The Lizard is probably not the first villain you think of when considering Spider-Man’s rogues gallery. In fact, the Amazing Spider-Man Lizard hasn’t really been featured in many issues, despite having an early appearance cementing him as one of Spider-Man’s top villains. If you don’t count non-lizard Curt Connors appearances and non-Connors Lizard appearances, it reduces a small list of issues, already. Yet, he is the chosen villain for the upcoming Spider-Man reboot, The Amazing Spider-Man.
So, for your reading pleasure, here are the essential Spider-Man Lizard appearances.
Spider-Man Lizard Comic Book Essential Issues
The Amazing Spider-Man Lizard – 1st Appearance
The first Amazing Spider-Man Lizard appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man #6. The premise was simple, and had endured through the years: scientist injects himself with serum derived from lizards to regrow his amputated arm, turns into giant lizard instead. Here, we see Curt Connors, the Lizard, still living in Florida. For those thinking that the Amazing Spider-Man Lizard movie version doesn’t look like the comic book version of the Lizard, take a look at his first appearance; the resemblance is much closer.
Spider-Man Lizard Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #6 (BUY)
Curt Connors Helps Spider-Man
Curt Connors eventually moved to New York, and became a good ally to Spider-Man, helping him out with laboratory needs, while Spider-Man returned the favor by helping Curt when he occasionally turned back into the Lizard.
Spider-Man Lizard Essentials
Amazing Spider-Man #43 (BUY) Curt helps Spider-Man dissolve the Rhino’s costume
Amazing Spider-Man #44 (BUY) The Lizard Returns
Amazing Spider-Man #45 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #75 (BUY) Curt gets entangled into the Petrified Tablet saga, turns into Lizard
Amazing Spider-Man #76 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #77 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #101 (BUY) Curt aids Spider-Man during the Six Arm Saga, turns into the Lizard
Amazing Spider-Man #150 (BUY) Curt aids Spider-Man at the end of the original Clone Saga
Amazing Spider-Man #165 (BUY) The Lizard Returns again
Amazing Spider-Man #166 (BUY)
Also collected in:
Essential Spider-Man Volume 3 (BUY
Essential Spider-Man Volume 4 (BUY
Curt Connors Teaches Peter Parker at ESU
Eventually, Curt Connors gets to know Spider-Man’s alter ego Peter Parker as well, when he begins to teach at Empire State University. The Spider-Man Lizard relationship continues, in which Connors helps Spider-Man and Spider-Man helps Curt when he turns into Lizards, with Peter now in the mix.
Spider-Man Lizard Essentials
Spectacular Spider-Man #32 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #33 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #34 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #39 (BUY) Spider-Man turns into the Lizard
Spectacular Spider-Man #40 (BUY)
Also collected in:
Essential Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 2 (BUY
The Spider-Man Lizard Dark Years
While Curt Connors Relationship with his family, and son in particular, was never great, things go downhill, as the Lizard personality begins to merge with Curt’s. He becomes more deadly, and eventually reveals that at some part in time he was fully aware and in charge of the Lizard personality and used it as a form of escapism.
Spider-Man Lizard Essentials
Spectacular Spider-Man #127 (BUY) Personalities Merge
Spider-Man #1 (BUY) Torment begins: The Lizard takes lives under control of Calypso, by Todd McFarlane
Spider-Man #2 (BUY)
Spider-Man #3 (BUY)
Spider-Man #4 (BUY)
Spider-Man #5 (BUY)
Amazing Spider-Man #365 (BUY) Great, classic Spider-Man Lizard Story with art from Mark Bagley
Spectacular Spider-Man #237 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #238 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man #239 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man 2nd series #11 (BUY) The line between Connors and the Lizard disappears
Spectacular Spider-Man 2nd series #12 (BUY)
Spectacular Spider-Man 2nd series #13 (BUY)
Also collected in:
Spider-Man Torment TPB (BUY