with #134 (Jan. 1988), this was the second ''Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man'' monthly comic-book spin-off series, after ''Marvel Team-Up'', which also featured Spider-Man. The monthly title ran 264 issues (including a #−1 issue) and 14 ''Annual''s until November 1998. The series was launched by writer/editor Gerry Conway and artist Sal Buscema and Mike Esposito (comics), Mike Esposito. Conway explained the concept and origin of the series: Buscema drew the title until mid-1978. After Buscema's departure, a succession of artists (including Mike Zeck, Jim Mooney, Ed Hannigan, Marie Severin and Greg LaRocque) penciled the series for approximately five years. Frank Miller (comics), Frank Miller, who would later become the artist on '' Daredevil (Marvel Comics series), Daredevil'', first drew the character in ''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' #27. Scripting initially alternated between Conway and Archie Goodwin (comics), Archie Goodwin until mid-1977, when Bill Mantlo took over. During this era of ''Spectacular'', the stories focused more on Parker's campus life as an undergraduate student/teacher's assistant at Empire State University and giving more attention to his colleagues than to the more long-running supporting characters in ''Amazing''. Mantlo's first run on the title featured frequent appearances by the White Tiger (Hector Ayala), White Tiger, Marvel's first Hispanic superhero, and the first appearance of the supervillain Carrion (comics), Carrion. He used the series to wrap up unresolved plot elements from ''The Champions (1975 team), Champions'' comic book series and concluded his first run with a crossover with ''Fantastic Four'' #218 (May 1980). In a notable two-part story scripted by Mantlo and published in ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #39-40 (February–March 1980), Spider-Man was temporarily transformed into "The Spider-Lizard," a rampaging creature akin to Spider-Man's recurring foe Lizard (character), The Lizard. Mantlo was succeeded by Roger Stern, who wrote ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' from #43 (June 1980) to 61 (December 1981). When Stern departed to write for ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', Mantlo returned to scripting ''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man''; Mantlo's second tenure at the title lasted until April 1984. Mantlo's second run introduced the superhero duo Cloak and Dagger (comics), Cloak and Dagger, created by Mantlo and Hannigan in ''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' #64 (March 1982), and included a story arc which took place from issues #73–79 (Dec. 1982 – June 1983), in which Doctor Octopus and the Owl (Marvel Comics), Owl competed for control of the New York underworld, Octopus almost destroys New York with a nuclear device and the Black Cat is critically injured. Issue #86 (January 1984) was part of the "Assistant Editors Month" event and featured a story drawn by Fred Hembeck. Al Milgrom took over scripting as well as art on the title with issue #90 (May 1984) and worked on it through issue #100 (March 1985). Milgrom imbued the book with a more whimsical tone, for example, pitting Spider-Man against the Spot, a supervillain who was so ridiculous that he gave Spider-Man fits of laughter. Christopher Priest (comic book writer), Jim Owsley, then-editor of the Spider-Man books, disapproved of this approach and had Milgrom replaced as writer by newcomer Peter David in 1985. David and artist Rich Buckler, said Owsley, had the series "focusing on stories with a serious, 'grown-up' tone and more complex themes". The most notable story arc of the David/Buckler era is "The Death of Jean DeWolff" (#107–110 (Oct. 1985–Jan. 1986)), in which Spider-Man's ally, NYC Police Captain Jean DeWolff – a supporting character in the Spider-Man comics since 1976 – is murdered by the vigilante/serial killer the Sin-Eater (comics), Sin-Eater. This multi-part story guest-starred Daredevil (Marvel Comics character), Daredevil. The storyline "Kraven's Last Hunt, Fearful Symmetry: Kraven's Last Hunt" by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artists Mike Zeck and Bob McLeod (comics), Bob McLeod crossed over into ''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' #131 and 132. With issue #134 (Jan. 1988), the "Peter Parker" part of the title was removed and the series became simply ''The Spectacular Spider-Man''. The logo changed from a distinctive design to using the same design as that of ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' and the 1968 ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' magazine; this logo did not change until issue #218 (Nov. 1994). The logo of ''Web of Spider-Man'' was also changed in 1988 to match that of ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', prompting Owsley to later reflect, "Suddenly, the three books that I had worked for years to give unique identities to were homogenized into a blur of Spider Sameness: same logo style, same basic look, indistinguishable from one another." Sal Buscema returned as the regular artist, staying with the title from early 1988 to late 1996; throughout the series' run, Buscema drew over 100 issues, making him by far the series' most frequent contributor. After his story arc "Return of the Sin-Eater" (#134–136 (Jan.–March 1988)), Peter David was removed as writer. Editor Owsley said editor-in-chief Jim Shooter "disliked Peter's work intensely". David, in a 2005 interview, believed, "I was fired off ''Spider-Man'' because it was felt at the upper editorial level that a novice comic-book writer shouldn't be handling the adventures of Marvel's flagship character". Former series writer Gerry Conway, who additionally wrote ''Web of Spider-Man'' from 1988 to 1990, returned to ''Spectacular'', after which he left both books to become a story editor on the TV series ''Father Dowling Mysteries''. Conway stated in 1991 that "I understand the character a lot better now than I did when I was nineteen. And one of the nice things about the Marvel characters is that you can keep them fresh by changing them just a bit." His 1988–1991 run on ''Spectacular'' included such story arcs as the "Lobo Brothers Gang War", and the conflict between ''Daily Bugle'' editor Robbie Robertson (comics), Joe Robertson and his former friend, the albino criminal Tombstone (comics), Tombstone. He used his joint duty as ''Web of Spider-Man'' writer to tie together storylines in the two separate titles and strengthen the continuity between them. Throughout their run, Conway and Buscema collaborated using the Marvel method, occasionally working out details of the plot over the phone. J. M. DeMatteis became the regular writer in mid-1991, injecting a grim, psychological tone into the series. DeMatteis began his run with the story arc "The Child Within" (#178–184 (July 1991–Jan. 1992)), featuring the return of the Harry Osborn version of the Green Goblin. As written by DeMatteis, Harry sank further into insanity and gained the same super-strength possessed by Norman Osborn, his father, battling Spider-Man again in #189 (June 1992), before being killed in #200 (May 1993). In an undated 2000s interview, DeMatteis said, "I really loved the two years on ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' that I wrote with Sal Buscema drawing. Talk about underrated! Sal is one of the best storytellers and a wonderful collaborator. I loved that run." During this period, Spider-Man editor Danny Fingeroth would hold conferences in New York with all the Spider-Man creative staff, allowing them to brainstorm ideas and discuss future storylines. DeMatteis left the book in mid-1993 to write ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (succeeding David Michelinie who wrote ''Amazing'' for over half a decade.) Steven Grant had a brief run before the book was set adrift with a succession of fill-in issues which ran through late 1994, when former ''Amazing Spider-Man'' writer Tom DeFalco took over. By this time, all the Spider-books were being affected by the controversial "Clone Saga" that culminated with ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #226 (July 1995), and Fingeroth convinced DeFalco that the series needed a regular writer to help guide the crossover story. This story revealed (though it was later reversed) that the Spider-Man who had appeared in the previous 20 years of comics was a clone of the real Spider-Man. This tied into a publishing gap after #229 (Oct. 1995), when the title was temporarily replaced by ''The Spectacular Scarlet Spider'' #1–2 (Nov.–Dec. 1995), featuring the "original" Peter Parker. The series picked up again with #230 (Jan. 1996). Initially newcomer Todd Dezago wrote the scripts for DeFalco's plots, since DeFalco was already writing two other series and wanted to groom DeZago to be the long-term writer on ''Spectacular Spider-Man''. Todd Dezago then wrote for a year before DeMatteis returned through May 1998. DeMatteis later commented, "We did some nice stories, like the one about Flash Thompson's childhood. But, in general, I don't hold that last run...very dear to my heart." Luke Ross succeeded Sal Buscema as the artist and remained until the series ended, but there was no regular writer for the last half-year with Glenn Greenberg, Roger Stern, John Byrne (comics), John Byrne and Howard Mackie all contributing during this time. The final issue was #263 (Nov. 1998).Volume 2 (2003–2005)
''Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 2) titled without the definite article "The", is a 27-issue monthly series published from September 2003 to June 2005. Each issue was written by Paul Jenkins (writer), Paul Jenkins (except #23–26, by Samm Barnes). The book's primary pencillers were Humberto Ramos and Mark Buckingham (comic book artist), Mark Buckingham. The series features a tie-in to the storyline ''Avengers Disassembled''. Spider-Man encounters a new enemy called the Queen who wants him as her mate. Her kiss causes him to slowly mutate into a giant spider who metamorphoses into human form with enhanced strength and agility, along with organic webbing and a psychic link with insects and arachnids. This comic also includes the sequel to "Sins Past", "Sarah Stacy, Sins Remembered", in which Peter travels to Paris to meet Sarah Stacy and resolves the issues between them.''Spectacular Spider-Man Adventures''
''Spectacular Spider-Man Adventures'' was a title published by Panini Comics in the United Kingdom from November 1995 to September 2005, although the ''Adventures'' portion of the title was often dropped from the cover page. It featured a mix of reprinted American material, as well as originally produced British material, including a guest appearance from Captain Britain. ''Spectacular'' was aimed at a younger audience than Panini's other Spider-Man reprint title ''Astonishing Spider-Man'', and was loosely based on the continuity of the Spider-Man (1994 TV series), 1990s animated series.Volume 3 (2017–18)
''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 3) was published from June 2017 to December 2018. After the first six issues, the series reverted to legacy numbering with issue #297 as part of the line-wide Marvel Legacy relaunch. The series' original creative team had Chip Zdarsky as writer, with Adam Kubert providing the artwork. Notable recurring characters included Teresa Durand, J. Jonah Jameson, Johnny Storm, and original character Rebecca London. Various issues, as well as the one ''Annual'', were illustrated by guest artists; Kubert's final issue as artist was #307, excluding covers. Zdarsky left the series with issue #310. The series ended with issue #313, the final three issues being a tie-in to the ''Spider-Geddon'' crossover event written by Sean Ryan.''The Spectacular Spider-Men''
''The Spectacular Spider-Men'' is a currently ongoing series that was published beginning March 2024. The series is written by Greg Weisman (who also created The Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series), ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' television series) with Ramos returning for art. ''The Spectacular Spider-Men'' stars both versions of Spider-Man (Peter Parker and Miles Morales) and focuses on the relationship between the two Spider-Men. The series' supporting cast featured characters who previously appeared in the television series and Weisman's ''Starbrand (newuniversal), Starbrand & Nightmask'' comic series, including Kenny McFarlane#Kenny Kong, Kenny Kong, Shelly Conklin, Cedric Harrison, List of Spider-Man supporting characters#Other, Sha Shan Nguyen, and List of Marvel Comics characters: W#Raymond Warren, Professor Raymond Warren.Collected editions
* ''Essential Marvel, Essential Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' ** Volume 1 collects issues #1–31, 568 pages, May 2005, ** Volume 2 collects issues #32–53, ''Annual'' #1–2, 592 pages, February 2006, ** Volume 3 collects issues #54–74, ''Annual'' #3, 536 pages, March 2007, ** Volume 4 collects issues #75–96, ''Annual'' #4, 576 pages, August 2009, ** Volume 5 collects issues #97–114, ''Annual'' #5, 576 pages, July 2011, * ''Spider-Man: The Original Clone Saga'' includes #25–31, 149, 162–163, ''Annual'' #8, 496 pages, July 2011, * ''Spider-Man by Roger Stern Omnibus'' includes #43–61, 85, ''Annual'' #3, 1296 pages, April 2014, * ''Spider-Man: Origin of the Hobgoblin'' ** First printing includes #85, 160 pages, May 1993, ** Second printing includes #43, 47–48, 85, 256 pages, December 2011, * ''Spider-Man: The Complete Alien Costume Saga'' ** Book 1 includes #90–95, 488 pages, August 2014, ** Book 2 includes #96–100, ''Annual'' #4, 504 pages, May 2015, * ''Life in the Mad Dog Ward'' – includes #133, 144 pages, November 2013, * ''Tombstone'' – includes #137–150, 368 pages, June 2016, * ''The Amazing Spider-Man: The Death of Jean DeWolff'' ** First printing collects #107–110, 96 pages, April 1991, ** Second printing collects #107–110, 134–136, 168 pages, March 2013, * ''Secret Wars II Omnibus'' includes ''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' #111, 1,184 pages, May 2009, * ''Spider-Man vs. Silver Sable Vol. 1'' includes #128–129, 144 pages, January 2006, * ''Kraven's Last Hunt, The Amazing Spider-Man – Fearful Symmetry: Kraven's Last Hunt'' includes #131–132, 164 pages, December 1991, * ''The Evolutionary War Omnibus'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man Annual'' #8, 472 pages, September 2011, * ''Atlantis Attacks Omnibus'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man Annual'' #9, 552 pages, March 2011, * ''Spider-Man: The Cosmic Adventures'' includes #158–160, 192 pages, March 1993, * ''Acts of Vengeance Omnibus'' includes #158–160, 744 pages, March 2011, * ''Spider-Man: Son of the Goblin'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #189 and 200, 144 pages, July 2004, * ''Maximum Carnage'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #201–203, 336 pages, December 2006, * ''Spider-Man Epic Collection Vol. 26 Lifetheft'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #211, 496 pages, November 16, 2021, * ''Spider-Man and the New Warriors: Hero Killers'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man Annual'' #12, 232 pages, March 2012, * ''Spider-Man: The Complete Clone Saga Epic'' ** Book 1 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #217, 424 pages, April 2010, ** Book 2 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #218–221, 480 pages, June 2010, ** Book 3 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #222–224, 464 pages, September 2010, ** Book 4 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #225–227, 480 pages, December 2010, ** Book 5 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #228–229 and ''Spectacular Spider-Man Super Special'' #1, 472 pages, February 2011, * ''Spider-Man: The Complete Ben Reilly Epic'' ** Book 2 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #230, 424 pages, November 2011, ** Book 3 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #231–233, 432 pages, January 2012, ** Book 4 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #234, 464 pages, April 2012, ** Book 5 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #235–239, 464 pages, July 2012, ** Book 6 includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #240–241, 448 pages, November 2012, * ''Spider-Man: Revelations'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #240, 112 pages, October 1997, * ''Spider-Man: Spider-Hunt'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #254–256, 272 pages, June 2012, * ''Spider-Man: Identity Crisis'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #257–258, 200 pages, May 2012, * ''Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #259–261, 184 pages, May 2011, * ''Spider-Man: The Gathering of Five'' includes ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #262–263, 248 pages, January 2014, * ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' ** Vol. 1: ''The Hunger'' collects ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 2) #1–5, 120 pages, December 2003, ** Vol. 2: ''Countdown'' collects ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 2) #6–10, 120 pages, May 2004, ** Vol. 3: ''Here There Be Monsters'' collects ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 2) #11–14, 144 pages, October 2004, ** Vol. 4: ''Disassembled'' collects ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 2) #15–20, 136 pages, December 2004, ** Vol. 5: ''Sins Remembered'' collects ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 2) #23–26, 96 pages, May 2005, ** Vol. 6: ''The Final Curtain '' collects ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 2) #21–22 and 27, 144 pages, October 2005, * ''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' ** Vol 1: ''Into The Twilight'' collects ''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 3) #1–6 and material from ''Free Comic Book Day 2017 (Secret Empire)'' #1, 144 pages, December 2017, ** Vol 2: ''Most Wanted'' collects ''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #297–300, 112 pages, April 2018, ** Vol 3: ''Amazing Fantasy'' collects ''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #301–303 and ''Annual'' #1, 112 pages, August 2018, ** Vol 4: ''Coming Home'' collects ''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #304–310, 112 pages, December 2018, ** Vol 5: ''Spider-Geddon'' collects ''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #311–313, ''Spider-Geddon: Spider-Man Noir Video Comic'' #1 and ''Spider-Geddon: Animated Video Comic'' #1, 112 pages, February 2019, ** ''Spider-Man by Chip Zdarsky Omnibus'' collects ''Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (vol. 3) #1-6, #297-310, ''Annual'' #1, ''Spider-Man: Life Story'' #1-6, ''Annual'' #1, and ''Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow'' #1-6, 936 pages, December 2023,See also
* List of Spider-Man titles * ''Peter Parker: Spider-Man'' * The Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series), ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' (TV series)References
External links