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From Venom’s first appearance to the arrival of the Punisher, we look back at the web-slinger’s most THWIP-worthy covers.
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1988
The repeating 300 is a striking visual with one of the best covers of Spider-Man in the black costume – which makes sense because this issue also has Venom’s first full appearance.
Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2013
Claw machine + Doctor Octopus’ tentacles? Genius.
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1989
Venom is back, and badder than ever. That blood dripping from his hand says it all.
Artist: Mike Zeck, 1984
The introduction of the black suit contrasted against that poppy background is 100.
Artist: Steve Ditko, 1966
A visual callback to Amazing Fantasy #15, except it’s Peter Parker being dragged through the air.
Artist: Gil Kane, 1974
This cover is the first appearance of the Punisher and it is completely on target.
Artist: John Romita Sr., 1967
One of the most iconic Spider-Man covers of all time. I can’t tell who looks more sad — Peter or Spider-Man?
Artist: Alex Ross, 1994
This zoomed-in view of Spider-Man’s eye is as gorgeous as it is refreshing.
Artist: Marcos Martin, 2009
A hat tip to Amazing Spider-Man #33
Artist: John Romita Jr., 1983
Hobgoblin is ripped!
Artist: Pacal Garcin, 2013
Artist Garcin recreates Spider-Man’s iconic eye in a collage featuring hundreds of web-slingers.
Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2010
A cover that is mostly blue telegraphs a fittingly sad story inside.
Artist: Mark Bagley, 2006
The more Spideys, the better. And with deft palette choices the 100 really pops.
Artist: Gil Kane, 1974
I do.
Artist: Alex Ross, 2009
The only thing more ominous than this web of tentacles is the red hue blanketing the cover.
Artist: John Romita Sr., 1968
This painting is magic.
Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2011
Such a simple idea with such a, ahem, marquee execution.
Artist: John Romita Sr., 1969
Follow the yellow brick wall for this standoff with the police.
Artist: Charles Vess, 1985
A rare gothic edge from the renowned fantasy painter.
Artist: Jack Kirby, 1962
They couldn’t have done Spider-Man’s first appearance any better. Plus, Kirby goon-face.
Artist: Steve Ditko, 1966
By just using the whites of his eyes you can see how defeated Spidey looks. A great example of Ditko’s mastery.
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1989
When Kanye said “I only like green faces” (Who Gon Stop Me), he clearly hadn’t read this issue.
Artist: Mike Zeck, 1987
The use of perspective has the tombstone towering over Spider-Man as he pulls himself up from the mud.
Artist: John Byrne, 1985
No color? No problem.
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1990
Forget the fact that this cover sold millions (!) of copies. Forget that it helped launch the polybag/variant trend for speculators. Forget the fact that Todd McFarlane’s work on this issue (he also wrote it) helped signal a power shift to creators that is still happening today. This cover is just cool.
The Best of the Web (Slinger)
From Venom’s first appearance to the arrival of the Punisher, we look back at the web-slinger’s most THWIP-worthy covers.
Amazing Spider-Man #300
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1988
The repeating 300 is a striking visual with one of the best covers of Spider-Man in the black costume – which makes sense because this issue also has Venom’s first full appearance.
Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #5
Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2013
Claw machine + Doctor Octopus’ tentacles? Genius.
Amazing Spider-Man #316
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1989
Venom is back, and badder than ever. That blood dripping from his hand says it all.
Marvel Super-Heroes: Secret Wars #8
Artist: Mike Zeck, 1984
The introduction of the black suit contrasted against that poppy background is 100.
Amazing Spider-Man #39
Artist: Steve Ditko, 1966
A visual callback to Amazing Fantasy #15, except it’s Peter Parker being dragged through the air.
Amazing Spider-Man #129
Artist: Gil Kane, 1974
This cover is the first appearance of the Punisher and it is completely on target.
Amazing Spider-Man #50
Artist: John Romita Sr., 1967
One of the most iconic Spider-Man covers of all time. I can’t tell who looks more sad — Peter or Spider-Man?
Marvels #4
Artist: Alex Ross, 1994
This zoomed-in view of Spider-Man’s eye is as gorgeous as it is refreshing.
Amazing Spider-Man #700
Artist: Pacal Garcin, 2013
Artist Garcin recreates Spider-Man’s iconic eye in a collage featuring hundreds of web-slingers.
Amazing Spider-Man #641
Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2010
A cover that is mostly blue telegraphs a fittingly sad story inside.
Ultimate Spider-Man #100
Artist: Mark Bagley, 2006
The more Spideys, the better. And with deft palette choices the 100 really pops.
Amazing Spider-Man #600
Artist: Alex Ross, 2009
The only thing more ominous than this web of tentacles is the red hue blanketing the cover.
Amazing Spider-Man #665
Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2011
Such a simple idea with such a, ahem, marquee execution.
Amazing Spider-Man #70
Artist: John Romita Sr., 1969
Follow the yellow brick wall for this standoff with the police.
Web of Spider-Man #1
Artist: Charles Vess, 1985
A rare gothic edge from the renowned fantasy painter.
Amazing Fantasy #15
Artist: Jack Kirby, 1962
They couldn’t have done Spider-Man’s first appearance any better. Plus, Kirby goon-face.
Amazing Spider-Man #33
Artist: Steve Ditko, 1966
By just using the whites of his eyes you can see how defeated Spidey looks. A great example of Ditko’s mastery.
Amazing Spider-Man #313
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1989
When Kanye said “I only like green faces” (Who Gon Stop Me), he clearly hadn’t read this issue.
Web of Spider-Man #32
Artist: Mike Zeck, 1987
The use of perspective has the tombstone towering over Spider-Man as he pulls himself up from the mud.
Spider-Man #1
Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1990
Forget the fact that this cover sold millions (!) of copies. Forget that it helped launch the polybag/variant trend for speculators. Forget the fact that Todd McFarlane’s work on this issue (he also wrote it) helped signal a power shift to creators that is still happening today. This cover is just cool.
