The History of Spider-Man: 1984
Spidey joins Secret Wars, gets his original black costume and much more in a very busy year!
For over 50 years, Spider-Man has been a sensational standout in the Marvel Universe, and this year, the web-slinger swings onto the silver screen once more in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”! In celebration of his memorable history, we present Spidey’s spectacular step-by-step story!
After a strange situation with Aunt May as Galactus’ new herald in MARVEL TEAM-UP #137, Spider-Man took on a powered-up Thunderball and had a poignant meeting with “The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man” in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #248, and following an annoying encounter with the Fly in PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #86, decided to reveal his identity as Peter Parker to the Black Cat in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #87. Did that go well? No, it did not. Not even when the duo tried to insinuate themselves into the middle of a feud between Mr. Hyde and Cobra in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #88.
The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #248
- Published: January 10, 1984
- Added to Marvel Unlimited: April 28, 2007
Reeling from the Black Cat’s rejection of Peter, our hero teamed with the former-criminal Sandman to battle the Enforcers in MARVEL TEAM-UP #138, Nick Fury to defend against a Dreadnought in MARVEL TEAM-UP #139, and Black Widow to free a framed ex-gang member in MARVEL TEAM-UP #140. Later, Black Cat searched for someone to give her super powers in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #89.
In AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #249, the wallcrawler tried to break up Hobgoblin’s blackmail scheme, but lost his spider-sense to the villain’s new chemical gas. The Kingpin, of all people, rescued Spidey in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #250, but when he entered into final battle with his foe, Hobgoblin apparently drowned in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #251. Soon after, Spidey discovered a weird, alien device in Central Park and disappeared into it.
The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #252
- Published: May 10, 1984
- Added to Marvel Unlimited: November 13, 2007
- Writer: Roger Stern, Tom Defalco
- Penciller: Ron Frenz
- Cover Artist: Ron Frenz
In SECRET WARS #1, the webslinger found himself among his fellow super heroes as they zipped across the galaxy to act as gladiators on the Beyonder’s Battleworld – a battle which continued through the entire SECRET WARS 12-part limited series. He reappeared back on Earth in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #252 after many trials and tribulations, but supporting an all-new black costume, a variation on his original suit (how he got it was shown in SECRET WARS #8). Black Cat caught up with him again in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #90, and he caught up with Black Widow and Daredevil to help them finish a case in MARVEL TEAM-UP #141.
A new mob boss called the Rose made his scent known in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #253, demanding our hero’s attention. Jack O’ Lantern attempted to purloin Hobgoblin’s battle van in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #254, and the thief called the Black Fox made the mistake of trying to steal from the Red Ghost and his Super Apes in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #255. The webslinger aided Captain Marvel in investigating disappearing cities in MARVEL TEAM-UP #142, but when she became stuck in her energy form he worked with Starfox in MARVEL TEAM-UP #143 to return her to her solid self.
Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #95
- Published: October 10, 1984
- Added to Marvel Unlimited: May 26, 2015
- Writer: Al Milgrom
- Cover Artist: Al Milgrom
Spidey and Black Cat bounced up against the Blob in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #91, and the mysterious Answer tested both of them in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #92. Later, the villain kidnapped the Cat to distract the wallcrawler from his theft of Silverman’s corpse in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #93, and the Kingpin revived the cyborg mob boss in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #94. After a tussle with all involved, the Answer sacrificed his corporeal body to save Dagger’s life when Silvermane sucked a missing shard of his soul out of her in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #95 and SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #96.
Following a clash between Moon Knight and the White Dragon in MARVEL TEAM-UP #144, and a visit to Cleveland with Iron Man to confront Blacklash in MARVEL TEAM-UP #145, Spidey suffered his arm pulled out of its socket by the assassin Puma in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #256, as well as his new costume seemingly gaining a life of its own. To add insult to injury, Mary Jane Watson revealed to him in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #257 that she’d known his secret identity as Peter Parker all along. Trying to push his troubles with MJ and Black Cat aside, our hero sought out Mr. Fantastic in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #258 to subdue his black costume, which turned out to be an alien symbiote leeching off of him.
The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #258
- Published: November 10, 1984
- Added to Marvel Unlimited: April 28, 2007
- Writer: Tom Defalco
- Penciller: Ron Frenz
- Cover Artist: Ron Frenz
Back in his old costume, the webslinger met the Hermit in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #97, and learned the still-alive Hobgoblin wanted Harry Osborn for his father’s Green Goblin journals in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #259. He also delved into the mystery of the Black Abbott with Nomad in MARVEL TEAM-UP #146, the Human Torch in MARVEL TEAM-UP #147, and Thor in MARVEL TEAM-UP #148.
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