Even if Spider-Man is the most popular Marvel superhero, the events centered around him are not as regular as we may think. There are a few though, like 2011’s Spider-Island written by Dan Slott with art by Humberto Ramos.
Here is the official synopsis: Between keeping New York City safe as Spider-Man, being a member of two Avengers teams and the FF, and his day job at Horizon Labs, Peter Parker’s life is as crazy as it’s ever been. And it’s about to get even crazier.
Welcome to Spider-Island, where a million New Yorkers suddenly possess Spider-Man’s powers – but none of the responsibility! Can Spidey play world-saving superhero while the Big Apple gets eaten alive from the inside out when he’s suddenly not quite so special? When he’s surrounded by a million people just as powerful as him? When even his girlfriend is web-swinging through the city? And just wait until you meet J. Jonah Jameson, the Spectacular Spider-Mayor!
What to read before Spider-Island?
Being the first event of the Dan Slott era, there were not a lot of Spider-Man books prior to it. You can take a look at our The Amazing Spider-Man by Dan Slott Reading Order for a full listing.
Spider-Island Reading Order: Collected Editions
- Spider-Man: Spider-Island
Collects The Amazing Spider-Man #666-673, Venom #6-9, Spider-Island: Deadly Foes #1, and Amazing Spider-Man #659-660; 662-665 (Infested stories). - Spider-Man: Spider-Island Companion
Collects Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl #1-3, Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger #1-3, Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1-3, Herc #7-8, Spider-Island: Avengers #1, Spider-Island: Spider-Woman #1, Black Panther #524, Spider-Island: Heroes for Hire #1, and Spider-Island Spotlight #1.
Spider-Island Reading Order: Issue by issue
The must-reads are in bold.
- Amazing Spider-Man: Infested #1
- Spider-Island: Daily Bugle #1
- The Amazing Spider-Man #665-666
- Venom (vol. 2) #5
- The Amazing Spider-Man #667 –> The main event starts here
- Spider-Island: Cloak and Dagger #1
- Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1
- The Amazing Spider-Man #668
- Spider-Island: Deadly Foes #1
- Spider-Island: I Love New York City #1
- Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl #1-2
- Venom (vol. 2) #6
- Spider-Island: Avengers #1
- Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #524
- The Amazing Spider-Man #669
- Spider-Island: Cloak and Dagger #2-3
- Spider-Island: Spider-Woman #1
- The Amazing Spider-Man #670
- Venom (vol. 2) #7
- Herc #7-8
- Spider-Island: Heroes For Hire #1
- The Amazing Spider-Man #671
- Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2-3
- Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl #3
- Venom (vol. 2) #8
- The Amazing Spider-Man #672-673
After Spider-Island
Once Spider-Island concluded, the adventures of the Amazing Spider-Man didn’t stop, of course (see here). They continue in:
- Spider-Man: Flying Blind
Collects Amazing Spider-Man issues #674–677, and the crossover to Daredevil #8.
Also, Spider-Island laid the groundwork for the second volume of the Scarlet Spider series. This time, it was not about Ben Reilly, but about Kaine making a fresh start in Houston. It was written by Christopher Yost.
- Scarlet Spider Vol. 1: Life After Death
Collects Scarlet Spider Vol. 2 #1-6, material from Marvel Point One