Amazing Spider-Man by Nick Spencer is the fifth volume of Amazing Spider-Man (ASM). This series was relaunched with the intention of returning Spider-Man to his basics. This meant going back to college, losing his job (so now he is broke), and operating as an individual superhero instead of a member of a team like the Avengers.
Amazing Spider-Man by Nick Spencer Reading Order
The issues in this reading order are part of the fifth volume of the series, Amazing Spider-Man (2018). There are several tie-in issues that complement each story line. Read each tie-in issue after the main issue. (16, then 16.HU, and so on).
Back to Basics
Free Comic Book Day 2018 (Amazing Spider-Man/Guardians of the Galaxy) #1
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #1-5
The first story in Nick Spencer’s run sets up the status quo for the entire series. It’s very text-heavy, which is used to catch the reader up on roughly five decades of Spider-Man stories. If you can power through the text, you’ll find an enjoyable, quirky story.
Friends and Foes
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #6-10
In this arc, we get to see Spider-Man team up with career criminals Boomerang and the Black Cat. It’s a fun arc that also sets up the upcoming Black Cat series.
Lifetime Achievement
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #11-15
This was the first arc I read by Nick Spencer. It’s a fun story where Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson are trapped by an unknown villain and must power their way through threats from their past.
Hunted
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #16.HU
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #17-18
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #18.HU
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #19.HU
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #20.HU
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #21-23
In this storyline, Kraven the Hunter returns for a major attack against Spider-Man. First he kidnaps all animal-themed villains and places them in a game preserve in Central Park. Then, he hires other hunters to hunt them down. Spider-Man finds himself having to save the villains and also face Kraven for one final battle. This arc is heavily inspired by Kraven’s Last Hunt.
Behind the Scenes
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #24-29
This arc feels more of a filler arc, but we do get to see Mary Jane save the day. It also helps lead into the Amazing Mary Jane solo series!
Absolute Carnage
Red Goblin: Red Death #1 (flashback)
Free Comic Book Day 2019 (Spider-Man/Venom) #1
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #30-31
Absolute Carnage #1-5 forms part of Donny Cates’ Venom run. It’s important to read these issues because our Spider-Man story ties into the Absolute Carnage event, while revealing an important plot point in Nick Spencer’s run. While the Nick Spencer run is goofy and fun, Absolute Carnage is very dark and gory, so young children should skip these issues.
2099
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #32-35
In this arc, Miguel O’Hara, the Spider-Man of 2099, arrives in the present and recruits Spider-Man’s help to save his timeline. I recommend you read the 2099 tie-in issues. Otherwise, the main Spider-Man issues will just seem confusing and not well thought out.
Amazing Mary Jane
This is not part of Nick Spencer’s run, but it follows the adventures of Mary Jane, who temporarily moved to California to film a movie. Her plot here will eventually play a role in the climax of Spencer’s run, so while not a required story, I recommend you read it.
Threats and Menaces
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #37-43
From this point on, the quality of the stories start to fade as we begin to focus on the storyline’s main antagonist, Kindred. In this arc, a resurrected Sin-Eater hunts down some of Spider-Man’s villains.
Ravencroft
The events of “Ravencroft” are not part of Spencer’s run, but they will explain a change in status quo that will be important in the next Spider-Man arc.
Sins Rising
Amazing Spider-Man: Sins Rising Prelude #1
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #44-47
In this arc, the Sin-Eater continues to hunt down Spider-Man’s villains.
Green Goblin Returns
Amazing Spider-Man: The Sins of Norman Osborn #1
Free Comic Book Day 2020 (Spider-Man/Venom) #1
The Green Goblin is back, but not how we expect it. As the Sin-Eater continues his hunt, he sets his sights on Norman Osborn, forcing Peter to try to save him. The stakes also begin to increase as the other spiders of the world (Gwen Stacy, Julia Carpenter, Miles Morales, Jessica Drew, and Cindy Moon) team up to stop Peter from saving Norman.
Last Remains
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #50.LR
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #51.LR
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #52.LR
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #53.LR
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #54.LR
As Kindred’s evil plans start to take shape, Peter turns to Doctor Strange for help.
Shattered Web
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #56-60
In this arc, Spider-Man fights Mister Negative.
King’s Ransom
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #61-66
Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: King’s Ransom #1
In this arc, Spider-Man faces off against the Kingpin. Also, it features a cool new suit for the wall-crawler.
Chameleon Conspiracy
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #67-69
Giant Size Amazing Spider-Man: Chameleon Conspiracy #1
In this arc, the Chameleon returns, and Spider-Man teams up with his sister, Teresa Parker, to face him.
Sinister War
The finale of Nick Spencer’s run is here. Kindred’s plan finally unfolds, pitting Spider-Man up against a horde of his enemies and putting him through mental and emotional torture. Spider-Man must have one last stand to survive and defeat Kindred.
Review
This is the first modern Spider-Man series I have read in over a decade. I was eager to see how Marvel presented Spider-Man to a new audience, especially after his appearances in Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming. This run was the start of a new Spider-Man volume, so it would start with a #1 issue aimed at new readers.
Unfortunately, I had more questions after reading the run than I had before. I appreciate that Nick Spencer pays homage to previous classical Spider-Man storylines, but at times it seems that the series relied too much on previously published material. The arcs that I enjoyed the most were the ones that referenced stories that I was already familiar with. On the other hand, new material was fun, but sometimes failed to deliver the thrill and suspense it promised.
Nick Spencer’s run in Amazing Spider-Man was more lighthearted than Ultimate Spider-Man, so it was refreshing to read. But its storylines, particularly after issue #24 dropped in quality. At times it seemed that Spencer was rushed to complete his run and had to fit in a quick resolution in issues 70-74. This is a run that I may not want to read fully again, although some arcs, like “Hunted” are worth the read.
Despite its shortcomings, Spencer gets as close as possible to undoing some of the worst mistakes of Marvel editorial. The biggest takeaway is the retcon of the horrendous “Sins Past” storyline. He also brings us very close to addressing “One More Day”, though his run ended before any major changes could be made. Spencer’s storytelling shows a respect for Spider-Man fans and Spider-Man himself, allowing Peter to grow and develop while still keeping his “back to basics” approach.
Score: 7/10
Spencer brings a fun and quirky Spider-Man story that slowly builds into a dark thriller. Unfortunately, editorial interference forced him to rush through his arc, leaving much to be desired by the end of the run.
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