Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection #21
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis Epic Collection volume from Marvel reprints a pivotal era for Spider-Man, covering the late 1990s storylines that saw Peter Parker's world turned upside down. It includes the controversial 'Spider-Man: The Clone Saga' epilogue and the introduction of a new, more aggressive Spider-Man, as well as the 'Threat or Menace?' arc that explores the public's shifting perception of the wall-crawler. Collecting issues from the 'Amazing Spider-Man,' 'Spectacular Spider-Man,' and 'Web of Spider-Man' series, this book captures a dark, transitional period for the character.
In "Spirits of the Earth," Spider-Man finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse when Justin Hammer secretly hires him to take down Cardiac—only to then send Boomerang after him. With Silver Sable pulling strings from the shadows and a newly freed Eddie Brock unknowingly unleashing the Venom symbiote’s next chapter, the streets of New York become a battleground of shifting loyalties and hidden agendas. Written by David Michelinie and brought to life by Mark Bagley’s dynamic art, with Randy Emberlin’s inks, Bob Sharen’s colors, and Rick Parker’s lettering, this epic collection entry features a cover by Erik Larsen and Al Gordon.
In "Spirits of the Earth," Peter Parker and Mary Jane take a second honeymoon in Scotland, seeking peace among the highlands—only for Spider-Man to be pulled into a mystery involving eerie faeries and ghostly apparitions. As the supernatural disturbances grow, a far more grounded danger begins to surface beneath the ancient landscape.
In "The Wagers of Sin," the Vulture finds himself drawn into a darker game when he's recruited by Doctor Octopus to join the Sinister Six, marking a dangerous shift in his criminal ambitions. With Aunt May's boyfriend, Nathan Lubensky, caught in the crossfire, the stakes rise as Spider-Man confronts both the Vulture and the growing threat of a united villainous force.
In "Death from Above," Spider-Man faces off against the full force of the Sinister Six as they hijack an experimental rocket to unleash a deadly poison into the sky. With Sandman caught between loyalty and conscience, his betrayal leads to a shocking transformation that throws the team into chaos.
In "The Killing Cure," Spider-Man races against time to secure a rare element from Doc Ock to neutralize a deadly atmospheric poison. As the city teeters on the edge, Jonathon Caesar makes one final, desperate move to win Mary Jane—only to meet an unexpected end at the hands of a fan with a badge.
In "The Hero Subtracter," Spider-Man confronts a startling revelation when Dr. Turner reveals a machine capable of stripping away his powers. Faced with the weight of his responsibilities and the safety of Aunt May, Peter considers a future without his abilities—forever.
In "With(Out) Great Power...", Spider-Man willingly strips himself of his abilities using Doc Turner's machine, seeking a break from the constant burden of being a hero. But when the doctor betrays him, the powerless web-slinger finds himself exposed—and vulnerable—when Tarantula learns the truth.
In "The Jonah Trade," Scorpion exploits a secret about Spider-Man’s vulnerability by targeting J. Jonah Jameson, forcing the web-slinger into a dangerous confrontation. With the Black Cat by his side, Spider-Man must race to save Jameson before the stakes turn deadly.
In "War Garden!", Spider-Man and Black Cat pursue Dr. Turner through a web of scientific secrets, only to find their powers tangled in a machine’s unexpected surge. As Spider-Man fights to reclaim what was lost, the cost stretches beyond the battlefield—leaving Black Cat wondering what it means to be powerless when the fight isn’t over. Meanwhile, Aunt May prepares for an unexpected dinner guest, her quiet moment at home shadowed by the chaos just beyond her doorstep.
In "Hearts and Powers," Spider-Man dives into a high-stakes mystery when he uncovers a hidden cache of cocaine-processing chemicals, leading him into a tense standoff with Cardiac—claiming he’s on the right side—and the relentless Rhino, who insists otherwise. When the chemical’s owner, Justin Hammer, sees an opportunity, he makes an unexpected move: instead of fighting Spider-Man, he offers him a job.
In "Gun from the Heart!", Spidey is pulled into a deadly game of cat and mouse when Justin Hammer secretly enlists him to take down Cardiac—only to later send Boomerang after him. Meanwhile, Eddie Brock’s release from prison unleashes the Venom symbiote, leaving behind a single drop that lingers in the shadows, waiting to awaken Cletus Kasady.
In "Righteous Sand," Sandman teams up with a group of Avengers after learning of a looming arms heist—only for Spider-Man to arrive with the same intel, forcing an uneasy alliance. Tensions rise when Captain America reprimands Sandman, sparking a fiery reaction that leaves the team fractured.
In "Doom Service!", Spider-Man teams up with the enigmatic Black Fox and the vengeful Doom in a high-stakes race against time to recover a stolen gem—Doom’s only memento of his mother—before the 24-hour deadline. With the Dragon’s Egg now in the hands of a shadowy black-market order, the unlikely trio must navigate danger and distrust to stop a greater threat.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints Spider-Man: Spirits of the Earth #[nn] (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #334 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #335 (1990), Marvel Age #91 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #336 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #337 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #338 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #339 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #340 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #341 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #342 (1990), The Amazing Spider-Man #343 (1991), The Amazing Spider-Man #344 (1991), The Amazing Spider-Man #345 (1991), The Amazing Spider-Man #346 (1991), The Amazing Spider-Man #347 (1991), Marvel Fanfare #57 (1991), The Amazing Spider-Man #348 (1991), The Amazing Spider-Man #349 (1991), The Amazing Spider-Man #350 (1991), Spider-Man: Venom Returns #[nn] (1993), Marvel Super-Heroes #15 (1993), Spider-Man vs. Doctor Doom #[nn] (1995), Spider-Man: Sinister Six #[nn] (2009)
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