Spider-Man Crossovers: Major Events to Collect

Spider-Man crossovers and events represent pivotal moments where the character transcends his regular series to become the center of epic sagas involving dozens of characters. These arcs, often released across multiple titles simultaneously, have produced some of the most sought-after key issues and some of the most iconic covers in the Marvel Universe.

For the collector, Spider-Man crossovers offer an exciting challenge: reconstituting the entirety of an event scattered between 3 to 14 different series. This guide identifies essential events, their key numbers, and strategies for acquiring them consistently and economically.

Secret Wars (1984-1985) — The black suit that changed everything

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is the first major crossover in Marvel history. For Spider-Man, this event is fundamental because it introduces the black symbiote suit, which will become Venom four years later. The 12-issue miniseries by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck remains a monument of the genre.

Key issues Secret Wars

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 (December 1984):Spider-Man gets the black symbiote suit. CGC 9.8: $1,500-2,500. CGC 9.6: $500-800. It's the origin of everything leading to Venom, Carnage, and the Symbiote-verse. One of the most liquid key issues on the market — it sells in a few hours at a fair price.

Secret Wars #1 (May 1984):Start of the event. CGC 9.8: $400-700. First major Marvel crossover, considerable historical value.

Secret Wars #12 (April 1985):Conclusion. CGC 9.8: $150-250. Often overlooked but important for completionists.

ASM #252 (May 1984):First appearance of the black suit in regular continuity (published before Secret Wars #8 for editorial calendar reasons). CGC 9.8: $1,200-1,800. An essential complementary key issue.

Maximum Carnage (1993) — The heyday of the 90s

Maximum Carnage is a 14-part crossover released from July to October 1993, spanning Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, and Spectacular Spider-Man. Cletus Kasady (Carnage) escapes and wreaks havoc with a team of psychopaths, forcing Spider-Man to ally himself with Venom.

Reading order and key numbers

Spider-Man Unlimited #1 (May 1993):Prologue and official start of Maximum Carnage. CGC 9.8: $100-180. First issue of the Spider-Man Unlimited series.

Spider-Man Unlimited #2 (August 1993):Conclusion of the arc. CGC 9.8: $60-100.

Web of Spider-Man #101 (June 1993):Part 2, first appearance of the new Spider-Man (Ben Reilly cameo according to some interpretations). CGC 9.8: $50-80.

The complete set of 14 issues in raw (VF/NM conditions) sells for between $150 and $250 as a set. It's one of the most accessible crossovers to build, with strong readers' nostalgia for the 90s maintaining a steady demand.

Spider-Verse (2014-2015) — The event that redefined the franchise

Dan Slott's Spider-Verse event brought together all the Spider-People of the multiverse against Morlun and the Inheritors. Its critical and commercial success directly inspired the animated film “Into the Spider-Verse” (2018), transforming modern issues into major key issues.

Key issues Spider-Verse

Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (September 2014):First appearance of Spider-Gwen (Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman). CGC 9.8: $800-1,400. The modern key issue which exploded the most following cinematic success.

Amazing Spider-Man #9 (vol. 3, 2014):Official start of the Spider-Verse crossover. CGC 9.8: $60-100.

Spider-Verse #1 (January 2015):Companion miniseries. CGC 9.8: $40-60.

Spider-Verse #2 (February 2015):First appearance of Spider-Punk (Hobie Brown). CGC 9.8: $80-150. Character present in Across the Spider-Verse.

Edge of Spider-Verse #5 (2014):First appearance of SP//dr (Peni Parker). CGC 9.8: $100-180. Character from the film Into the Spider-Verse.

Clone Saga (1994-1996) — The marathon event

The Clone Saga is the longest and most controversial Spider-Man crossover in history. Scheduled to last a few months, it spanned two years through four monthly series, with constant twists and turns concerning the identity of the “real” Peter Parker. Despite the criticisms, it contains important issues.

Key issues Clone Saga

Web of Spider-Man #117 (October 1994):First appearance of Ben Reilly as Scarlet Spider. CGC 9.8: $150-250. The flagship number of the saga.

Amazing Spider-Man #394 (October 1994):Start of the saga with holographic flip cover. CGC 9.8: $60-100.

Spectacular Spider-Man #226 (July 1995):Revelation that Ben Reilly would be the “real” Peter Parker. CGC 9.8: $40-70.

Spider-Man #75 (December 1996):Death of Ben Reilly, end of the Clone Saga. CGC 9.8: $30-50. Conclusion long awaited by millions of frustrated readers.

The complete Clone Saga collection represents over 100 issues across four series. In raw VF/NM, count on $500-800 for the set — an investment of patience but a historical saga to own.

Other notable Spider-Man crossovers

Kraven's Last Hunt (1987)

Published in 6 parts by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck (Web of Spider-Man #31-32, Amazing Spider-Man #293-294, Spectacular Spider-Man #131-132). CGC 9.8 for Web #31: $300-500. Considered one of the best Spider-Man arcs ever written, its value continues to grow.

Spider Island (2011)

Dan Slott event where all of Manhattan gets spider powers. ASM #666-673 plus tie-ins. The main numbers in CGC 9.8: $30-60 each. An accessible and entertaining modern crossover.

Absolute Carnage (2019)

Donny Cates on screenplay, Ryan Stegman on drawing. 5 main numbers plus tie-ins. Absolute Carnage #1 in CGC 9.8: $40-70. Very well received event which revived interest in the symbiote-verse.

Crossover collection strategy

Buying crossovers in full lots on eBay is almost always cheaper than number by number. Focus your CGC budget on the main 2-3 key issues of each event and make up the rest in raw. The 90s crossovers (Maximum Carnage, Clone Saga) offer the best value due to their high print runs.