The 25 Most Amazing Spider-Man Covers Ever

By Tim Leong
July 06, 2017 at 10:30 AM EDT

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The Best of the Web (Slinger)

Marvel Comics; Illustration by Tim Leong for EW

From Venom's first appearance to the arrival of the Punisher, we look back at the web-slinger's most THWIP-worthy covers.

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Amazing Spider-Man #300

Marvel Comics

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.

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Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #5

Marvel Comics

Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2013

Claw machine + Doctor Octopus’ tentacles? Genius.

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Amazing Spider-Man #316

Marvel Comics

Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1989

Venom is back, and badder than ever. That blood dripping from his hand says it all.

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Marvel Super-Heroes: Secret Wars #8

Marvel Comics

Artist: Mike Zeck, 1984

The introduction of the black suit contrasted against that poppy background is 100.

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Amazing Spider-Man #39

Marvel Comics

Artist: Steve Ditko, 1966

A visual callback to Amazing Fantasy #15, except it’s Peter Parker being dragged through the air.

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Amazing Spider-Man #129

Marvel Comics

Artist: Gil Kane, 1974

This cover is the first appearance of the Punisher and it is completely on target.

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Amazing Spider-Man #50

Marvel Comics

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?

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Marvels #4

Marvel Comics

Artist: Alex Ross, 1994

This zoomed-in view of Spider-Man’s eye is as gorgeous as it is refreshing.

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Amazing Spider-Man #578

Marvel Comics

Artist: Marcos Martin, 2009

A hat tip to Amazing Spider-Man #33

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Amazing Spider-Man #238

Marvel Comics

Artist: John Romita Jr., 1983

Hobgoblin is ripped!

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Amazing Spider-Man #700

Marvel Comics

Artist: Pacal Garcin, 2013

Artist Garcin recreates Spider-Man’s iconic eye in a collage featuring hundreds of web-slingers.

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Amazing Spider-Man #641

Marvel Comics

Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2010

A cover that is mostly blue telegraphs a fittingly sad story inside.

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Ultimate Spider-Man #100

Marvel Comics

Artist: Mark Bagley, 2006

The more Spideys, the better. And with deft palette choices the 100 really pops.

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Amazing Spider-Man #131

Marvel Comics

Artist: Gil Kane, 1974

I do.

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Amazing Spider-Man #600

Marvel Comics

Artist: Alex Ross, 2009

The only thing more ominous than this web of tentacles is the red hue blanketing the cover.

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Spectacular Spider-Man #2

Marvel Comics

Artist: John Romita Sr., 1968

This painting is magic.

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Amazing Spider-Man #665

Marvel Comics

Artist: Paolo Rivera, 2011

Such a simple idea with such a, ahem, marquee execution.

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Amazing Spider-Man #70

Marvel Comics

Artist: John Romita Sr., 1969

Follow the yellow brick wall for this standoff with the police.

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Web of Spider-Man #1

Marvel Comics

Artist: Charles Vess, 1985

A rare gothic edge from the renowned fantasy painter.

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Amazing Fantasy #15

Marvel Comics

Artist: Jack Kirby, 1962

They couldn’t have done Spider-Man’s first appearance any better. Plus, Kirby goon-face.

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Amazing Spider-Man #33

Marvel Comics

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.

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Amazing Spider-Man #313

Marvel Comics

Artist: Todd McFarlane, 1989

When Kanye said “I only like green faces” (Who Gon Stop Me), he clearly hadn’t read this issue.

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Web of Spider-Man #32

Marvel Comics

Artist: Mike Zeck, 1987

The use of perspective has the tombstone towering over Spider-Man as he pulls himself up from the mud.

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Spectacular Spider-Man #101

Marvel Comics

Artist: John Byrne, 1985

No color? No problem.

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Spider-Man #1

Marvel Comics

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.

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By Tim Leong