Spider-Man Chronology ’87-’89: Indispensable Spider-Man Pt 8

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Welcome back to our stroll down memory lane of Peter Parker’s most important life events.  Our “Indispensable Spider-Man” series is a number of lists that contain the essential issues to read, from the beginning, to get the full Spider-Man experience while not reading too much of the filler that’s out there.

A new installment comes every Friday, and today we tackle the end run of the Copper Age, which features oh so many changes to the Spider-Man chronology status quo (hence the Bowie reference at the beginning of the article).

Before we get down to the details:

  • What are considered the best issues in the main Spider-Man chronology are central
  • Storylines that include an important change in status quo are also central
  • Very important issues are marked with two asterisks (**), while issues that are part of those storylines, without the major event, are also included and marked with a diminutive one asterisk (*). Search for “**” in this below to further pare down the list.

Spider-Man Chronology from 1987-1989 : What You Need To Know

What makes the cut of the indispensable 1987-1989 Spider-Man Chronology

There are a lot good issues during this run.  Many of them contain a lot of changes to the status quo, and many are considered some of the best, or THE best, stories in the Spider-Man chronology.  Some of them are both.  This is perhaps the era in the Spider-Man chronology where the number of essential issues are the most dense when compared to the filler (with the exception of the single-title Stan Lee era).  Kraven’s Last Hunt, Peter gets married, Inferno and the Lobo Brothers Gang War are just some of the stories that make the cut.

Creators of the 1987-1989 Spider-Man Chronology era

Michelinie gets the writer’s gig over in Amazing and immediately, and some might say masterfully, pens the Wedding story, along with Romita Jr.  This marks the beginning of this portion of the Spider-Man chronology.  Soon after Todd McFarlane makes his debut on Amazing.  Then, Zeck and DeMatteis do their Kraven’s Last Hunt crossover.

Over in Spectacular, Peter David finishes his run and passes on the title to Gerry Conway, who both get to work with Sal Buscema on art.  Conway also pens many Web of Spider-Man issues with long-time Spider-Man artist Alex Saviuk.

Titles of the 1987-1980 Spider-Man Chronology era

Three titles continue to span this Spider-Man Chronology: Amazing Spider-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man and Web of Spider-Man.

Events of the 1987-1989 Spider-Man Chronology era

Here are the most important events in this era of the Spider-Man chronology:

  • Peter propose to Mary Jane, they get married
  • Spider-Man gets beaten and buried alive by Kraven (which culminates with a surprise ending)
  • Doc Ock develops and conquers arachnaphobia
  • The Sin-Eater is released from jail
  • Peter and MJ move out of their Chelsea apartment and into Bedford Towers
  • Venom makes his first appearance
  • Tombstone appears, leading Robertson eventually going to jail
  • MJ gets kidnapped by Caesar
  • Gwen Stacy clone revealed to be Joyce Delaney, and not really a clone
  • Harry Osborn becomes the Green Goblin during Inferno, fights alongside Spider-Man as “Good Guy”
  • Malcolm McBride becomes Carrion
  • Jonah is replaced by Chameleon
  • Peter and MJ get evicted from Bedford Towers an move into an apartment in SoHo.
  • Puma buy the Daily Bugle

Collections of the 1987-1989 Spider-Man Chronology era

Here are some good collected editions containing some of the best stories of this Spider-man chronology era:

Spider-Man Chronology

Various Trade Paperbacks
The Amazing Spider-Man: The Wedding
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt
Amazing Spider-Man by McFarlane & Michelinie HC
Spider-Man: Birth of Venom

The Indispensable Spider-Man Chronology Master List

OrderYearAgeIssueCreatorsDetails**
289.041987CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #127 BUY Kaminski, KupperbergLizard*
290.011987CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #290 BUY Michelinie, Romita JrBest! The Wedding!, Spider-Slayer, Peter Proposes again**
291.011987CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #291 BUY Michelinie, Romita JrBest! The Wedding!, Spider-Slayer**
292.011987CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #292 BUY Michelinie, SaviukBest! The Wedding!, Spider-Slayer**
292.021987CopperAmazing Spider-Man Annual #21 BUY MichelinieBest! The Wedding!, Electro**
292.041987CopperWeb of Spider-Man #31 BUY ES-W2 DeMatteis, ZeckBest! Kraven's Last Hunt, Revealed! Kraven buries Spider-Man, Vermin**
293.011987CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #293 BUY DeMatteis, ZeckBest! Kraven's Last Hunt**
293.021987CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #131 BUY ES-W2 DeMatteis, ZeckBest! Kraven's Last Hunt, Vermin**
293.031987CopperWeb of Spider-Man #32 BUY ES-W2 DeMatteis, ZeckBest! Kraven's Last Hunt, Vermin**
294.011987CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #294 BUY DeMatteis, ZeckBest! Kraven's Last Hunt**
294.021987CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #132 BUY ES-W2 DeMatteis, ZeckBest! Kraven's Last Hunt, Vermin**
296.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #296 BUY Michelinie, SaviukDoc Ock fears Spider-Man*
297.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #297 BUY Michelinie, SaviukDoc Ock conquers fear*
297.041988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #134 BUY David, Sal BuscemaBest! Return of the Sin-Eater, Electro**
297.051988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #135 BUY David, Sal BuscemaBest! Return of the Sin-Eater, Electro**
297.061988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #136 BUY David, Sal BuscemaBest! Return of the Sin-Eater, Electro**
297.091988CopperWeb of Spider-Man #38 BUY Nicieza, SaviukHobgoblin II, Peter and MJ decide to move out of Chelsea apartment*
298.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #298 BUY Michelinie, McFarlane*
299.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #299 BUY Michelinie, McFarlane1st Venom (Cameo)**
300.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #300 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneBest! 1st Venom, Revealed! Symbiote "tells" Eddie**
303.021988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #139 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaTombstone origin**
303.031988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #140 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaTombstone, Punisher**
303.041988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #141 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaTombstone, Punisher**
303.051988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #142 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaTombstone, Punisher**
304.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #304 BUY Michelinie, McFarlane*
305.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #305 BUY Michelinie, McFarlane*
307.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #307 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneMJ Kidnapped, Chameleon**
308.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #308 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneMJ Kidnapped, Black Cat**
309.011988CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #309 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneMJ Kidnapped**
309.031988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #143 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War, Tombstone, Punisher*
309.071988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man Annual #8 BUY Conway, BagleyEvolutionary War, Gwen Stacy Clone Revealed as Delaney**
309.081988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #144 BUY Conway, Sal Buscema*
309.091988CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #145 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War*
311.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #311 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneInferno, Mysterio*
311.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #146 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaInferno, Green Goblin II, Hobgoblin II**
311.031989CopperWeb of Spider-Man #47 BUY Conway, SaviukInferno, Green Goblin II, Hobgoblin II**
312.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #312 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneInferno, Green Goblin II, Hobgoblin II**
312.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #147 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaInferno, Green Goblin II, Hobgoblin II**
312.031989CopperWeb of Spider-Man #48 BUY Conway, SaviukInferno, Green Goblin II, Hobgoblin II**
313.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #313 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneInferno, Lizard*
313.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #148 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaInferno*
314.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #314 BUY Michelinie, McFarlane*
314.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #149 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War, McBride becomes Carrion, Tombstone**
314.031989CopperWeb of Spider-Man #50 BUY Conway, SaviukLobo Brothers Gang War, Sandman, Puma, Jameson replaced by Chameleon**
315.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #150 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War, Kingpin, Tombstone, Chameleon, Robertson goes to Jail*
315.031989CopperWeb of Spider-Man #51 BUY Conway, BagleyLobo Brothers Gang War, Chameleon*
316.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #316 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneBlack Cat, Venom*
317.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #317 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneVenom*
317.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #151 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War, Tombstone, Chameleon*
317.031989CopperWeb of Spider-Man #52 BUY Conway, SpringerLobo Brothers Gang War, Chameleon*
319.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #152 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War, Tombstone*
319.031989CopperWeb of Spider-Man #53 BUY Conway, BagleyLobo Brothers Gang War, Chameleon, Kingpin**
319.041989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #153 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War, Tombstone, Chameleon**
319.051989CopperWeb of Spider-Man #54 BUY Conway, SaviukLobo Brothers Gang War, Chameleon, Kingpin**
320.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #320 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneThe Assassin Nation Plot*
320.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #154 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaLobo Brothers Gang War, Chameleon*
320.031988CopperWeb of Spider-Man #55 BUY Conway, SaviukLobo Brothers Gang War, Chameleon, Kingpin**
321.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #321 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneThe Assassin Nation Plot, Peter and MJ move into SoHo Osborn loft**
322.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #322 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneThe Assassin Nation Plot**
323.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #323 BUY Michelinie, McFarlaneThe Assassin Nation Plot*
324.011989CopperAmazing Spider-Man 1st series #324 BUY Michelinie, LarsenThe Assassin Nation Plot*
325.021989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #155 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaBlack Cat, Tombstone*
325.031989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #156 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaBlack Cat, Puma buys Daily Bugle*
325.071989CopperSpectacular Spider-Man #157 BUY Conway, Sal BuscemaElectro, Shocker, Tombstone, Chameleon**

Please, help us make this list better by contributing your thoughts on what should be included. We would love to pared own this list even further, though we don’t want you to miss out on some great runs. Drop us a line in the comments for changes to this Spider-Man Chronology, which will be reflected in our larger Spider-Man Chronology list here:

Click Here For the complete Spider-Man Chronology

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