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Spider-Man Reading Order, The Complete and Amazing Adventures of Peter Parker

With issue #15 (May 1962), the anthology comic book Amazing Adult Fantasy was renamed Amazing Fantasy after Marvel realized teenagers were uncomfortable buying a title with “Adult” in its name. The issue introduced “The Spiderman,” a teenage superhero created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, who was meant to headline the series, but Amazing Fantasy was canceled shortly after. The character, soon renamed Spider-Man, became an instant success and quickly earned his own ongoing comic book series.

Spider-Man’s story begins with Peter Parker, a geeky orphaned high school student from Queens, New York, living with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. After being bitten by a radioactive spider during a science exhibit, Peter gains spider-like agility and strength. At first, he uses his powers for fame and money, but after refusing to stop a thief who later causes Uncle Ben’s death, Peter learns the lesson that defines his life: “With great power there must also come great responsibility!”

From then on, Peter Parker balances fighting criminals with everyday struggles like helping Aunt May pay the bills, studying, and working as a photographer for the Daily Bugle, where publisher J. Jonah Jameson constantly attacks Spider-Man in print. Over the years, Peter meets Harry Osborn, Gwen Stacy, and Mary Jane Watson while facing enemies like the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and the Sinister Six. His life is marked by tragedy, personal loss, and constant challenges as the Marvel Universe expands around him.

Spider-Man eventually teams up with heroes like the Fantastic Four and The Avengers, becoming one of Marvel Comics’ most important characters. Loved by readers but often hated within his own world, Spider-Man grew into one of the most recognizable fictional characters ever created, starring in movies, television shows, video games, and more.

This article focuses entirely on the comic books, returning to the beginning of Spider-Man’s long publishing history to explore his reading order from the very start.

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Where to start with the Spider-Man Comics?

The first Spider-Man comics were published in 1962. Of course, you don’t have to read everything from the start. In fact, there are multiple perfect entry points in the saga. You have to follow the menu:

Now-classic “modern” relaunches, good entry points for new readers:

You can also read our selection of the Best Spider-Man Comics there is!

We already have multiple comic book reading orders for some specific eras of Spider-Man’s comic book history:

The Spider-Verse Beyond Peter Parker: We also wrote reading orders and other articles for other characters connected to the Amazing Spider-Man!

The Amazing Spider-Man Comics Reading Order

As of 2026, Marvel Comics is no longer releasing new volumes in the Marvel Masterworks line. These hardcover editions previously formed the backbone of this Spider-Man reading order, particularly for the character’s first two decades of publication. However, as the Masterworks volumes have become increasingly difficult to source, the guide has been restructured to prioritize the Epic Collection series, when possible (there are still gaps in the collection).

Searching for a Spider-Man Omnibus?

More than 30 omnibuses are dedicated to Spider-Man at this time of writing. Find them all in one place! Follow our guide:

See Our Complete Guide to the Spider-Man Omnibus Collection.

From Amazing to Spectacular: Spider-Man in the 1970s

Starting with Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962), the 1960s Spider-Man comics were largely shaped by Stan Lee and Ditko’s work, later continued by John Romita Sr., who helped redefine the series’ tone and visual identity, while introducing key elements such as Peter Parker’s evolving personal life and supporting cast. In the 1970s, writers including Gerry Conway, Len Wein, and Marv Wolfman, alongside artists such as Ross Andru, expanded the series into more complex and consequential storytelling, marked by major developments like the death of Gwen Stacy and the launch of additional Spider-Man titles like The Spectacular Spider-Man.

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Written by Kurt Busiek and published between 1995 and 1997, Untold Tales of Spider-Man revisits Spider-Man’s earliest period, setting its stories during the character’s formative years in continuity. The series functions as a retroactive expansion of the Lee and Ditko era, filling narrative gaps within Peter Parker’s early career while maintaining strict consistency with established events. It can be read either alongside the corresponding early Amazing Spider-Man issues or later in the broader reading order, without disrupting continuity.

  • Untold Tales of Spider-Man Omnibus
    Collects Amazing Fantasy #16-18, Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1-22, -1 and 23-25, Annual ’96 and Annual ’97, Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounter, and The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #37.

Launched in 1972, Marvel Team-Up was an anthology series primarily featuring Spider-Man in a rotating lineup of guest appearances alongside other Marvel heroes such as the Human Torch, Doctor Strange, and the X-Men. The first 30 issues have recently been reprinted in Marvel Team-Up Omnibus Vol. 1.

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Following the success of The Amazing Spider-Man comics, Peter Parker became one of the stars of Marvel Team-Up, but his success also led to a second ongoing series: The Spectacular Spider-Man. The way the series is collected is not optimal if you want to read the issues in order, especially during the 1980s. If you want an issue-by-issue reading order, a Reddit user named Kiekan did a great job writing an extremely detailed chronological reading order.

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Black Cat Reading Order IconBlack Cat made her first official comic book appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #194. To learn a little bit more about Felicia Hardy, check out our article about the origins of Marvel’s Black Cat, but also our Black Cat Reading Order.

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MARVEL MASTERWORKS: SPIDER-MAN COLLECTION part. 1

The Amazing Spider-Man goes Cosmic in the 1980s

Dennis O’Neil and John Romita Jr. made their debuts on The Amazing Spider-Man during the late 1970s, marking a transitional phase in the series’ creative direction. Their early contributions included the introduction of Madame Web! More broadly, during the 1980s, The Amazing Spider-Man slowly moved beyond its street-level roots and went cosmic, following the trends of that time. One of the major developments in Peter Parker’s life is the introduction of the alien symbiote costume during the Secret Wars storyline, which would go on to have lasting consequences for the character and his mythology. Key creative runs by writers such as Roger Stern, Tom DeFalco, and David Michelinie, alongside artists including JR Jr. and Todd McFarlane.

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The Secret Wars!  A turning point in Marvel Comics history, the event brought together many of the Marvel Universe’s greatest heroes and villains in a conflict orchestrated by the mysterious and seemingly omnipotent Beyonder. For Spider-Man, the event became especially significant as Peter Parker acquired the black “Alien Costume,” a living symbiotic suit that would permanently alter the character’s mythology and eventually lead to the creation of Venom. You can learn more about its history, check out Marvel’s Secret Wars Explained: The Events That Changed Comics.

Following his return to Earth, Spider-Man continued using the black alien costume introduced during Secret Wars. This is a period now commonly known as the “Alien Costume Saga.”

  • Spider-Man: The Complete Alien Costume Saga Book One
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #252-258, Marvel Team-Up (1972) #141-145 and Annual #7, And Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #90-95.
  • Spider-Man: The Complete Alien Costume Saga Book Two
    Collects Marvel Team-Up (1972) #146-150, Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #96-100, Annual #4, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #259-263, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #1. (There is a bit of an overlap with the next book, should be fixed when Marvel collects this story in one Epic Collection.)
  • Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood
    Collects Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood #1-4. This anthology book was produced to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Black Suit. Each story is from a different creative team. They are short stories set at different times during that era. I placed it here in the guide for convenience, but you may want to read it later, as the first story is set at the beginning of Kraven’s Last Hunt. 
Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #266
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Launched in 1985, Web of Spider-Man replaced the long-running Marvel Team-Up series as Spider-Man’s third major ongoing title. Unlike its predecessor, which centered on rotating team-ups with other Marvel characters, Web of Spider-Man focused primarily on standalone and continuity-driven Spider-Man stories, further expanding the character’s growing publishing line during the 1980s. Marvel started reprinting them in the omnibus collection.

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As Spider-Man’s publishing line expanded across multiple ongoing series, increasing gaps began to appear between available collected editions for this period. Many of these stories, however, remain accessible in digital formats, which provide a more complete way to follow the continuity across the various titles.

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Secret Wars II Reading OrderSecret Wars II! The omnipotent Beyonder comes to Earth to continue his study of humanity. Amazing Spider-Man #268, #273-274, and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #111 are part of the Secret Wars II comics miniseries (see Reading Order of the event)

Peter and MJ get married in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21
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Venom makes his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #300, written by David Michelinie with art by Todd McFarlane. The character’s arrival establishes a major new presence in the series’ mythology and quickly occupies a notable space in both Spider-Man and wider Marvel continuity. Venom’s appearances can be followed in detail through our dedicated Venom Comics Reading Order.

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MARVEL MASTERWORKS: SPIDER-MAN COLLECTION part.2

Spider-Man got cloned! It’s the 1990s

Spider-Man remained one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters at the beginning of the 1990s, headlining several ongoing titles simultaneously, including The Amazing Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, and The Spectacular Spider-Man. During this period, Marvel further expanded the line with the launch of a fourth ongoing title, Spider-Man (1990), written and illustrated by Todd McFarlane following his run as an artist with David Michelinie on The Amazing Spider-Man. The era also marked a significant shift in Spider-Man’s mythology, with the continued rise of Venom, the introduction of Carnage, and more crossovers between the different Spider-Man titles.

Spider-Man (1990) #6
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Carnage Reading Order IconeSixty issues after the introduction of Venom, Spider-Man’s mythology expanded again with the debut of another symbiote antagonist: Carnage. First appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #361, written by David Michelinie with art by Mark Bagley, this offspring of the Venom symbiote bonded with serial killer Cletus Kasady. Carnage quickly became one of Spider-Man’s most dangerous enemies. His appearances can be followed in detail through a dedicated Carnage reading order.

  • The Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: The Hero Killers
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man #361-367, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #26, Amazing Spider-Man: Soul of the Hunter #1; material from Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12, Web of Spider-Man Annual #8, New Warriors Annual #2.

  • Infinity War Omnibus
    Collects Infinity War #1-6, Fantastic Four (1961) #366-370, Spider-Man (1990) #24, Deathlok (1991) #16, Daredevil (1964) #310, Warlock And The Infinity Watch 7-10, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme 42-47, Silver Surfer (1987) #67-69, Wonder Man (1991) #13-15, Alpha Flight (1983) #110-112, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack 4-5, Guardians Of The Galaxy (1990) #27-29, Quasar 37-40, New Warriors (1990) #27, Marc Spector: Moon Knight 41-44, Nomad (1992) #7, Sleepwalker 18, Material From Captain America (1968) #408, Alpha Flight (1983) #109, Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #108-112. See the Infinity Saga Reading Order for more information.
  • Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Invasion of the Spider-Slayers
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man #368-377; Amazing Spider-Man Annual #27; Spider-Man/Dr. Strange: The Way to Dusty Death; Spider-Man Special Edition: The Trial of Venom.
  • Spirits of Venom
    Collects Web of Spider-Man #95-96 and Ghost Rider Blaze Spirits of Vengeance #5-6.
  • Venom – Lethal Protector
    Collects Venom – Lethal Protector #1-6.

Spider-Man Unlimited #1
  • Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Maximum Carnage
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man #378-380; Web of Spider-Man #101-103; Spider-Man #35-37; Spectacular Spider-Man #201-203; Spider-Man/Punisher/Sabretooth: Designer Genes and material from Spider-Man Unlimited #1-2.

    • Infinity Crusade Omnibus
      Collects Infinity Crusade (1993) #1-6, Warlock Chronicles (1993) #1-5, Warlock And The Infinity Watch (1992) #18-22, Thor (1966) #463-467, Iron Man (1968) #294-295, Avengers West Coast (1989) #96-97, Darkhawk (1991) #30-31, Cage (1992) #17, Alpha Flight (1983) #124-125, 127, Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) #57, Silver Surfer (1987) #83-85, Deathlok (1991) #28, Material From Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #54-56, Alpha Flight (1983) #122-123, 126, Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #104-106, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack (1992) #16-17, Deathlok (1991) #29. See the Infinity Saga Reading Order for more information.
    • Web of Spider-Man #107-111 have not been collected yet.
    • Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #204-210, available in Spectacular Spider-Man by DeMatteis & Buscema Omnibus.
    • Spider-Man #38-44 are not collected yet.
  • Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Lifetheft 
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #381-393, Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1964) #28, Spider-Man (1990) #45, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #211, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #112, Amazing Spider-Man Ashcan Edition (1994) #1.

    • Web of Spider-Man #113-116 have not been collected yet.
    • Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #212-215, available in Spectacular Spider-Man by DeMatteis & Buscema Omnibus.
    • Spider-Man – The Arachnis Project #1-6 are not collected yet.
    • Spider-Man #46-50 are not collected yet.

Spider-Man: The Clone Saga in Order!

The 1990s saw the Death of Superman, Batman getting his back broken, and Spider-Man getting cloned. This Clone Saga was obviously not the first one, the concept was introduced in the 1970s, a period collected in The Amazing Spider-Man: The Original Clone Saga, but the 1994–1997 storyline expanded the idea into a massive crossover spanning every Spider-Man title. In fact, it was so big that readers just wanted it to end at some point.

Developed by writers and editors including Terry Kavanagh, J.M. DeMatteis, Howard Mackie, Tom DeFalco, Danny Fingeroth, and others, the saga revolved around Peter Parker confronting resurrected enemies, genetic experiments, and multiple clones connected to his past. One of the clones was Ben Reilly, who returned after years in exile and eventually became a star of the Spider-Man line for a while. But was Ben really a clone or was Peter??? 

The Clone Saga affected all the titles: The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, and The Spectacular Spider-Man, but also numerous limited series, one-shots, and crossover events published between 1994 and 1997. Initially conceived as a shorter storyline revisiting older continuity, it ultimately became one of the largest and most divisive publishing periods in Spider-Man history. If you want to know more about it (and the issue-by-issue reading order), you can go to our Spider-Man: Clone Saga Reading Order.

Spider-Man The Clone Journal

At that point, Peter Parker stepped away from his role as Spider-Man to begin a new life with Mary Jane Watson, who was then pregnant. With Peter retiring from superhero activity, Ben Reilly, who was previously fighting crime as the Scarlet Spider, assumed the mantle of Spider-Man, with a new costume and supporting cast.

Peter Parker’s Back in Action!

Even if the Clone Saga went on for much longer than anyone could have expected, Peter Parker was deemed to come back eventually. He has become Spider-Man again. We are in the second half of the 1990s, writers like J. M. DeMatteis, Tom DeFalco, Howard Mackie, and Todd Dezago, with artists such as Joe Bennett, Luke Ross, Steve Skroce, John Romita Jr., Mike Wieringo, and others, refocused on Peter Parker’s personal life, supporting cast, and rogues’ gallery, going back to a more conventional publishing approach. 

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A lot of comics from this era have not been properly collected yet. This will certainly be corrected when the Epic Collection reaches this less-talked-about period. In the meantime, some of the missing comics can be found in digital format:

  • The Sensational Spider-Man: The Savage Land Saga
    Collects The Sensational Spider-Man #13-15.
  • Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives
    Collects Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives #1-3, (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #259-261 to be read later).
  • X-Man: Dance with the Devil
    Collects X-Man #20-29 and Annual ’96, and Amazing Spider-Man #420.
  • Spider-Man #76-87, Annual 1997 have not been collected yet.
  • Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #242-250 have not been collected yet.
  • Spider-Man Unlimited #15-18 have not been collected yet.
  • Amazing Spider-Man #421-429 have not been collected yet.
  • Spider-Man By Todd Dezago and Mike Wieringo
    Collects The Sensational Spider-Man #7-24, -1.
  • Venom: Tooth And Claw
    Collects Venom: Tooth And Claw #1-3, Venom: On Trial #1-3, Venom: License To Kill #1-3, Venom: Seed Of Darkness #-1, Venom: Sign Of The Boss #1-2, Spider-Man: The Venom Agenda And Venom: The Finale #1-3.
  • Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #251-254 have not been collected yet.
  • Carnage Classic
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 361-363, 410, 430-431; Venom: Carnage Unleashed 1-4; Carnage: Mind Bomb; Carnage: It’s A Wonderful Life; Sensational Spider-Man (1996) 3; Spider-Man (1990) 67; Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) 233; Peter Parker: Spider-Man (1999) 13; Webspinners: Tales Of Spider-Man 13-14.
  • Spider-Man Spider Hunt
    Collects Sensational Spider-Man (1996) #25-26, Amazing Spider-Man #432-433, Spider-Man #88-90, and Spectacular Spider-Man #254-256.
  • Spider-Man: Identity Crisis
    Collects Spider-Man #91-92, Spectacular Spider-Man #257-258, Sensational Spider-Man #27-28, and Amazing Spider-Man #434-435.
  • Spider-Man Unlimited #19-21 have not been collected yet.
  • Sensational Spider-Man #29-31 have not been collected yet.
  • Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives
    Collects (Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives #1-3 to be read earlier), Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #259-261.
  • Amazing Spider-Man #436-439 have not been collected yet.
  • Spider-Man: The Gathering of Five
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man  #440-441, Spider-Man #96-98, Sensational Spider-Man #32-33, Spectacular Spider-Man #262-263.

The “New” Amazing Spider-Man

With issue #440, The Amazing Spider-Man concluded its first Volume before being immediately relaunched as a new volume, written by Howard Mackie with art by John Byrne. In parallel, the series Peter Parker: Spider-Man (originally launched simply as Spider-Man) was also written by Howard Mackie, but with John Romita Jr. handling artwork. The Sensational Spider-Man and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man had concluded, respectively, with issues #33 and #263.

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Following the concept of the Untold Tales of Spider-Man comics, Spider-Man: Webspinners told stories of Spider-Man set in the past, but at different times (not just at the beginning). Spider-Man’s Tangled Web was also an anthology revolving around Spider-Man, but it was contemporary, and Spidey was not always at the heart of the stories.

✨The Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski: From Coming Home to One More Day 

Starting with The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #30, J. Michael Straczynski became the main writer of the series, working with artist John Romita Jr., effectively defining Spider-Man’s direction for the early 2000s. His run is widely regarded as one of the most influential modern runs on the flagship Spider-Man series, though its later part was significantly derailed by Marvel Comics editorial, resulting in a controversial and widely debated conclusion. You can focus on Straczynski’s work if you only want the essentials. Go to our guide to read the Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski Reading Order for more information.

During this period, Spider-Man’s publishing line didn’t shrink, with multiple concurrent titles including Peter Parker: Spider-Man (later replaced by The Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 2), Spider-Man’s Tangled Web, and Venom, the latter of which occasionally connected with The Amazing Spider-Man.

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Marvel Comics has now launched a new Modern Era Epic Collection focusing on post-2000 comic books. It starts here, but the collection still has a long way to go, and it will take time to make it relevant to our reading order. Here are the available volumes:

Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #34

So, for a more detailed version of the listing of Straczynski’s Amazing Spider-Man comics in order, we are still mainly using the old collection for now:

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Marvel Knights Logo (Reading Order)Marvel Knights Spider-Man was meant to replace the cancelled Spider-Man’s Tangled Web. Sold as the Spidey series with a more mature tone, the series was initially done by Mark Millar and Terry Dodson. After the first year, Reginald Hudlin and Billy Tan took over. After 22 issues, when Marvel decided to redefine its Marvel Knights line, the series was renamed Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) with Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa as the main writer and multiple artists, including Clayton Crain and Angel Medina.

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Following the events of Avengers Disassembled, written by Brian Michael Bendis, the Avengers formally disbanded after a series of catastrophic internal crises that reshaped the team’s status quo (check the Avengers Disassembled Reading Order for more details). In the aftermath, Bendis relaunched the franchise with The New Avengers, introducing a rebuilt roster that included Spider-Man joining the team for the first time in a central Avengers role.

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House of M Reading OrderWe are beginning the era of almost continuous crossover events. House of M is the first, and you can check out our House of M Reading Order for greater context, but it’s not an important one for Spider-Man (unlike the next one!).

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Working as a spiritual replacement of The Spectacular Spider-Man, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man came from Peter David and Mike Wieringo. Launched with the crossover “The Other,” it tells stories parallel to the main series, notably dealing with the changes introduced during Civil War.

Civil War (2006) #2
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Civil War! Peter travels with Tony Stark to Washington, D.C., and the White House, where the enactment of the Super Hero Registration Act appears imminent. As the Marvel Comic Book Universe braces for the implications of legislation that will forever change the societal status of superheroes, Peter is forced to make an important personal decision, maybe the most important decision of his life. As Civil War tears apart the superhero community, will Spidey stay true to that decision? It’s time to check the guide to read the Civil War comics event in order.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day & The Gauntlet

Following the controversial events of One More Day, which concluded J. Michael Straczynski’s run on The Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Comics relaunched the entire Spider-Man line around a single flagship title. The Amazing Spider-Man was published three times per month, produced by a rotating team of writers and artists under a coordinated editorial approach. The relaunch began with the “Brand New Day” era, conceived as a back-to-basics reset that re-established Peter Parker as a younger, single, and more grounded character while introducing new supporting cast members and villains, paving the way for Dan Slott to emerge as the principal long-term writer of Spider-Man throughout the following decade.

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The Secret Invasion event took place at that time: a brutal battle between the New Avengers and the Hand, one that claimed the life of Elektra and revealed that she was a Skrull! It’s not a Spider-Man essential. Go check out our Secret Invasion Reading Order for more info.

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Dark ReignAfter Secret Invasion came the Dark Reign, a new “dark” era for the heroes of the Marvel Comics Universe. Dark Reign is not an event, but a thematic era (see this article to learn more about it). A new status quo, a bad one for the heroes but good for the Dark Avengers, Norman Osborn’s team! But despite being centered around Spidey’s old enemy, he is not too involved in the story.

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Marvel Siege LogoSiege! It’s the end of the Dark Reign Era. Coerced by Loki and on the brink of madness, Osborn, in his final bid to take total control, targets the final obstacle in his mission…Asgard. More with the reading order of the event. Not a major Spider-Man event.

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Daredevil Reading OrderNew York Event! In Shadowland, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Punisher, and more join forces to stop a war that is breaking out throughout New York, with Daredevil at the center. See the Shadowland Reading Order for more information.

The Amazing Spider-Man Comics by Dan Slott

After contributing to the rotating creative team during the “Brand New Day” initiative, Dan Slott became the sole writer of The Amazing Spider-Man with issue #648, launching the “Big Time” era alongside artist Humberto Ramos. This is the beginning of what became the longest continuous run by a writer in Spider-Man history. Over the course of his tenure, Slott introduced major additions to Spider-Man’s mythology, including new characters and concepts, significant updates to classic villains and supporting cast members, the multiversal “Spider-Verse” storyline, and the status quo-changing Superior Spider-Man, in which Doctor Octopus temporarily replaced Peter Parker as Spider-Man.

Slott remained the principal architect of the Spider-Man line until 2018, concluding his run with The Amazing Spider-Man #801. Despite leaving The Amazing Spider-Man, he later returned to write additional Spider-Man-related projects and further expansions of the Spider-Verse concept. More information about this period, including its many collected editions, can be found in our The Amazing Spider-Man by Dan Slott Reading Order

Amazing Spider-Man #660
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Spider-Man joined The Future Foundation (aka F4) just after #657 in Fantastic Four #588 & FF #1. This is Jonathan Hickman’s era (see our guide to the Fantastic Four comics by Jonathan Hickman for more information). Also, soon after, Spider-Man joined the Avengers and the New Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis! (You can follow the Avengers comics by Bendis in order here)

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Be afraid of Fear Itself! The entire planet has been seized by Fear, and only chaos reigns. The Serpent, Asgard’s most ancient evil, has awakened and is feeding off the fear of Earth’s populace. Don’t be afraid, the Fear Itself Reading Order is here. Spidey’s helping as an Avenger, but it’s not a major event for him.

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Welcome to Spider-Island! A big Spider-Man event is happening after a viral outbreak engineered by the Jackal grants spider-like abilities to a large portion of Manhattan’s population, but without his control or experience, chaos ensues! Just pick up the collected edition or go to our guide to read the Spider-Island comics event in order.

🕸️Writer Zeb Wells and artist Joe Madureira launched Avenging Spider-Man, a team-up series featuring Spider-Man alongside a rotating cast of Marvel heroes.

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The Avengers and the X-Men go to war in Avengers vs. X-Men! This 2012 crossover comics event involved the return of the Phoenix Force and the subsequent war between the Avengers and the X-Men. For a more comprehensive look at the event, go to the AvX reading order. Not a major Spider-Man event.

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Spider-Man Miles Morales Reading Order Icon 1Courtesy of Mysterio’s multiversal manipulation, the Marvel Universe’s Peter Parker encounters Miles Morales, the newly established Spider-Man of the Ultimate Universe, in the limited series Spider-Men, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Sara Pichelli.

Superior Spider-Man #2

The Superior Spider-Man Comics Era by Dan Slott

At this point, it is hardly a spoiler anymore: Spider-Man is no longer “Amazing,” but Superior. Following the conclusion of Dan Slott’s “Dying Wish” storyline, in issue #700, Peter Parker seemingly dies after Doctor Octopus transfers his mind into Peter’s body, leaving Otto Octavius in control as the new Spider-Man. Convinced he can become a better hero than Peter ever was, Otto adopts the identity of the “Superior Spider-Man,” and imposes his own approach to crime-fighting. If you are looking for a more focused look at this Superior version of Spidey (going beyond this era), check out our Superior Spider-Man Reading Order.

The Amazing Spider-Man is back in Action

Following the conclusion of the Superior Spider-Man era, The Amazing Spider-Man resumed with Peter Parker restored to his body and once again operating as Spider-Man. This period focused on rebuilding Peter’s life, but is also notable for the introduction of Cindy Moon, later known as Silk, a new spider-powered character connected to Peter Parker’s original radioactive spider origin, and who quickly became an important part of the expanding Spider-Man mythos. Most of all, this is when the famous Spider-Verse crossover event took place.

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Spider-Verse Reading Order IconIt’s time to enter the Spider-Verse! When the evil Inheritors begin exterminating spider characters throughout the multiverse, every single Spider-Man ever is needed to save the day! You can find a lot more information by reading all of the Spider-Verse comics in order. The event in itself has been collected in the Spider-Verse/Spider-Geddon Omnibus.

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Silk Reading Order LogoAfter being introduced on the road to the Spider-Verse event (her first appearance was in The Parker Luck), Cindy Moon (aka Silk) went on to have her own adventures in her ongoing comic book series featuring J. Jonah Jameson. You can learn more about her in our reading guide for the Silk Comics in order.

Amazing Spider-Man (2014) #15
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Secret Wars 2015In 2015, Marvel Comics published the Secret Wars event (check out the reading order here). Once it concluded, the Marvel Universe was relaunched. Just before that, Dan Slott wrote a new comic book series that didn’t take place in the regular Marvel Universe. In this story, Peter is still married to MJ, and they have a kid. 

The Amazing Spider-Man: Worldwide Comics by Dan Slott

The Amazing Spider-Man was relaunched once again as part of Marvel’s post-Secret Wars publishing initiative, ushering in the “Worldwide” era of Dan Slott’s run. In this new status quo, Peter Parker transformed Parker Industries into a global technology company with offices in cities such as New York, Shanghai, London, and San Francisco, while Spider-Man operated on an international scale alongside him as his public “bodyguard.” The series significantly expanded Spider-Man’s scope beyond his traditional street-level setting, introducing globe-spanning conflicts involving a revitalized Zodiac organization and other large-scale threats.

This period also coincided with the expansion of the wider Spider-Man line, including relaunches for Silk, Spider-Man 2099, and Spider-Woman, while Miles Morales was permanently integrated into the primary Earth-616 Marvel Universe. 

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Spider-Man Deadpool Reading Order IconA new team-up comics series was launched: Spider-Man/Deadpool. It wasn’t supposed to last long, but it was a success. In parallel to the main Amazing Spider-Man comics, Deadpool teamed up with his best friend Spidey for wonderful and colorful adventures, a title launched by Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness.

🕸️Mary-Jane started working for Tony Stark, and this led your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man to team up with Iron Man.

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Civil War IIIron Man vs Captain Marvel, it’s Civil War II! When a new Inhuman emerges with the ability to profile the future, Captain Marvel wants him to work with the Ultimates to preemptively tackle disasters before they happen, but Iron Man opposes the idea. Not a big event for Spidey,though. Check out our guide to read the Civil War II comics in order.

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Join the Clone Conspiracy! The Jackal has returned, more driven and determined than ever. He offered Spidey’s greatest rogues a chance to reunite with their loved ones in exchange for loyalty. But to what end? Find out by following our guide to read the Dead No More: Clone Conspiracy comics in order.

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A new Spectacular Spider-Man comic series written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Adam Kubert was launched. In this series, the relationship between Peter Parker and J.J. Jameson changed a lot, and it’s not really explained in Amazing Spider-Man. After 6 issues, the book adopted the legacy numbering, with issue #297.

The Amazing Spider-Man #28
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Secret Empire Icon 29The Secret Empire took over. The Cosmic Cube has remade Captain America into a secret true believer in the cause of Hydra! Now, using the trust and respect he’s been accorded by the great powers of the Marvel Universe, Steve Rogers makes Hydra’s ideals a reality! Our Secret Empire Reading Order will help you navigate the event that has a noticeable impact on Peter Parker’s life.

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The Spider-Man/Deadpool comics series is now available in the Modern Era Epic collection:

The Amazing Spider-Man by Nick Spencer in Order!

Once Dan Slott left The Amazing Spider-Man comics, it was Nick Spencer’s turn. The writer of the Superior Foes of Spider-Man comics (a recommended reading as Spencer has incorporated elements from it in his run) is offering a “Fresh Start” to Peter Parker, a clear entry point for new readers, as once again, Spidey must start anew. And if you only want Nick Spencer’s work from that era, check out The Amazing Spider-Man by Nick Spencer, a Fresh Start Reading Order.

Spider-Geddon #0-5
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After the Spider-Verse came Spider-Geddon. The Inheritors have escaped their radioactive prison planet and made their way to the Marvel Universe. As the villains draw first blood, a whole Spider-Army must reunite to keep them at bay! It’s more of a Miles Morales event than a Peter Parker event. As usual, check out our guide to reading the Spider-Man Spider-Geddon comics in order for the details, but everything has been collected in the Spider-Verse/Spider-Geddon Omnibus.

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War of Realms Logo 72War of Realms! The Dark Elf known as Malekith the Accursed has been conquering the Ten Realms one by one until there is only one left: Midgard (Earth!). Not a big event for Spider-Man, but he fought for New York, as usual. For more information, we have a War Of Realms Comics Reading Order for you to check out.

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Carnage Reading Order IconeThis is when the Absolute Carnage comic book event takes place. It is more of a Venom event than a Spider-Man one, but Spidey did participate. You can find the tie-ins to the events in the next TPBs.

Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #52
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Event Alert! Not a company-wide event, just a spidey one called Last Remains, and you can check out our article about this comics event to find out more about it. Kindred, the mystery villain plaguing Peter Parker’s life from the shadows, is stepping out on stage for the first time … and Spider-Man is not ready for the havoc that will result.

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Venom Icon - Venom Reading OrderKing in Black! The sequel to Absolute Carnage. Knull, the god of the symbiotes, is finally coming to conquer Earth with an army of thousands of symbiote dragons at his beck and call. Of course, Earth’s heroes will fight back. It’s not an important event for Spidey; he is barely in it, but it has some consequences for characters related to him. Check out our guide to reading the King in Black comics in order.

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It’s the Sinister War! Doctor Octopus is back with a plan, and old allies are now enemies. Spider-Man has to stop the Sinister War! For more information, we have a guide to reading the Sinister War comics in order.

Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #89

The Spider-Man: Beyond Interlude

Once Nick Spencer left the book, Marvel Comics decided to recruit multiple writers and artists—like during the Big Time period—to launch a weekly comic book subtitled “beyond.” You can learn more about it with our Amazing Spider-Man Beyond Reading Order.

  • Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond Omnibus
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #75-93, 78.BEY, 80. BEY, 88. BEY, 92. BEY, 74 (Ben Reilly Story); Free Comic Book Day 2021: Spider-Man/Venom #1 (Spider-Man Story); Mary Jane & Black Cat: Beyond (2022) #1.

The Amazing Spider-Man Comics by Zeb Wells & John Romita Jr. in Order!

One of the Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond writers was destined to become the new main writer of the Amazing Spider-Man comics. The winner was Zeb Wells who teamed up with returning artist John Romita Jr. Also, it’s time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Spider-Man’s comic book!

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The Dark Web!!! Ben Reilly and Madelyne Pryor have had enough, and they’re reigniting the Inferno! As Chasm and the Goblin Queen spin their dark web over New York City, Spider-Man and the X-Men are not ready for what’s coming! The whole event is now collected in an omnibus, but you can still visit our guide to reading the Dark Web comics in order for more details.

🕸️Dan Slott is again writing Spider-Man stories, but not on the Amazing Spider-Man. He writes the new “Spider-Man” series, a new Superior Spider-Man series, but also spin-offs like Spider-Boy.

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Spider-Boy is its own thing (Dan Slott’s thing). Peter Parker appears in the series, but the Spider-Boy comics are not connected to the Amazing Spider-Man comics series. The next books will not be added to this reading order unless the Little Spider hero joins the big one for a crossover.

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Gang War!!!  New York City’s super-crime landscape has been a ticking time bomb, and now it has finally exploded! As NYC becomes an open battlefield for a ruthless supervillain conflict, the wall-crawler will need an amazing team. The whole event is now collected in an omnibus, but you can still visit our Spider-Man: Gang War Reading Order for more details.

Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #46
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With issue #49 of Amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker joined Marvel’s Blood Hunt as one of the heroes trying to stop the vampire invasion in New York. He teams up with Misty Knight and The Lizard to track down Morbius, the Living Vampire! You can stick with the next paperback, but if you want to read the event, I invite you to check out our Blood Hunt Reading Order.

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It’s the Venom War! Eddie Brock and his son Dylan are fighting over Venom, and Symbiotes are taking over the City. This time, Peter Parker is a bit more involved as the Venom symbiote comes to ask him for help. Spider-Man appeared in the main book and has a short tie-in series. MJ is also caught up in the fight. Check out our guide to know how to read the Venom War in order.

The Amazing Spider-Man Comics by Joe Kelly in Order!

Writer Joe Kelly and artist Ed McGuinness took over the series for a story arc titled “The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man,” in which Doctor Doom, now the Sorcerer Supreme (read Blood Hunt to know about that), gives Spider-Man a magic-powered suit and eight extra lives to help him save the world. This led to the One World Under Doom event, but that event barely concerned Spidey at all.

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Following the 8 Deaths of Spider-Man, Joe Kelly really launched his run with a new number 1 issue, now with artist Pepe Larraz. Once again, Peter is looking for a new job, but he still has to save New York.

Did we forget an important issue? Did we make a mistake? Let us know in the comments!

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21 thoughts on “Spider-Man Reading Order, The Complete and Amazing Adventures of Peter Parker”

    1. Fabien
      Reply

      As you may have noticed, we are not building our Reading Orders on single issues, but on collected editions. We usually update those guides a few times a year to add the most recent collections published. If one of the last books is not yet present in the guide, it’s because it’s not available for now or we haven’t had the time to update. But as it is the last one, all you have to do is read it last. If you’re into spider-boy, his first appearance will be available in TPB mid-November.

  4. James
    Reply

    Missing: Peter Parker Spider-Man Vol. 1: A Day in the Life which collects Peter Parker: Spider-Man #’s 20-22, 26 and Webspinners #10-12. These stories happen right after Spider-Man: The Next Chapter Vol. 3

    1. Fabien
      Reply

      Yes, what a strange occurence. It used to be there, but I probably deleted it by accident when I did an update. Anyhow, I put the Civir war section back in! Have a good read!

  9. DieAngst
    Reply

    I can’t seem to place where Infinity Abyss fits so that I can place The Evil That Men Do in a near proper place. I know I’ve seen it elsewhere but neither the Avengers, X-Men, Cosmic, Inhumans, and Thanos give a clear indication of where it might fit best among the major events. Please help?

    1. Fabien
      Reply

      I don’t think you’ll find someone who’d call Infinity Abyss a Major Events. Personally, I didn’t even remember it existed until I read your comments, so I will not be able to help you here. It’s a Thanos series by Jim Starlin, not sure it had any impact on the other characters. Back in 2002, there were a lot less events and other crossovers and attention on immediate continuity–not that they do a good job with that now. Good luck to you.

  11. Thepersonofalltime
    Reply

    Ngl stuff after gang war has been boring asf fr like all we’re getting is some “EAsY BEinG GREen” arc shit which only two issues in to the arc is already boring norman ISINT even the green goblin in it

    1. Fabien
      Reply

      Like a lot of stories from that time, some are just comebacks of regular foes but with a new energy (Romita did things diffrently from Ditko), but this volume adds to the relationship between Doc Ock and Aunt May (the first 4-issues are Spidey vs Doc Ock, classic stuff), and there’s the introduction of Captain Stacy, and a bit of notable developments in the Goblin/Norman Osborn saga. Overall, it was Stan Lee and John Romita Sr doing pretty good things. I think it’s not one to skip.

  15. Niko
    Reply

    Hi there! Are ASM issues 282-288 collected anywhere? It seems to jump straight from vs. Silver Sable to #289, so it’s a little confusing to follow.

    1. Fabien
      Reply

      ASM #282 is collected in X-Factor Epic Collection: Genesis & Apocalypse, but the ASM #283 to #288 (aka the original Gang War storyline) have not been collected for now. This will change soon I guess. We should find them in the next volume of the Marvel Masterworks and in volume 16 of the Epic Collection, but not date has been announced for either of those books.

  17. Dylan Hall
    Reply

    Would the Zdarsky Spectacular run be structured differently? Issues 297-307 are one continuous narrative, with no real time for breaks. The trades collected that arc poorly. They even put the annual in the wrong volume (before that arc ended).

    1. Carole
      Reply

      Hey Dylan,

      Thanks for your comment! I take a look at the run (it’s been a long time since I read it). So I opted to move Spectacular Volume 4 with the two previous volumes, but put a note to tell reading the last issues later. I placed them (with the annual) after the end of Dan Slott’s run. I know it was published at the start of Fresh Start, but I’m pretty sure it can be read here (if not, tell me!).

      I don’t like it when we have to put a trade on hold, but interrupting a story arc is no better, so hopefully this is better!

      1. Dylan Hall
        Reply

        I think that works well! As long as the Jonah interview happens before the end of Slott’s run, I think that new order works! I know Slott referenced that too.

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