Timeline of Events in Spider-Man Comics – 1963-2012

Similar to our popular X-Men Timeline of Events, we’ve gone ahead and done one for the Ol’ Webhead himself.  This list details the major happenings that have a lasting effect on Peter Parker, which are either still in play today, or at least changed Spidey’s world for a significant period of time.

SPOILER WARNING! If you haven’t already guessed, this list of events will spoil what happens in Spider-Man comics.

The dates listed below are in relation comics published this year (2013) are current, extrapolating from that point using Marvel’s loose 3-or-4-years-to-one rule.  Also included is Peter’s estimated age.

Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man

When: 12 to 16 years ago (published 1963-64)
Peter’s Age: From about 15 to 17 years old.

In these classic first Spider-Man stories, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko do something completely unseen at the time, a teenage superhero who doesn’t always win at the end.  Most of Peter’s most important villains and supporting cast are all introduced very early on.

(for that handful of you who now consider Doctor Octopus as Spider-Man, here’s his first appearance!)

Amazing Fantasy #15 BUY 1st Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man #1 BUY 1st Chameleon, 1st Jonah
Amazing Spider-Man #2 BUY S1st Vulture, 1st Tinkerer, Peter freelances for 1st time
Amazing Spider-Man #3 BUY 1st Doc Ock
Amazing Spider-Man #4 BUY 1st Sandman
Amazing Spider-Man #6 BUY 1st Lizard
Amazing Spider-Man #9 BUY 1st Electro
Amazing Spider-Man #13 BUY 1st Mysterio
Amazing Spider-Man #14 BUY 1st Green Goblin
Amazing Spider-Man #15 BUY 1st Kraven, 1st mention of MJ
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 BUY 1st Sinister Six

Collections:
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 1)
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 2 (Marvel Masterworks)

Peter’s New Friends (and Girlfriends!)

When: 11 to 15 years ago (published 1965-1966)
Peter’s Age: about 18 to 19 years old.

Peter graduates high school and enrolls to Empire State University.  He meets his future bestie Harry Osborn, his future Girlfriend Gwen Stacy and meets his future nemesis, Norman Osborn (whom he met as the Green Goblin prior to this) as they are both unmasked.  At this point, Ditko ends his run with the great “If This My Destiny” and few issues to spare, and John Romita Sr. joins and slowly makes the characters his own, giving us the definitive Gwen Stacy image. We also finally meet Mary Jane Watson, whose introduction creates probably the most revered love triangle in comic book history.

Amazing Spider-Man #31 BUY 1st Gwen Stacy, 1st Harry Osborn – If This Be My Destiny
Amazing Spider-Man #32 BUY If This Be My Destiny
Amazing Spider-Man #33 BUY If This Be My Destiny
Amazing Spider-Man #37 BUY 1st Norman Osborn (Green Goblin)
Amazing Spider-Man #39 BUY 1st Romita Sr, Spider-Man Unmasked to Green Goblin
Amazing Spider-Man #40 BUY Spider-Man Unmasked continues
Amazing Spider-Man #41 BUY 1st Rhino, Peter buys a Motorcycle
Amazing Spider-Man #42 BUY 1st MJ Watson “Tiger, You just hit the Jackpot!”
Amazing Spider-Man #43 BUY 1st Full MJ Watson

Collections:
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 2)
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 4 (Marvel Masterworks)
Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 5 (Marvel Masterworks)
The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus – Volume 2

Spider-Man No More! (well, the first time)

When: 11 to 15 years ago (published 1967)
Peter’s Age: about 18 to 19 years old.

The first and still most popular story in which Peter gives up being Spider-man, only to have his mantra of “With great power comes great responsibility” compel him to return, this story by Lee and Romita Jr is a masterwork in single-issue storytelling, lost to modern storytelling.

Sidebar: check out or list of other time Peter quits!. Also, get this iconic cover as a beautiful wall decal:
Spider-Man Walking Away Comic Cover Giant Wall Decal

Amazing Spider-Man #50 BUY

Collections:
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 3)
Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 5 (Marvel Masterworks)

Captain Stacy, We Hardly Knew Ye

When: 10 to 14 years ago (published 1970-1971)
Peter’s Age: about 19 years old.

While it may be the Silver Age, I would consider this the golden age of Peter’s supporting cast.  Harry and Peter are best friends, Flash becomes a reluctant friend of Pete’s, and the MJ-Gwen love triangle is at a peak.  Gwen’s father, Captain George Stacy gets introduced, and plays an important role as a father figure to Peter, and adds intrigue as well as his fascination with Spider-Man is another layer to the overall story.  Alas, the memory of Captain Stacy is larger than his life, as he meets his demise too soon during a battle between Ock and Spidey.  His last words are very important to Peter’s motivation, reaching near origin-level significance.

Amazing Spider-Man #59 BUY 1st Kingpin, Peter meets Captain Stacy
Amazing Spider-Man #60 BUY Kingpin, Captain Stacy
Amazing Spider-Man #61 BUY Kingpin, Captain Stacy
Amazing Spider-Man #66 BUY Peter dates Gwen
Amazing Spider-Man #87 BUY Spidey unmasked to friends and Captain Stacy
Amazing Spider-Man #88 BUY Captain Stacy, Doc Ock
Amazing Spider-Man #89 BUY Captain Stacy, Doc Ock
Amazing Spider-Man #90 BUY Death of Captain Stacy

Collections:
Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 4
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 5

The Night Gwen Stacy Died

When: 9 to 13 years ago (published 1971-1973)
Peter’s Age: about 19 years old.

After Gwen returns from London following the death of her father, she and Peter begin to get serious (when not interrupted by growing four extra arms!).  MJ and Harry, however, don’t gel, which leads to his drug problem and then the return of his father as the Green Goblin.

A battle between Green Goblin and Spider-Man results in the death of a kidnapped Gwen Stacy, who Spider-Man just fails to catch in time from her plummet for the George Washington Bridge. Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, meets his demise soon after.

Amazing Spider-Man #96 BUY Return of the Green Goblin, MJ flirts with Peter
Amazing Spider-Man #97 BUY Return of the Green Goblin, MJ dumps Harry, Harry overdoses
Amazing Spider-Man #98 BUY Return of the Green Goblin, Gwen returns from London
Amazing Spider-Man #100 BUY Six Arm Saga
Amazing Spider-Man #101 BUY Six Arm Saga, 1st Morbius, Lizard
Amazing Spider-Man #102 BUY Six Arm Saga
Amazing Spider-Man #121 BUY Green Goblin, Death of Gwen Stacy
Amazing Spider-Man #122 BUY Green Goblin, Death of Gwen Stacy
Amazing Spider-Man #123 BUY Gwen’s Funeral

Collections:
Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 5
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 6

Aunt May Almost Marries Doc Ock

When: 9 to 13 years ago (published 1971-1974)
Peter’s Age: about 19 to 20 years old.

Intertwining with the events of Gwen’s death, Spider-Man had been on a mysterious chase regarding the whereabouts of Aunt May.  Little did he know that Aunt May, who had befriended Doctor Octopus previously, was set to marry him, all in his ploy to inherit an island with precious scientific resources.

Also, following the events of Gwen’s death, the romance between Peter and MJ begin to see sparks, as she drops her “Party Girl” facade.

Amazing Spider-Man #54 BUY Doc Ock boards with May and Anna
Amazing Spider-Man #114 BUY May lives with Doc Ock
Amazing Spider-Man #115 BUY Doc Ock, May “battles” Spidey
Amazing Spider-Man #119 BUY Spider-Man in Canada, Aunt May’s mystery
Amazing Spider-Man #120 BUY Spider-Man in Canada, Aunt May’s mystery
Amazing Spider-Man #130 BUY Jackal, Doc Ock, Hammerhead
Amazing Spider-Man #131 BUY Doc Ock almost marries May, Hammerhead, Doc Ock “dies”, Hints at MJ & Peter romance

Collections:
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 5
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 6

The Original Clone Saga

When: 9 to 12 years ago (published 1975)
Peter’s Age: about 20 years old.

In what now seems almost too soon, Harry becomes the next Green Goblin, and Gwen Stacy returns, though as clone.  She was created by Miles Warren, a professor at ESU who had loved Gwen Stacy.  As the Jackal, Miles plotted his revenge against Spider-Man, which culminated with a battle between Spider-Man and his clone.  Peter dumps the clone’s dead body into a smokestack, which will come back to haunt him many times over over the course of the next few (publisher) decades.

(Note: we’re seeing a lot of consecutive issues for Amazing Spider-Man for the past few entries.  Don’t worry, the gaps will begin to increase.  This is just a very dense and crucial period for the Amazing Spider-Man.)

Amazing Spider-Man #135 BUY Harry Osborn is Green Goblin, discovers Peter is Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man #136 BUY Green Goblin II, MJ & Peter date, Peter’s Apartment destroyed
Amazing Spider-Man #137 BUY Green Goblin II
Amazing Spider-Man #139 BUY Jackal, Peter moves into apartment in Chelsea
Amazing Spider-Man #143 BUY! Clone Saga, Jackal, Peter and MJ fall in love
Amazing Spider-Man #144 BUY Clone Saga, Jackal, Gwen’s clone appears
Amazing Spider-Man #147 BUY Clone Saga, Jackal
Amazing Spider-Man #148 BUY Clone Saga, Jackal
Amazing Spider-Man #149 BUY Clone Saga, Jackal clones Peter
Amazing Spider-Man #150 BUY Clone Saga, Peter  tests to see if he is clone
Amazing Spider-Man #151 BUY Clone Saga, Shocker, Peter dumps clone in smokestack, Harry returns

Collections:
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 6
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 7

Peter (kinda) Graduates College, Meets New People

When: 9 to 11 years ago (published 1978)
Peter’s Age: about 21 years old.

First in a series of possibly life-changing events, Peter proposes to MJ, only to be rejected an issue later, which will eventually lead to having MJ leave the series for a good while. Soon after, Peter graduates from ESU, moving on to his graduate degree.  These two events lead to a renewal of the supporting cast, with the introduction of Peter’s next flame, Deb Whitman, as well as the popular Black Cat.

Also, we see the introduction of Carrion, who somewhat of a clone of Miles Warren, the Jackal.  Peter confronts the burglar who killed his Uncle

Amazing Spider-Man #182 BUY Peter’s 1st Proposal to MJ
Amazing Spider-Man #183 BUY MJ rejects Peter’s proposal
Amazing Spider-Man #184 BUY Betty returns, splits from Ned
Amazing Spider-Man #185 BUY Peter graduates College
Spectacular Spider-Man #25 BUY 1st Carrion
Spectacular Spider-Man #26 BUY Carrion visits Peter’s apartment
Spectacular Spider-Man #30 BUY Carrion revealed to be Jackal’s clone, Revealed! by Carrion
Spectacular Spider-Man #31 BUY Carrion
Amazing Spider-Man #193 BUY Peter & MJ break Up, Ned attacks Peter over Betty
Amazing Spider-Man #194 BUY 1st Black Cat
Amazing Spider-Man #195 BUY Black Cat
Amazing Spider-Man #196 BUY Kingpin returns, May “dies”, 1st Whitman
Amazing Spider-Man #200 BUY Death of the Burglar, May is alive
Spectacular Spider-Man #36 BUY Peter starts graduate studies

Collections:
Essential Spider-Man, Vol. 8
Essential Spider-Man, Vol. 9

Meet Madame Web

When: 8 to 10 years ago (published 1981)
Peter’s Age: about 21 years old.

Madame Web, a psychic, contacts Spider-Man, which brings about some of the top rated issues of the series, such as Spider-Man’s confrontation against the Juggernaut.

Meanwhile the Black Cat returns and professes her love for Spider-Man, though her criminal history always gets in the way.

Amazing Spider-Man #204 BUY Black Cat reveals love for Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man #205 BUY Black Cat
Amazing Spider-Man #210 BUY 1st Madame Web
Spectacular Spider-Man #64 BUY 1st Cloak and Dagger

Collections:
Essential Spider-Man, Vol. 9

The Hobgoblin and the Black Cat

When: 7 to 10 years ago (published 1983)
Peter’s Age: about 22 years old.

Deb Whitman breaks up with Peter after being into believing he isn’t Spider-Man.  Just then, the Black Cat returns quickly sparks up a relationship with Spider-Man.

Concurrently, a mystery man discovers the Green Goblin’s stash and takes on the name of Hobgoblin.  This mystery would leave readers guessing for years, with different writers continuing the mystery after Roger Stern, the original architect, left the book.

Madame Web ropes Spider-Man into confronting the Juggernaut in what is considered on of the best Spider-Man stories.

Amazing Spider-Man #226 BUY Black Cat
Amazing Spider-Man #227 BUY Black Cat granted amnesty, “drowns”
Amazing Spider-Man #229 BUY Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut, Madame Web
Amazing Spider-Man #230 BUY Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut, Madame Web
Spectacular Spider-Man #68 BUY Deb suspects Peter is Spider-Man
Spectacular Spider-Man #74 BUY Deb leaves, Black Cat returns
Spectacular Spider-Man #75 BUY Doc Ock beaten, Spidey dates Black Cat, Black Cat beaten
Spectacular Spider-Man #76 BUY Black Cat in hospital, Doc Ock
Amazing Spider-Man #238 BUY 1st Hobgoblin
Amazing Spider-Man #239 BUY Hobgoblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #78 BUY Doc Ock comes back for Black Cat in hospital
Spectacular Spider-Man #79 BUY Doc Ock arrested, Black Cat

Collections:
Essential Spider-Man (Vol. 10)
Essential Spider-Man (Vol. 11)
Essential Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man (Vol. 4)

The Saga of the Black Costume

When: 7 to 9 years ago (published 1984)
Peter’s Age: about 22 years old.

Spider-Man brings back the black costume from the Secret Wars, without knowing it is an alien symbiote.

On the relationship front, Spider-Man reveals his identity to his girlfriend, the Black Cat, who is taken aback by his civilian life.  The Black Cat secretly gets “bad luck” powers from the Kingpin.

MJ returns from New York and reveals she knows he’s Spider-Man.

Amazing Spider-Man #243 BUY MJ Returns, Black Cat, Peter quits college after 1st graduate year
Spectacular Spider-Man #89 BUY Black Cat gets powers from Kingpin
Secret Wars #8 BUY 1st Black Symbiote Costume
Amazing Spider-Man #252 BUY  Black Symbiote Costume
Amazing Spider-Man #253 BUY Black Symbiote Costume, 1st Rose
Amazing Spider-Man #256 BUY 1st Puma, Black Symbiote Costume, Black Cat
Amazing Spider-Man #257 BUY MJ knows Peter is Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man #258 BUY Black symbiote costume Revealed as alive, Hobgoblin, Rose, Black Cat
Spectacular Spider-Man #100 BUY Spider-Man and Black Cat break-up
Web of Spider-Man #1 BUY Spider-Man rejects the Symbiote

The Death of Jean DeWolff

When: 6 to 9 years ago (published 1985)
Peter’s Age: about 22 years old.

This still remains one significant death in Spider-Man lore, despite not being as close to “Peter”.  It helps that this story remains one of the best Spider-Man stories, which stands on its own without the significance of the death.

Also significant is the development of Daredevil discovering Spider-Man’s identity.

Spectacular Spider-Man #107 BUY Death of Jean DeWolff, Sin-Eater
Spectacular Spider-Man #108 BUY Death of Jean DeWolff, Sin-Eater
Spectacular Spider-Man #109 BUY Death of Jean DeWolff, Sin-Eater
Spectacular Spider-Man #110 BUY Death of Jean DeWolff, Sin-Eater
Amazing Spider-Man #275 BUY Peter plans to quit as Spider-Man

The Hobgoblin Revealed As Ned Leeds

When: 6 to 8 years ago (published 1987)
Peter’s Age: about 23 years old.

This is one of those periods where we get a dense amount of important story, as storylines wrap up with major reveals, while others pop up in aftermath.

The mystery of the Hobgoblin had been running for the past few years, with suspects such as Flash Thompson, Roderick Kingsley and Ned Leeds surfacing.  The latter is revealed to be the Hobgoblin, but only after his death.

Soon after, Peter proposes a second time to MJ, who accepts this time.  They marry nearly immediately (there goes the floating timeline!), but married life afterwards get very dark very fast as Kraven buries Peter alive, and then takes his own life after having completed his life goal of beating Spider-Man.

Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1 BUY The Hobgoblin Revealed, Wolverine
Amazing Spider-Man #289 BUY The Hobgoblin Revealed as Ned Leeds
Amazing Spider-Man #290 BUY Peter Proposes again
Amazing Spider-Man #291 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man #292 BUY MJ accepts proposal
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 BUY The Wedding!
Web of Spider-Man #31 BUY Kraven’s Last Hunt, Revealed! Kraven buries Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man #293 BUY Kraven’s Last Hunt
Spectacular Spider-Man #131 BUY Kraven’s Last Hunt
Web of Spider-Man #32 BUY Kraven’s Last Hunt
Amazing Spider-Man #294 BUY Kraven’s Last Hunt
Spectacular Spider-Man #132 BUY Kraven’s Last Hunt

Collections:
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt

Venom!

When: 6 to 8 years ago (published 1988)
Peter’s Age: about 23 years old.

Witness the birth of two fan favorites: Penciller Todd McFarlane makes his debut to much acclaim and the always popular Venom.

Venom is Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist during the “Death of Jean DeWolff” story who blames Spider-Man/Peter for his misfortunes. He bonds with the reject symbiote costume to create a new nemesis for Spider-Man, who also knows his secret identity.

Amazing Spider-Man #300 BUY 1st full Venom Appearance

Collections:
Amazing Spider-Man by Michelinie and McFarlane Omnibus 

Carnage vs. Venom vs. Green Goblin

When: 5 to 7 years ago (published 1991)
Peter’s Age: about 24 years old.

While these two stories ran concurrently, they both usher in a reconfiguration of Spider-Man’s major villains and nemeses.

First, Harry Osborn returns as the evil Green Goblin (in what is a personal favorite story of mine, as well as textbook example in storytelling for all creators involved).  He later dies of poisoning from the goblin formula after having saved Peter.

Meanwhile, with Venom continuing to be very popular, he begins to take on an anti-hero role, and Carnage, another symbiote latched onto to serial killer, steps in to the role of Spider-Man’s greatest foe.

To add on some intrigue to these major developments, Peter’s parents return from the grave, revealed to have been POWs of sorts.

Spectacular Spider-Man #178 BUY Green Goblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #179 BUY Green Goblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #180 BUY Green Goblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #181 BUY Green Goblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #182 BUY Green Goblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #183 BUY Green Goblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #184 BUY Green Goblin
Spectacular Spider-Man #189 BUY Green Goblin
Amazing Spider-Man #361 BUY 1st Carnage
Amazing Spider-Man #362 BUY Carnage
Amazing Spider-Man #363 BUY Carnage
Amazing Spider-Man #365 BUY Peter’s Parents Return
Amazing Spider-Man #366 BUY Peter’s Parents
Spectacular Spider-Man #200 BUY Death of Harry Osborn

The Second Clone Saga

When: 4 to 6 years ago (published 1994)
Peter’s Age: about 25 years old.

Peter’s parents are revealed to be a type of robot, implanted into his life to discover Spider-Man’s identity.  Chameleon was the villain responsible, though he was manipulated by the late Green Goblin (Harry) into this scenario.

Spider-Man goes off the edge, and other events keep piling on, such as Aunt May going into a coma, which also brings his long-thought dead clone back into the picture.

Amazing Spider-Man #386 BUY Lifetheft 
Amazing Spider-Man #387 BUY Lifetheft
Amazing Spider-Man #388 BUY Lifetheft
Amazing Spider-Man #389 BUY Lifetheft, Parents revealed to be robots, Chameleon
Amazing Spider-Man #390 BUY Shrieking
Amazing Spider-Man #391 BUY Shrieking
Amazing Spider-Man #392 BUY Shrieking, Aunt May collapses
Amazing Spider-Man #393 BUY Shrieking
Spectacular Spider-Man #216 BUY Peter meets his clone (Ben Reilly)
Web of Spider-Man #117 BUY Power and Responsibility
Amazing Spider-Man #394 BUY Power and Responsibility
Spider-Man #51 BUY Power and Responsibility, Reilly courted to help Peter
Spectacular Spider-Man #217 BUY Power and Responsibility

Collections:
Spider-Man: The Complete Clone Saga Epic, Book 1

Ben Reilly Becomes Spider-Man

When: 4 to 6 years ago (published 1995)
Peter’s Age: about 25 years old.

Mary Jane reveals she’s pregnant amid doubts over who is really the clone; Peter or Ben.  Aunt May dies and the Jackal returns to shed some more confusion over the ordeal.

Dock Ock saves Spider-Man from a poisoning, hoping for him to be the one to kill him (revealing his identity in the process), though is killed soon after by the mysterious Kaine.  It so happens this Kaine is responsible for a string of murders for which Peter is being convicted.  He is revealed to be another clone of Peter, who spent much of his time trying to make life miserable for Ben Reilly, thinking Peter is actually the clone (giving at least one clone the life they want).

Peter is revealed to be the clone, and decides to quit being Spider-Man to raise a family, handing the mantle over to Ben Reilly, who had been operating as the Scarlet Spider.

Peter loses, regains powers – becomes Spider-Man again

When: 4 to 5 years ago (published 1996)
Peter’s Age: about 25 years old.

Peter does not stay gone for long as Ben Reilly takes up the mantle of Spider-Man.  Peter loses his powers during his last adventure while at his new job in Portland.  He returns to New York as the bones of the clone left in the smokestack are found.  He starts to show signs of illness (which they believe to be clone degeneration), though it is his body regaining powers.  

Norman Osborn returns, revealed to not have died way back in #122, and had planned the whole clone saga all along.  As Ben Reilly is revealed as the clone, he dies bravely in the battle against the Green Goblin.  Peter takes up the mantle of Spider-Man again, though it keeps him from Mary Jane, whose baby dies during childbirth (though it is hinted to have been really kidnapped by Osborn).

Sensational Spider-Man #0 BUY Ben Reilly becomes Spider-Man
Spider-Man: Final Adventure #1 BUY Peter moves to portland
Spider-Man: Final Adventure #2 BUY
Spider-Man: Final Adventure #3 BUY
Spider-Man: Final Adventure #4 BUY Peter loses his powers
Spider-Man #69 BUY Peter moves back to NY
Spider-Man #70 BUY
Spider-Man #71 BUY Peter flatlines
Spectacular Spider-Man #237 BUY Peter regains powers
Spectacular Spider-Man #240 BUY Revelations
Sensational Spider-Man #11 BUY Revelations, Green Goblin
Amazing Spider-Man #418 BUY Revelations, Green Goblin
Spider-Man #75 BUY Revelations Ben Reilly dies, Green Goblin, Peter becomes Spider-Man

Collections:
Spider-Man: The Complete Ben Reilly Epic Book 1
Spider-Man: The Complete Ben Reilly Epic Book 5
Spider-Man: The Complete Ben Reilly Epic Book 6

(If all of this sounds like a weird soap opera, don’t worry, it’s the 90’s – things get back to how they were after this…  well, for a while, at least)

Hobgoblin Revealed as Kingsley

When: 3 to 5 years ago (published 1997)
Peter’s Age: about 25 years old.

As Roger Stern returns years after his run to put an ending to his long running mystery surrounding the identity of the Hobgoblin.  It is revealed that Roderick Kingsley, not Ned Leeds, was the original Hobgoblin. Kingsley had manipulated Leeds into thinking he was the Hobgoblin, which led to his death. This revelation now puts another classic Goblin back in play, as Kingsley is very much alive.

Other classic villains return as Norman Osborn purchases the Daily bugle and Doctor Octopus is revived.

Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives #1 BUY
Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives #2 BUY
Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives #3 BUY
Spectacular Spider-Man #248 BUY
Spectacular Spider-Man #249 BUY Osborn buys the Bugle
Spectacular Spider-Man #250 BUY 
Amazing Spider-Man #426 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man #427 BUY Doc Ock revived
Amazing Spider-Man #428 BUY

Collections:
Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives

Spider-Man defeats Osborn and Quits in the “Final Chapters”

hint: this probably won’t stick.

When: 3 to 5 years ago (published 1998)
Peter’s Age: about 26 years old.

Norman Osborn frame Spider-Man for murder.  During this period, Peter takes up different identities to fool Osborn and operate without the many bounty hunters out for his head.

Meanwhile, Robbie Robertson quits the Bugle under Osborn’s leadership.  He begins travelling the world as  a retiree as a cover to discover Osborn’s secret plan.  The secret turns out that “May” is alive, and he has been holding her all this time.  However, it is not “May”, Mary Jane and Peter’s child who they believed died at birth, but Aunt May.  (The May that died in #400 was actresses planted by Osborn).

Osborn collects five mystical artifacts which he hopes would give him extra power.  They in fact turn him insane, and Spider-Man defeats him in a final battle, after which he quits being Spider-Man.

Spectacular Spider-Man #251 BUY Spider-Man framed
Spider-Man #88 BUY Spider-Man framed for murder
Spectacular Spider-Man #254 BUY Robertson resigns officially
Sensational Spider-Man #25 BUY Spider-Hunt, Normie kidnapped
Amazing Spider-Man #432 BUY Spider-Hunt
Spider-Man #89 BUY Spider-Hunt
Spectacular Spider-Man #255 BUY Spider-Hunt
Amazing Spider-Man #434 BUY Identity Crisis
Spider-Man #91 BUY Identity Crisis
Spider-Man #92 BUY Identity Crisis Trapster confesses to murder
Spectacular Spider-Man #259 BUY Goblins at the Gate
Spectacular Spider-Man #260 BUY Goblins at the Gate
Spectacular Spider-Man #261 BUY Goblins at the Gate
Sensational Spider-Man #32 BUY Gathering of the Five
Amazing Spider-Man #440 BUY Gathering of the Five
Spider-Man #96 BUY Gathering of the Five
Spectacular Spider-Man #262 BUY Gathering of the Five
Sensational Spider-Man #33 BUY Gathering of the Five, MJ quits school
Amazing Spider-Man #441 BUY The Final Chapter
Spider-Man #97 BUY The Final Chapter
Spectacular Spider-Man #263 BUY The Final Chapter
Spider-Man #98 BUY The Final Chapter, Spider-Man Quits!

Peter becomes Spider-Man again as MJ dies, returns, then leaves

When: 2 to 4 years ago (published 2000)
Peter’s Age: about 26 years old.

Peter dons his Spider-Man costume once again, which puts a strain on his and Mary Jane’s relationship.  Before any reconciliation, MJ’s plan explodes.  Peter strongly believes she is alive, and searches for her.  MJ is in fact alive, and is being held captive by an unknown admirer.

Peter saves Mary Jane, but the events demonstrated that being Spider-Man is much too dangerous for her.  They split ways as she goes to pursue her acting career in Hollywood.

Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #1 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #2 BUY Peter becomes Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #3 BUY
Peter Parker Spider-Man #3 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #11 BUY  MJ discovers Peter is again Spider-Man
Peter Parker Spider-Man #11 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #12 BUY
Peter Parker Spider-Man #12 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #13 BUY MJ’s plane explodes
Peter Parker Spider-Man #13 BUY Peter learns of MJ’s death
Peter Parker Spider-Man #14 BUY MJ’s Claimed alive
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #15 BUY
Peter Parker Spider-Man #15 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #29 BUY MJ returns
Peter Parker Spider-Man #29 BUY MJ and Peter reunited
Amazing Spider-Man Annual 2nd series #2001 BUY MJ and Peter split

Collections:
Spider-Man: The Next Chapter – Volume 1
Spider-Man: The Next Chapter – Volume 2
Spider-Man: The Next Chapter – Volume 3

MJ and Peter Reconcile, Ezekiel Gives Spidey a New Origin

When: 2 to 3 years ago (published 2001-2004)
Peter’s Age: about 27 years old.

Spider-Man encounters Ezekiel, a man who believes that Spider-Man’s powers are in fact mystical, as he gained similar powers from this mystical source.  Spider-Man must confront powerful new foes (Morlun, Shathra) who were destined to beat him. Ezekiel sacrifices himself to save Peter, who he had originally duped and set up for sacrifice instead of himself.

Meanwhile, Aunt May discovers Peter is Spider-Man.  Together, they attempt to reconcile with MJ.  She eventually returns to NY to be with Peter.

Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #30 BUY 1st Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #31 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #32 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #33 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #34 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #35 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #37 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #38 BUY Aunt May discovers Peter is Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #39 BUY MJ silent issue
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #46 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #47 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #48 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #49 BUY Ezekiel, Peter & MJ meet
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #50 BUY MJ returns
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #506 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #507 BUY Ezekiel
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #508 BUY Ezekiel dies

Collections:
Amazing Spider-Man by JMS Ultimate Collection, Book 1
Amazing Spider-Man by JMS: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2
Amazing Spider-Man by JMS – Ultimate Collection Book 3 (Amazing Spider-Man Ultimate Collection)

Spider-Man joins the Avengers

When: 1 to 3 years ago (published 2005)
Peter’s Age: about 27 years old.

The Avengers have disassembled, but after helping Captain America during a breakout at the Raft, he is asked to form a new team of Avengers.

He eventually moves into Stark Tower to live among the Avengers with Aunt May and Mary Jane in tow.

Peter discovers he is dying, though he is really just going through a sort of metamorphosis.  He dies, leaving a shell of himself behind, and emerges with new powers, such as having “stingers” shooting out of his wrists (However, these powers are seldom referenced since).  At the end of this “The Other” crossover, Tony Stark develops a new enhanced costume for Spider-Man.

New Avengers #1 BUY Spider-Man joins the New Avengers
New Avengers #2 BUY
New Avengers #3 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #519 BUY Peter, MJ and May move into Stark Tower
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 BUY The Other 
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #19 BUY The Other
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #525 BUY The Other
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2 BUY The Other
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #20 BUY The Other
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #526 BUY The Other
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #3 BUY The Other
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #21 BUY The Other
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #527 BUY The Other
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4 BUY The Other
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #22 BUY The Other
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #528 BUY The Other

Collections:
Amazing Spider-Man by JMS – Ultimate Collection, Book 4

Spider-Man Reveals His Identity, Sells His Marriage to the Devil

When: 1 to 2 years ago (published 2007)
Peter’s Age: about 28 years old.

A Civil War breaks out among Marvel’s superheroes over whether they should register publicly with the government or not.  Spider-Man, on the registration side, reveals his identity to the press.  His enemies go after his family, and Aunt May is shot.  This takes Spider-Man to the other side.

To save Aunt May, whose misfortune stems from his revealing his identity, Peter and Mary Jane sell their marriage to Mephisto.  They will not remember having been married, and part ways.

Civil War #1 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #532 BUY
Civil War #2 BUY Spider-Man reveals his identity
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #533 BUY Spider-Man reveals his identity
Civil War #3 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #534 BUY
Civil War #4 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #535 BUY
Civil War #5 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #536 BUY
Civil War #6 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #537 BUY
Civil War #7 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #538 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #539 BUY Back in Black
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #540 BUY Back in Black
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #541 BUY Back in Black
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #542 BUY Back in Black
Sensational Spider-Man 2nd series Annual #1 BUY Final Great MJ and Peter Marriage Story
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #543 BUY Back in Black
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #544 BUY Back in Black
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24 BUY One More Day
Sensational Spider-Man 2nd series #41 BUY One More Day
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #545 BUY One More Day

Collections:
The Amazing Spider-Man: Civil War
Spider-Man: Back in Black
Spider-Man: One More Day

Spider-Man Reveals His Identity, Sells His Marriage to the Devil

When: 9 months to 1 years ago (published 2009)
Peter’s Age: about 28 years old.

After One More Day, Peter is once again single, and Harry Osborn has returned, apparently having been healing in Europe (much the same excuse as his Father’s).  Speaking of, Norman takes charge of an anti-superhero team, and  continues to manipulate his son.  The latest new villain, Menace, turns out to be Harry’s girlfriend, and is now pregnant.  Norman leads Harry to believe it is his child, though it turns out to be Harry’s.  Harry takes the baby and lives life on the lam with him.

Doctor Octopus returns by taking over many of the electronics in New York.  Spider-Man plugs into the system himself via a helmet designed by Doc Ock himself to shut him out.  While defeated, the use of this helmet will have lasting consequences.

Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #546 BUY Brand New Day, New Status Quo, Harry Returns
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #547 BUY Brand New Day
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #548 BUY Brand New Day
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #584 BUY Character Assassination – Menace
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #585 BUY Character Assassination – Menace
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #586 BUY Character Assassination – Menace
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #587 BUY Character Assassination – Menace
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #588 BUY Character Assassination – Menace
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #590 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #591 BUY John Jameson becomes Mayor of New York
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #595 BUY Harry as American Son
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #596 BUY Harry as American Son
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #597 BUY Harry as American Son
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #598 BUY Harry as American Son
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #599 BUY Harry as American Son
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #600 BUY Doctor Octopus – Helmet
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #642 BUY Origin of Species – Menace’s Baby
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #643 BUY Origin of Species – Menace’s Baby
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #644 BUY Origin of Species – Menace’s Baby
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #645 BUY Origin of Species – Menace’s Baby
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #646 BUY Origin of Species – Menace’s Baby

Collections:
Amazing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Vol. 1
Spider-Man: Election Day
Spider-Man: American Son
Spider-Man: Origin of the Species

Spider-Man Hits the Big Time

When: 6 to 9 months ago (published 2010)
Peter’s Age: about 29 years old.

Peter gets his dream job at Horizon Labs, starts a relationship with forensic investigator Carlie Cooper and joins the Fantastic Four.  Everything seems to be going right for once.  Even Mary Jane has return once again to New York.

However, after Marla, now-Mayor Jonah Jameson’s wife, dies during a battle, Spider-Man swears that no one dies.

Both Mary Jane and Carlie get Spider-Powers during Spider-Island, where the newly-resurrected Jackal releases a virus that gives everyone on the Island of Manhattan Spider-Powers.  Spider-Man uses Doc Ock’s helmet from #600 to help end the events of Spider-Island. When Carlie is cured (though only after turning into a giant spider), she breaks up with Peter, having deduced he is Spider-Man, and doesn’t appreciate his lie.

Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #647 BUY Carlie and Peter Begin Dating
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #648 BUY Big Time, Peter gets job at Horizon
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #649 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #650 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #651 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #655 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #656 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #657 BUY Spider-Man replaces Human Torch
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #667 BUY Spider-Island
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #668 BUY Spider-Island
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #669 BUY Spider-Island
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #670 BUY Spider-Island
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #671 BUY Spider-Island, Mary Jane with Spider-Man Powers
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #672 BUY Spider-Island, Spider-Man uses Doc Ock’s helmet tech, Carlie Breaks up with Peter

Collections:
Spider-Man: Big Time
Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death
Spider-Man: The Fantastic Spider-Man
Spider-Man: Spider-Island (Spider-Man (Marvel))
Spider-Man: Big Time Ultimate Collection

Peter’s Mind is Replaced by Doc Ock’s

When: Presently.
Peter’s Age: about 29 years old.

Spider-Man, under his edict of “No One Dies”, saves Doc Ock after thwarting his final plan.  Ock, who is dying from all the damage sustained over the years, is not done.  He is able to access Peter’s mind because of his extended use of the helmet tech over the past few months.

Doc Ock switches mind with Peter.  Though Peter fails to switch back and dies in Ock’s body, his conscience is still alive within his body, and his sense of “with Great Power comes  Great Responsibility” resonates with Doctor Octopus’s mind.  In Peter’s body, Doc Ock swears to continue using his power for good, though in a much superior way than Peter had done.

Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #682 BUY Ock’s final world domination plan
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #683 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #684 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #685 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #686 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #687 BUY Spider-Man saves Doc Ock
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #698 BUY Doc Ock Switches with Peter
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #699 BUY
Amazing Spider-Man 2nd Series #700 BUY Peter’s Mind Dies In Ock’s  Body
Avenging Spider-Man #15.1 BUY Doc Ock organizes his life as Peter Parker

Collections:
Spider-Man: Ends of the Earth
Spider-Man: Dying Wish

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