Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1
Amazing Spider-Man Annual (2026) #1 serves as the second significant showcase for Rapid, the time-manipulating speedster created by Chip Zdarsky and CAFU who debuted in Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man #1 (June 2025), giving the character his first extended solo adventure alongside Peter Parker and cementing his place in the ongoing Spider-Man corner of the Marvel Universe. The issue is notable for leaning into a mentor dynamic that critics observed is underused in modern Spider-Man storytelling — Peter Parker passing hard-won wisdom to a new hero who, like him, gained powers through a freak accident and is torn between family obligations and heroism. The backup story, written by Joe Kelly and drawn by Roi Mercado, functions as a bridge piece set between Amazing Spider-Man #20 and #21, illuminating Roderick Kingsley's (Hobgoblin) involvement in the consortium plotting to eliminate Norman Osborn — an ongoing subplot that would climax with the revelation that the mysterious Alecto is Emily Lyman-Osborn, Norman's long-lost ex-wife. Together, the two stories make this annual a meaningful connective tissue issue in the 2025–26 Amazing Spider-Man run rather than a self-contained throwaway.
ComicBooks.com’s Estimated Value
Find on ebay
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The annual was released January 28, 2026, edited by Nick Lowe, with the lead story written by Saladin Ahmed and drawn by Federico Vicentini (colors by Chris Sotomayor, letters by Joe Caramagna), and the backup written by Joe Kelly with art by Roi Mercado. Vicentini brought established Spider-Man pedigree to the book, having previously illustrated Miles Morales: Spider-Man and portions of Nick Spencer's Amazing Spider-Man run, and his kinetic style proved a natural fit for a story built around a speedster. The issue shipped with multiple variant covers, including pieces by Gabriele Dell'Otto and Nicoletta Baldari, reflecting standard modern Marvel annual treatment for ongoing flagship series.
Trivia · 8 facts
- The lead story is written by Saladin Ahmed with art by Federico Vicentini and marks Rapid's second major appearance after his debut in Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man #1 (June 11, 2025).
- Rapid (real name Roger) was created by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist CAFU; his power is the ability to create a localized time-freeze bubble, making him appear to move at superhuman speed rather than actually moving faster.
- A key element of Rapid's character — established in his debut and carried into this annual — is that he uses his time-manipulation power to slow the progression of his father's brain cancer, meaning every use of his ability in combat directly costs his father's health.
- The lead story's villain is Screwball, a 'Brand New Day'-era Spider-Man antagonist (introduced 2008) who livestreams her attacks on the city; the annual gives her a visual redesign by Vicentini.
- The issue contains a backup story, 'Deal with the Devils,' written by Joe Kelly with art by Roi Mercado, set in-continuity between Amazing Spider-Man #20 and #21, focusing on Roderick Kingsley (Hobgoblin) and his involvement in a conspiracy against Norman Osborn.
- Alecto (Emily Lyman-Osborn), who appears in the backup, is the mysterious leader of the anti-Osborn Goblin-Slayer cult whose identity as Norman's ex-wife is revealed in the surrounding Amazing Spider-Man run; her appearance here is a cameo that feeds directly into that arc.
- The backup story was subsequently collected in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3: Resolute trade paperback alongside Amazing Spider-Man (2025) #11 (A story), #12, #14, #16, #18, and #20–21.
- The issue shipped with at least four variant covers: a main cover by Francesco Mobili, plus variants by Federico Vicentini, Gabriele Dell'Otto (with a Virgin edition), and Nicoletta Baldari.
Cast · 7 characters
Full credits
Variants (4)
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.