The History of Spider-Man: 1978

For over 50 years, Spider-Man has been a sensational standout in the Marvel Universe, and this summer, 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 continuing his battle with Razorback in PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #14 and wrapping it up with the final defeat of the Hate-Monger in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #15, our worn-out webbed wonder plunged into an encounter with a returning Green Goblin in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #176.

While Aunt May lay in a hospital following a heart attack, Spider-Man discovered a war between the Goblin and crime boss Silvermane in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #177, which escalated in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #178 to the point that Peter Parker couldn’t sign the permission papers for his aunt’s much-needed surgery. May finally stabilized in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #179, but when Spidey saw Harry Osborn kidnapped by the Goblin, he knew his friend’s sanity remained intact. In fact, Harry became instrumental in bringing down the new Green Goblin in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #180 and helped reveal him as Dr. Bart Hamilton, his own psychiatrist.

The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #177

• Published: February 10, 1978
• Added to Marvel Unlimited: September 17, 2008
• Penciller: Ross Andru
• Cover Artist: Ross Andru

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Peter flew to England in MARVEL TEAM-UP #65 and upon meeting Captain Britain, fell into Arcade’s Murder World with the local hero in MARVEL TEAM-UP #66. The webslinger battled the Beetle in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #16, and helped the Angel free his friend Iceman from brainwashing in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #17 and SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #18.

Kraven the Hunter used Tigra to attack Spidey in MARVEL TEAM-UP #67, and later Peter returned the Man-Thing to the Florida swamps in MARVEL TEAM-UP #68. The mutant Havok tried to contain the Living Pharaoh in MARVEL TEAM-UP #69, but the moldy mummy reinvented himself as the Living Monolith in MARVEL TEAM-UP #70 before being knocked down a peg or four by Thor and Spider-Man.

Marvel Team-Up (1972) #67

• Published: March 10, 1978
• Added to Marvel Unlimited: May 06, 2015
• Writer: Chris Claremont
• Penciler: John Byrne

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What is Marvel Unlimited?

Refreshed in his mission after visiting the grave of his Uncle Ben in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #181, the wallcrawler suffered the return of the Rocket Racer in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #182, as well as the arrival of Big Wheel in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #183. Lightmaster hired the Enforcers to take down our hero in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #19, but the timely intervention of the White Tiger punched out his lights in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #20. Later, Spidey teamed with the Falcon in MARVEL TEAM-UP #71, Iron Man in MARVEL TEAM-UP #72, and with the infamous non-team in DEFENDERS #61.

Spidey battled new menace the White Dragon in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #184 before the monumental moment of his graduation from college in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #185. Feeling on top of the world, he received news of being cleared of all suspicion of crimes by the District Attorney in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #186. The Scorpion wanted revenge on J. Jonah Jameson in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #21, and the webslinger lent a hand to Daredevil in MARVEL TEAM-UP #73, as well as the cast of a certain Saturday late-night comedy show in MARVEL TEAM-UP #74.

The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #185

• Published: October 10, 1978
• Added to Marvel Unlimited: May 26, 2014
• Penciller: Ross Andru
• Cover Artist: Ross Andru

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What is Marvel Unlimited?

Following a battle with Electro in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #187 and the Rat Pack in MARVEL TEAM-UP #75, Spidey slugged it out with the Maggia at the side of Moon Knight in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #22, and fought Cyclone in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #23. Doctor Strange came calling in MARVEL TEAM-UP #76 and though our young hero escaped the clutches of the Hypno-Hustler in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #24, he still failed to free himself from the advance of the Masked Marauder and the Tri-Man in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #25.