The newly updated chronological spider-man reading order now features a listing of appearances of major characters, including Doctor Octopus.
As a companion to this list, I’ve compiled a more concise listing of essential Doc Ock comic book appearance (within the Spider-Man titles). Reading just these issues would go a long ways to catch up on one of Spider-Man’s greatest villains ever to grace his rogue’s gallery. Here are some of the greatest Doctor Octopus stories.
Doc Ock Comic Book Appearance Read Order
The first Doc Ock comic book appearance
Doctor Octopus made his first appearance early in Spider-Man’s career, in the Silver age issue of Amazing Spider-Man #3.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #3 (BUY)
The Sinister Six
Next, Doctor Octopus forms the Sinister Six, which eventually becomes a slightly varying collection of Spider-Man villains, with Doc Ock at the head. The Sinister Six made their appearance in Spider-Man’s first Annual, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 (BUY)
Doctor Octopus meets Aunt May
From Amazing Spider-Man #53 to 56, Doctor Octopus meets Aunt May and eventually becomes a boarder at her house (until his next eventual arrest). This meeting has important consequences later on. This is one of the top Doctor Octopus storylines.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #53 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #54 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #55 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #56 (BUY)
The top Doc Ock comic: The Death of Captain Stacy
In Amazing Spider-Man #88 to #90, Doctor Octopus’s arms return to him. During his next battle with Spider-Man, Captain Stacy is killed. Dying in Spider-Man’s arms, the Captain reveals that he knew his identity: Peter Parker, his daughter’s boyfriend. This issue, Amazing Spider-Man #90, is an important milestone in the transition to the Bronze age for Spider-Man. It also quite literally demonstrates that Doctor Octopus is one of Spider-Man’s most deadly enemies.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #88 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #89 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #90 (BUY)
Doc Ock (attempts) to marry Aunt May
Not to be outdone at (inadvertently) creating grief for Peter Parker, Doctor Octopus proposes to Aunt May, only to later have the wedding ceremony interrupted à la “Graduate” by Spider-Man, as his master plan to gain control of an island with an atomic plant May didn’t know she inherited comes crashing down. This story runs from Amazing Spider-Man #130 to #131.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #130 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #131 (BUY)
Doc Ock beats the Black Cat, and gets seriously beating, too.
Spider-Man recently hooks up with the Black Cat, only to have Doctor Octopus arrive and beat her up badly. Spider-Man returns the favor, seriously marking Doctor Octopus. This run also features one of my favorite Spidey and Doc Ock comic covers. This story runs from Spectacular Spider-Man #73 to #79, which features his gang war with the Owl.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Spectacular Spider-Man #73 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #74 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #75 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #76 (BUY)
Doc Ock “Wins” (Once again)
Seriously, how many times do the words “Doc Ock Wins” appear on Spider-Man cover? From Amazing Spider-Man #296 to #297, Doc Ock battles Spider-Man, and this time manages to beat him.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #296 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #297 (BUY)
Doc Ock “Dies”
Following two attempts at world domination with the Sinister Six in Return of the Sinister Six and Revenge of the Sinister Six, Doctor Octopus returns to cure Spider-Man from the Vulture’s deadly poison, (so he could get the satisfaction of killing him). During the process, Doctor Octopus learns of Spider-Man’s identity. Unfortunately, he is killed soon after by Kaine, Spider-Man’s deranged, failed clone.
This occurs in the “Web of Death” crossover. A truly essential Doc Ock comic, which strongly tells the tale of his complex relationship with Spider-Man/Peter Parker; both are scientist at heart, he has strong respect for Spider-Man through his aunt, as we’ll as a sparring partner, yet he remains his sworn enemy.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Web of Death crossover
Doc Ock returns
Because great villains can’t stay dead, Doc Ock is resurrected by a one-time protegé who briefly took up the mantle of the Octopus. This story runs from Amazing Spider-Man #426 to #428.
Dock Ock Comic Book Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #426 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #427 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #428 (BUY)