Best 1990s Spider-Man Story Not By JM DeMatteis

[Mister Mets]

The 1990s don't have a great reputation when it comes to Spider-Man comics, with the exception of the times J.M. DeMatteis was on board. That list includes the Harry Osborn saga, "The Gift," the Ben Reilly VS Kaine mini-series and even Maximum Carnage, which inexplicably pops on "best of " lists.

So. I'm curious if any stories have been overlooked.

What's your favorite 1990s Spider-Man comic not by JM DeMatteis.

Titles published include...
Amazing Spider-Man #330-441
Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 #1-14
(Peter Parker) Spider-Man #1-98
Peter Parker Spider-Man Volume 2 #1-14
Sensational Spider-Man #1-33
Spectacular Spider-Man #162-263
Web of Spider-Man #62-129

I think the Cosmic Spider-Man just misses the 1990s cutoff. For the sake of the discussion, Spider-Girl and Spider-Man 2099 count as Spider-Man comics (as would any Venom spinoff.) A crossover partially written by DeMatteis is excluded.

[Lee]

"The Bridge" from Webspinners Tales of Spider-Man #7-9 was fantastic.

"A Night on the Town!" from Untold Tales of Spider-Man '96 is another highlight.

[AJpyro]

Origin is a pretty awesome beginning for Miguel and 2099.

[Mister Mets]

I went with the Amazing Fantasy mini-series. It was an excellent early Year One type project with rather good one-off villains, and an exploration of a time that hasn't really been covered in the Spider-Man comics.

[Yaniv Avizrats]

untold tales "without warning" is seriously underrated. the entire series is underrated.

[L.R Johansson]

Well, in reality I'd say it's "Spider-man 2099: Origin", but I feel choosing that instead of mainline Spidey is CHEATING! ; )

So I picked the second best instead:

HOBGOBLIN LIVES!!


Honourable mention goes out to "The Return of the Sinister Six" - good fun, but it lacked depth.

[Celgress]

Tough call, I'll go with Hobgoblin Lives

[keeen]

untold tales "without warning" is seriously underrated. the entire series is underrated.

not by me! yeah that whole series does everything right.

[Spidey_Legend]

Anything printed in the Untold Tales of Spider-Man. That series was pure gold.

I also like the Amazing Fantasy miniseries. It was interesting too.

[Scott Taylor]

Went with Torment because its so iconic of the period and important. People love to hate the story, but I bet most people who were reading comics at the time read and enjoyed it.

[LifeIsILL]

Not a clue....I say the Spider-Girl stuff.

[MJS]

not voting in the poll because I don't like the options.

My votes if this were a write-in:

All of Spider-Girl
All of Untold Tales
Spider-Man: Spirits of the Earth by Charles Vess
Hobgoblin Lives
Spider-Man 15 "The Mutant Factor" by Erik Larsen
Spider-Man Meets Spider-Man 2099 by Peter David & Rick Leonardi
Spider-Man: Fear Itself by Gerry Conway & Ross Andru
Amazing Spider-Man 341-343 "Powerless"

[David Walton]

I went with the What If? issue that introduced Spider-Girl to the world. I think it's just such a brilliant origin, even if we'd never gotten another Mayday Parker story.

Thankfully, we did!

[Mister Mets]

not voting in the poll because I don't like the options.

My votes if this were a write-in:

All of Spider-Girl
All of Untold Tales
Spider-Man: Spirits of the Earth by Charles Vess
Hobgoblin Lives
Spider-Man 15 "The Mutant Factor" by Erik Larsen
Spider-Man Meets Spider-Man 2099 by Peter David & Rick Leonardi
Spider-Man: Fear Itself by Gerry Conway & Ross Andru
Amazing Spider-Man 341-343 "Powerless"

There is an "Other (Please Specify)" option.

Hobgoblin Lives and Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man are options.

[Metamorphosis]

not voting in the poll because I don't like the options.

My votes if this were a write-in:

All of Spider-Girl
All of Untold Tales
Spider-Man: Spirits of the Earth by Charles Vess
Hobgoblin Lives
Spider-Man 15 "The Mutant Factor" by Erik Larsen
Spider-Man Meets Spider-Man 2099 by Peter David & Rick Leonardi
Spider-Man: Fear Itself by Gerry Conway & Ross Andru
Amazing Spider-Man 341-343 "Powerless"

It was definitely a time period of good but not a lot of great stories. That's what handicapping a list like this with no JMD does.

I would definitely put the Spidey/Beast team up in Spider-Man #15 on a best list. Some of Larsen's best Spider-Man work, along with his "Revenge of the Sinister Six".

I actually quite liked "Masques" a lot by McFarlane, or, the story where Jason Macendale is a twisted religious freak that kills people.

I liked Spidey Vs Venom on the island story in ASM by Michelinie / Larsen as well (somewhere in the 340's).

ASM #375, where Venom abducts Peter's 'parents' and we first meet Brock's wife Ann Weying, was probably the last great Venom story, with some outstanding art by Bagley.

Other contenders:

Spider-Man Unlimited #3 (Doc Ock's past by Tom DeFlaco)
Sensational Spider-Man #0-7 by Dan Jurgens and Klaus Jansen.
"Freefall!" (Peter and Norman trapped in the downed elevator by Mackie / JR Jr)
Identity Crisis
Goblins At The Gate

There is an "Other (Please Specify)" option.

Hobgoblin Lives and Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man are options.

I'm surprised you didn't cast your vote for "Torment"--thought you adored that one?