Hello Again, True Believers!
The Indispensable Spider-Man returns once again this week, bringing you just the essential issues of the Spider-Man chronology between 1979 and 1982.
You’ll notice that we are compressing the number of years included per post. The reason is twofold; first, because we look for good jumping on points/endings that delimit the era, such as new creative teams, new series launches or just the beginning of an important arc. The number of years each post will span from here on out will be between 2-3.
Here’s the criteria we use to whittle down the reading list:
- What are considered the best issues in the main Spider-Man chronology are central
- Any issues that change the status quo for significant portion of time are included as well
- 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.
Spider-Man Chronology from 1979-1982 : What You Need To Know
What makes the cut of the indispensable 1979-1982 Spider-Man Chronology
Actually, hardly any issues of this era makes the cut. As Spider-Man’s main supporting cast get jettisoned (Harry, MJ) only to be replaced by more forgettable characters from Peter’s graduate studies. There are three first appearances here that are important, however; Madame Web, Jack O’Lantern and the Black Cat.
Creators of the 1979-1982 Spider-Man Chronology era
Denny O’Neil takes over writing Amazing Spider-Man in this era, partnered with John Romita Jr, the son of the legendary Spider-Man artist, who begins a decades-long run drawing Spider-Man. Roger Stern has a run on Spectacular Spider-Man which precedes his lauded run on Amazing Spider-Man. Other names found in these issues are Mantlo, Pollard, Wolfman and Severin, among others.
Titles of the 1979-1982 Spider-Man Chronology era
Amazing Spider-Man and the Spectacular Spider-Man remain the core of the Spider-Man chronology. Marvel Team-Up is still published, but hardly a heavyweight in terms of lasting stories.
Events of the 1979-1982 Spider-Man Chronology era
No big events occur during this period, which is why the list is so slim. There are some important character introductions, such as Madame Web, Roderick Kingsley (who eventually becomes the Hobgoblin) and Debra Whitman, who eventual becomes Peter’s girlfriend. The Black Cat makes her second arc appearance which further fleshes out the character as she reveals her love for Spider-man.
Collections of the 1979-1982 Spider-Man Chronology era
We’ve hit a low point in terms of reprint accessibility. Here are a few options:
Essential Spider-Man, Vol. 10
Essential Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
Essential Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 3)
The Indispensable Spider-Man Chronology 1979-1982
| Order | Year | Age | Issue | Creators | Details | ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200.03 | 1979 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #36 ES-S2 | Mantlo, Mooney | 1st Whitman, Peter starts graduate studies | * |
| 201.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #201 ES9 | Wolfman, Pollard | Punisher, Last MJ appearance | * |
| 202.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #202 ES9 | Wolfman, Pollard | Punisher | * |
| 204.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #204 ES9 | Wolfman, Pollard | Best! Black Cat reveals love for Spider-Man | ** |
| 205.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #205 ES9 | Michelinie, Pollard | Best! Black Cat | ** |
| 205.02 | 1980 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #43 ES-S2 | Stern, Zeck | 1st Roderick Kingsley, Peter dates Whitman | ** |
| 206.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #206 ES9 OB-RS1 | Stern, Byrne | Jonah escapes Jonas Harrow | * |
| 208.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #208 ES9 | O'Neil, Romita Jr | * | |
| 208.03 | 1980 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #47 ES-S2 OB-RS1 | Stern, Severin | 1st Lubensky | * |
| 208.04 | 1980 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #48 ES-S2 OB-RS1 | Stern, Severin | * | |
| 209.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #209 ES9 | O'Neil, Weiss | Kraven, 1st Calypso, Spider-Woman | * |
| 210.01 | 1980 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #210 ES9 | O'Neil, Romita Jr | Revealed! by Madame Web, 1st Madame Web | ** |
| 210.02 | 1980 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #49 ES-S2 OB-RS1 | Stern, Mooney | * | |
| 210.03 | 1981 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #50 ES-S2 OB-RS1 | Stern, Romita Jr | * | |
| 210.04 | 1981 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #51 ES-S2 OB-RS1 | Stern, Severin | Mysterio | * |
| 212.01 | 1981 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #212 ES10 | O'Neil, Romita Jr | 1st Hydro-Man | * |
| 216.01 | 1981 | Bronze | Amazing Spider-Man 1st series #216 ES10 | O'Neil, Romita Jr | Madame Web | * |
| 217.06 | 1981 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #56 ES-S3 OB-RS1 | Stern, Shooter | Jack O'Lantern, Vulture | * |
| 223.05 | 1981 | Bronze | Spectacular Spider-Man #61 ES-S3 OB-RS1 | Stern, Hannigan | * |
Please, help us make this list better by contributing your thoughts on what should be included. We would love to pared own this list even further, though we don’t want you to miss out on some great runs. Drop us a line in the comments for changes to this Spider-Man Chronology, which will be reflected in our larger Spider-Man Chronology list here: