Merry Marvelous Salutations, comic fans!
As the week draws to a close, we bring you another installment of the Indispensable Spider-Man, this time featuring the Spider-Man chronology from ’71-’76.
(No, you didn’t miss anything; Marvel hasn’t published yet another adjectived Spider-title. It’s our series on the most essential issues chronicling the adventures of Peter Parker as Spider-Man in Marvel’s 616 Universe. This week, we focus on the issues published between 1971 and 1976 in the Spider-Man chronology, which runs from the first non-Stan Lee issue of Amazing Spider-Man up until the launch of Spectacular Spider-Man. Look at the table at the end of this post for a full list of issues in reading order for this era of the Spider-Man chronology. Remember, very important issues are marked with two asterisks (**), while issues that are part of those storylines, without the major event, are also included and marked with a diminutive one asterisk (*). Search for “**” in this below to further pare down the list. (Issues even less essential are not included, since that is the whole point of this list).
Spider-Man Chronology from 1971-1976 : What You Need To Know
What makes the cut of the indispensable 1971-1976 Spider-Man Chronology
As the 1970’s rear their head, the usefulness of this list becomes more apparent. See, as Spider-Man grew in popularity, the number of publications featuring the character began to multiply in order to satisfy readers (or cash in, depending on your point of view). Many of these additional stories weren’t as essential, in particular the Marvel Team-Up issues of the era, which don’t make the cut on this list. This trend only becomes amplified as the number of core Spider-Man grows until it hits a consistent weekly issue in the 90’s.
Creators of the 1971-1976 Spider-Man Chronology era
What marks this era of the Spider-Man chronology is the departure of Stan Lee. Gerry Conway replaces him on Amazing Spider-Man, with Gil Kane, Ross Andru and John Romita Sr contributing pencils. Len Wein and Jim Mooney also contribute to this era, though few issues make the cut. Sal Buscema sees his debut in a long running career on Spider-Man, though he can also be counted among the latter group.
Titles of the 1971-1976 Spider-Man Chronology era
Once again, the Amazing Spider-Man is the core of the Spider-Man chronology of this era, and once again Marvel Team-Up is the other important Spider-Man publications, though with far fewer issues of importance.
Events of the 1971-1976 Spider-Man Chronology era
This era has perhaps the most important event of the entire Spider-Man chronology; the death of Gwen Stacy. It also features the original clone saga and Harry Osborn becoming the second Green Goblin. Peter Parker and Mary Jane begin dating seriously as we see a new side to Mary Jane. Peter moves into his apartment in Chelsea that begins an era with many encounters (or avoided encounters) with his landlord Ms. Muggins. It is perhaps, after his home in Forest Hills, Peter’s most iconic residence.
Collections of the 1971-1976 Spider-Man Chronology era
This is perhaps the run of comics in the Spider-Man chronology most available in trade paperback form. You can find it in hardcover, softcover, newsprint, and even digital. Here are a few of the most popular trades collecting this run:
:Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 6 (Marvel Essentials)
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 7 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 7)
Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys
The Indispensable Spider-Man Chronology 1971-1976
| Order | Year | Age | Issue | Creators | Details | ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111.01 | 1972 | Silver | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #111 ES5 | Conway, Romita Sr | Kraven, May leaves | ** |
| 112.01 | 1972 | Silver | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #112 ES5 | Conway, Romita Sr | Doc Ock | ** |
| 113.01 | 1972 | Silver | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #113 ES5 | Conway, Romita Sr | Doc Ock, Hammerhead | ** |
| 114.01 | 1972 | Silver | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #114 ES6 | Conway, Romita Sr | Doc Ock, Hammerhead, May lives with Doc Ock | ** |
| 115.01 | 1972 | Silver | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #115 ES6 | Conway, Romita Sr | Doc Ock, Hammerhead, May battles Spidey | ** |
| 119.01 | 1973 | Silver | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #119 ES6 | Conway, Romita Sr | Spider-Man in Canada, Hulk | * |
| 120.01 | 1973 | Silver | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #120 ES6 | Conway, Kane | Spider-Man in Canada, Hulk | * |
| 121.01 | 1973 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #121 ES6 | Conway, Kane | Best! Green Goblin, Death of Gwen Stacy | ** |
| 122.01 | 1973 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #122 ES6 | Conway, Kane | Best! Green Goblin, Death of Gwen Stacy | ** |
| 123.01 | 1973 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #123 ES6 | Conway, Kane | Gwen's Funeral | ** |
| 124.01 | 1973 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #124 ES6 | Conway, Kane | The Mark of the Man-Wolf | ** |
| 125.01 | 1973 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #125 ES6 | Conway, Andru | The Mark of the Man-Wolf | ** |
| 126.01 | 1973 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #126 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Spider-Mobile, Harry becomes Green Goblin | ** |
| 127.01 | 1973 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #127 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Vulture | * |
| 128.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #128 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Vulture | * |
| 129.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #129 ES6 | Conway, Andru | 1st Jackal, 1st Punisher | ** |
| 130.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #130 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Jackal, Doc Ock, Hammerhead, Spider-Mobile | ** |
| 131.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #131 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Doc Ock almost marries May, Hammerhead, Doc Ock "dies", Hints at MJ & Peter romance | ** |
| 132.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #132 ES6 | Conway, Romita Sr | Molten Man | * |
| 133.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #133 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Molten Man | * |
| 134.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #134 ES6 | Conway, Andru | 1st Tarantula | ** |
| 135.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #135 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Green Goblin Lives Again, Revealed! by Harry Osborn, Green Goblin II | ** |
| 136.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #136 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Green Goblin Lives Again, Green Goblin II, MJ & Peter date, Peter's Apartment destroyed | ** |
| 137.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #137 ES6 | Conway, Andru | Green Goblin Lives Again, Green Goblin II | ** |
| 139.01 | 1974 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #139 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Jackal, Peter moves into apartment in Chelsea | ** |
| 140.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #140 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Jackal | ** |
| 141.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #141 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal, Mysterio | * |
| 142.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #142 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal, Mysterio, Peter sees Gwen's clone | ** |
| 143.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #143 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal, Peter and MJ fall in love | ** |
| 144.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #144 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal, Gwen's clone appears | ** |
| 145.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #145 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal, Scorpion | ** |
| 146.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #146 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal, Scorpion | ** |
| 147.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #147 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal | ** |
| 148.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #148 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Jackal | ** |
| 149.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #149 ES7 | Conway, Andru | Best! Clone Saga, Revealed! Jackal clones Peter | ** |
| 150.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #150 ES7 | Goodwin, Kane | Best! Clone Saga | ** |
| 151.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #151 ES7 | Wein, Andru | Clone Saga, Shocker, Peter dumps clone in smokestack, Harry returns | ** |
| 152.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #152 ES7 | Wein, Andru | Shocker, Harry moves in with Flash | * |
| 153.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #153 ES7 | Wein, Andru | * | |
| 154.01 | 1975 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #154 ES7 | Wein, John Buscema | Sandman | * |
| 156.01 | 1976 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #156 ES7 | Wein, Andru | Ned Leeds marries Betty Brant, Doc Ock returns | ** |
| 157.01 | 1976 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #157 ES7 | Wein, Andru | Doc Ock, Hammerhead | ** |
| 158.01 | 1976 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #158 ES7 | Wein, Andru | Doc Ock, Hammerhead | * |
| 159.01 | 1976 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #159 ES7 | Wein, Andru | Doc Ock and Hammerhead escape | * |
| 162.01 | 1976 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #162 ES8 | Wein, Andru | Punisher, Nightcrawler, Jigsaw, 1st Marla Madison | * |
As with all of our lists, we invite you to share your thoughts on what should or shouldn’t be included, and to what degree. Drop us a line in the comments for changes to this era, which will be reflected in our larger Spider-Man Chronology list here: