Newsstand Edition. "Requiem!" Script by Marv Wolfman. Art by Al Milgrom (layouts), Frank Giacoia (finishes), and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by Keith Pollard and Al Milgrom.
With his world crashing down around him, the wall-crawler rushes to Restwell Nursing Home to see if his dear aunt is indeed dead. Sadly it appears so. A distraught Peter meets with the resident physician on staff, Dr. Ludwig Rinehart, to make final arrangements. The following day after a long talk with Joe Robertson, the web-slinger visits his childhood home in Queens and discovers it a shambles! And then he finally recalls who Dr. Ludwig Rinehart really is! Something is majorly amiss at Restwell Nursing Home! But before Spider-Man can solve the mystery, he must tend to an unscheduled appointment with a rather large NYC crime lord next issue! First appearance of Debra Whitman.
32 pages. Cover price $0.40.
Newsstand Edition. "All They Want To Do Is Kill You, Spider-Man" Part 1 of 3. Script by Denny O'Neil. Art by John Romita Jr. (breakdowns) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita Jr. and Al Milgrom.
The forces of evil are gathering! And the plot begins with a prison break at Rykers Island! A mysterious villainess breaks the Wizard out of maximum security! Why? Because she wants deadly revenge against her hated enemy and Spider-Man too! The Wingless Wizard kicks off the attack by dispatching a spider robot to the World Trade Center to engage the web-slinger! After that doesn't work, he switches to plan B: set Peter Parker's apartment building on fire! Wow, this is getting very serious...and very personal! Cameo appearance by J. Jonah Jameson. (Notes: The Wizard previously appeared in Fantastic Four 218. This issue includes a full-page ad (with art by Frank Miller) for the Doctor Strange 2nd series. At one time Roger Stern and Frank Miller were going to team up on the title; however, another artist ended up penciling the series.)
32 pages. Cover price $0.50.
Newsstand Edition. "Then Shall We Both Be Betrayed!" Part 2 of 3. Guest-starring the Sub-Mariner. Script by Denny O'Neil. Art by John Romita Jr. (breakdowns) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita Jr. and Al Milgrom.
After torching Peter Parker's Chelsea apartment, the Wizard and Llyra go back to Ryker's Island and free the Sandman and the Trapster! And just like that the Frightful Four is together again! Meanwhile in midtown, a tired web-slinger (and his fellow tenants) check into a nice hotel following their narrow escape from their burning building last issue. But out of the blue the Sub-Mariner smashes into one of the adjoining rooms and threatens Peter's attractive neighbor! Aunt May's nephew is furious! Are Spider-Man and the Avenging Son going to throw down again? Why yes they are! And the winner gets...the Frightful Four! (Notes: Llyra previously appeared in Sub-Mariner (1st series) 50. This issue includes a bizarre full-page parody of the cover to the classic Uncanny X-Men 142 (by Jim Salicrup and Terry Austin). The Sentinel on the cover says: "Hi kids! We're back again! And we've killed all the X-Men! Really! 'Cept Kitty, and she's real small." It's believed that Amazing Spider-Man 214 was the only issue that featured this special advertisement.)
32 pages. Cover price $0.50.
Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Princess Python (part of the Masters of Menace) in The Clown and His Masters of Menace!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko
Spider-Man goes to Ringmaster and his criminal circus performers hotel room; the performers kick Ringmaster out of their group and steal some paintings; Spidey battles Ringmaster. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 17 and 160.
32 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.
Low grade copy
Direct Edition. "Trade Secret" Script and Pencils by Bob Layton. Inks by Bob Layton and Carlos Garzon. Photo cover by Eliot R. Brown.
While changing out of his costume in a storage room at Newark International Airport, the web-slinger forgets to lock the door! Whoops! And to the dismay of Aunt May's nephew, a tabloid photographer walks in and snaps a picture! Oh no! One thing leads to another...and the wall-crawler pursues the sleazy shutterbug through the Big Apple to protect his secret identity! Can Spidey grab the negatives before he gets exposed? Cameo appearance by Ben Urich. Flashback cameo by Uncle Ben. Last 60¢ issue. (Notes: The Amazing Spider-Man returns to his original red and blue costume. Spectacular Spider-Man 100 was also published this month.)
32 pages. Cover price $0.60.
Newsstand Edition. "Make Way for Slyde!" Script by Tom DeFalco. Pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by Kyle Baker. Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein.
A new sleek and savvy super-villain bursts onto the scene! Slyde! And this guy is slipperier than a greased pig! When the teflon-coated speedster robs a bank, he garners the attention of the wondrous wall-crawler! But even Spidey can't lay a glove on him! Can anyone stop (the) Slyde? First appearance and origin of Slyde. Cameo appearance by Puma. Last 65¢ issue. (Notes: Slyde returns in Web of Spider-Man 23. Kyle Baker's inks over Sal Buscema's pencils create a very distinctive look. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 282.)
32 pages. Cover price $0.65.
Newsstand Edition. "To Challenge the Beyonder!" Secret Wars II Crossover. Script by Tom DeFalco. Pencils by Ron Frenz. Inks by Joe Rubinstein. Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein.
Puma returns to New York City! And brings with him a wonderful idea: team up with Spider-Man and kill the Beyonder! What?! The web-slinger thinks that's crazy! However after a lengthy discussion in his apartment, Peter Parker reluctantly agrees to join Thomas Fireheart on his quest to find the one-from-beyond! Locating the Beyonder may be possible, but defeating him might be impossible! Story continues in Spectacular Spider-Man 111.
First 75¢ issue. 32 pages. Cover price $0.75.
"Lo, There Shall Come a Champion!" Secret Wars II Crossover. Script by Tom DeFalco. Art by Ron Frenz (layouts), James Fry (finishes), Tom Morgan (finishes), John Romita Sr. (finishes), Joe Rubinstein (inks), Russ Steffens (inks), and Jack Fury (assists). Front cover by Larry Lieber and John Romita Sr. Back cover by Larry Lieber and Joe Rubinstein.
The Beyonder has run out of patience with the universe! And plans to wipe it from all existence! But before he can, Mephisto offers him a challenge...a mini-contest of champions! Spider-Man will be Mephisto's champion, and Zarathos (aka the Spirit of Vengeance) will be the Beyonder's! If the web-slinger wins the contest, the universe lives for another 24 hours! If Zarathos emerges triumphant, the universe ends at once! Over the skies of Manhattan, Zarathos attacks! And the battle for the life of the world begins! Even Mephisto is cheering for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!
32 pages. Cover price $0.75.
Newsstand Edition. "Growing Pains!" Part 3 of 3. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Alex Saviuk. Inks by Vince Colletta. Cover by Al Milgrom.
At the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers; the Amazing Spider-Man faces a double crisis! Alistar Smythe's spider-slayer roams the streets of Pittsburgh, while Mary Jane's crooked father attempts to steal a famous manuscript! First the wall-crawler and MJ have to smash the spider-slayer! And then turn the tables on the corrupt Philip Watson! If Peter and Mary Jane can score a double victory, they might just live happily ever after...together! Story continues in the landmark Amazing Spider-Man Annual 21. (Notes: In the final panel, Mary Jane accepts Peter's marriage proposal. Alistair Smythe returns in Amazing Spider-Man 368. The back cover features a full-page ad and cover preview of Amazing Spider-Man Annual 21 by John Romita Sr.)
32 pages. Cover price $0.75.
Direct Edition. "Survival of the Hittist!" Part 2 of 2. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Todd McFarlane. Inks by Bob McLeod. Cover by Todd McFarlane.
After their waterfront arms theft goes awry, the Life Foundation turns the tables on Chance! The mysterious survivalist group abducts the mercenary and takes him to their secret headquarters in northern New Jersey! But thanks to a well-placed spider tracer, the web-slinger infiltrates the foundation's secluded colony the next day...and rescues Chance! So now the adversaries of 24 hours ago suddenly become allies to avoid death...courtesy of the Life Foundation! First appearance (and cameo on the last page) by Venom. Cameo appearances by Eddie Murphy, Paul Schaffer, and Joe Robertson.
Last 75¢ issue. 36 pages, full color. (Note: Chance returns in Amazing Spider-Man 336.) Cover price $0.75.
"Westward Woe!" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring the Prowler. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Todd McFarlane. Inks by Hector Collazo, Chris Ivy, Ken Lopez, Mark McKenna, Rodney Ramos, Pat Redding, and Joe Rubinstein. Cover by Todd McFarlane.
In dashing fashion the Black Fox absconds with the precious chalice! And leaves the web-slinger wondering to where he disappeared! But this time there's someone else besides the wall-crawler hunting the fox! The Prowler! Hobie Brown needs the chalice to clear his wife's name in a criminal investigation! The following night at the Long Beach docks; Spider-Man, the Prowler, the Black Fox, and Transcorp's gun-toting goons come together! Who will hoist the cup of victory?
32 pages. Cover price $1.00.
"Down and Out in Forest Hills" Script by David Michelinie. Art by Todd McFarlane. Cover by Todd McFarlane.
In a cold-blooded move from his prison cell, Jonathon Caesar evicts Peter and Mary Jane from their Bedford Towers condo just in time for Christmas! And now the Parkers have to find a new place to live ASAP! One option is to move back in with Aunt May in Forest Hills! However the famous American novelist Thomas Wolfe once said: "You can't go back home again." Where will the Amazing Spider-Man and his wife decide to live? A heartwarming story.
32 pages. Cover price $1.00.
"Ceremony" The Assassin Nation Plot Part 3 of 6. Guest-starring Silver Sable. Script by David Michelinie. Art by Todd McFarlane. Cover by Todd McFarlane. Silver Sable and the web-slinger arrive in Eastern Europe...and something is definitely rotten in the state of Symkaria! Sable fears that someone is planning to assassinate King Stefan! The next day during the royal jubilee, her worst fears come true! As the international terrorist group known as Ultimatum strikes! And all of sudden the wall-crawler's working vacation takes a serious turn...deadly serious! Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, and Sabretooth. (Note: The letters page includes letters from Marvel publisher Stan Lee and Topps comics publisher Charles Novinskie.)
32 pages. Cover price $1.00.
"Ceremony" The Assassin Nation Plot Part 3 of 6. Guest-starring Silver Sable. Script by David Michelinie. Art by Todd McFarlane. Cover by Todd McFarlane.
Silver Sable and the web-slinger arrive in Eastern Europe...and something is definitely rotten in the state of Symkaria! Sable fears that someone is planning to assassinate King Stefan! The next day during the royal jubilee, her worst fears come true! As the international terrorist group known as Ultimatum strikes! And all of sudden, the wall-crawler's working vacation takes a serious turn...deadly serious!
"Finale in Red!" The Assassin Nation Plot Part 6 of 6. Guest-starring Captain America and Silver Sable. Script by David Michelinie. Art by Todd McFarlane. Cover by Todd McFarlane.
As depicted on the dynamic cover, the Red Skull stands revealed as the architect of the Assassin Nation Plot! And in the bowels of the National Archives in our nation's capital, the Amazing Spider-Man comes face-to-face with the former top terror operative of the Third Reich! Wow! The sinister skull wants to burn the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence! But America's favorite web-slinger can't let that happen! Will the wondrous wall-crawler come through for the red, white, and blue?
32 pages. Cover price $1.00.
Direct Edition. "Gravity Storm" Acts of Vengeance crossover. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Colleen Doran. Inks by Andy Mushynsky. Cover by Colleen Doran and Al Gordon.
Peter and Mary Jane throw a housewarming party in their new Soho loft! It's a really cool place right above Harry and Liz Osborn's loft! Meanwhile at the Daily Bugle, Graviton stops by in search of Spider-Man! Whoa, the master of gravity usually tangles with the Avengers and the Fantastic Four! Why is he after the wondrous wall-crawler? It's all part of the act! The Acts of Vengeance that is! Is Spidey ready to step up his game?
Acts of Vengeance Aftermath - "Power Prey!" Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Erik Larsen. Inks by Andy Mushynsky. Cover by Erik Larsen and Al Gordon.
The Acts of Vengeance is over! But Loki, Graviton, and Sebastian Shaw still want another shot at your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Inside Shaw Industries, the X-Men's long-time foe tinkers with past and present Sentinel robots! High above the Earth, the Asgardian god of mischief takes notice and decides to push along Shaw's research by merging the prototypes into the Tri-Sentinel! And then Loki sends the gigantic robot to destroy the Amity Point nuclear power plant! Is the end near for New York City? Not quite! In a brilliant flash of light, the Amazing Spider-Man transforms into Captain Universe!
"Sunday in the Park with Venom" Part 1 of 2. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Erik Larsen. Inks by Mike Machlan, Jack Abel, Keith Wilson, Keith Williams, Brad Vancata, Joe Rosas, and Mickey Ritter. Cover by Erik Larsen and Mike Machlan.
The web-slinger's worst nightmare is back again! Venom! And so is Mary Jane's! Jonathan Caesar! Add Styx and Stone to the volatile mix and the Parkers are in for a very rough day! The Amazing Spider-Man battles the psychotic Venom in Central Park, while Mary Jane confronts the deranged Caesar at Bedford Towers! Could the wall-crawler and his wife score a double victory against their respective nemeses? Mary Jane has a chance; Spider-Man not so much.
"The Return of the Sinister Six Part 1 of 6. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Erik Larsen. Inks by Mike Machlan. Cover by Erik Larsen and Terry Austin.
The Sinister Six storyline begins with a bang as Electro and Dr. Octopus clash with the web-slinger in an industrial warehouse! But the battle is short and sweet and inconclusive! Spider-Man doesn't know what Otto Octavius is planning, but right now helping his dear aunt takes priority! Meanwhile with Electro already in the fold, the six-armed super-villain reaches out to the Sandman! Is Doc Ock getting the band back together?
"The Wagers of Sin" The Return of the Sinister Six Part 3 of 6. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Erik Larsen. Inks by Mike Machlan. Cover by Erik Larsen and Bob Wiacek.
Nathan Lubensky has been a gambler his whole life! And before Aunt May's fiancé shuffles off his mortal coil, he's going all-in one final time! Strangely enough New York bookies are taking action on whether an Atlantic City casino owner will be successfully assassinated! Nathan is sure the casino owner is a goner! But he doesn't know that the Vulture, Chance, and Spider-Man will play a part in the fateful hit! All the cards are on the table! Is Nathan going to lose everything? A heartbreaking ending. Death of Nathan Lubensky.
"Rites and Wrongs!" The Return of the Sinister Six Part 4 of 6. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Erik Larsen. Inks by Terry Austin. Cover by Erik Larsen and Walt Simonson.
The cover says it all: Six vs. One! The Sinister Six vs. the one and only Amazing Spider-Man! After assembling his sinister sextet, Doc Ock puts his diabolic plan into motion! Otto Octavius wants to sabotage the launch of Cordco's new space satellite! And use the satellite to spray a deadly poison over the entire planet! But the experimental ley line satellite is being sponsored by Empire State University! More specifically by the physics department with a graduate research assistant named Peter Parker! Will the web-slinger connect the dots in time? The countdown is on!
"Death from Above!" The Return of the Sinister Six Part 5 of 6. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Erik Larsen. Inks by Mike Machlan. Cover by Erik Larsen and Al Gordon.
At last, the Sinister Six make their move! Just minutes before Cordco's satellite launches into outer space, Dr. Octopus and his partners in crime storm the control center! If Doc Ock loads his poison-filled canisters on the satellite, the whole planet will be in jeopardy! Unfortunately, by the time the web-slinger arrives at the launch pad; the Hobgoblin, Vulture, Mysterio, and Electro are running amok! But what about the Sandman? Would he help Spider-Man stop the launch? Time is running out!
"The Hero Subtracter" Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Erik Larsen. Inks by Mike Machlan, Randy Emberlin, and friends. Cover by Erik Larsen and Mike Machlan.
Due to concerns about his dear aunt's health, Peter debates whether or not it's time to give up being Spider-Man. And fortuitously he bumps into a doctor on the street that might be able to take away his powers! But has Spidey checked the references on this mysterious Doctor Turner? That might be a good idea first! In the meantime though, the wondrous wall-crawler has a rendezvous with the Femme Fatales at Kennedy Airport! And these ladies play rough! First appearances of Knockout and Mindblast.
At a Long Island resort, the Amazing Spider-Man battles Doctor Doom to protect the Black Fox! Is that a brave decision or a foolhardy one? Unfortunately, it's the latter as the web-slinger limps back home battered, bruised, and concussed! However, the aging fox is still alive! But now the weakened wall-crawler has only 24 hours to find the jewel called the dragon's egg...or once more face the deadly wrath of Victor Von Doom! The next day in suburban New Jersey; the Latverian Monarch, the Black Fox, and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man come together again!
