Spider-Boy #2

History

The ongoing Spider-Boy series was written by Bailey Briggs co-creator Dan Slott with interior art by Paco Medina — chosen by Slott to bring a 'slightly cartoon style' that reviewers noted suited the character's all-ages energy — and backup art by Ty Templeton with colors by Dee Cunniffe, while covers across the run were provided by the character's other co-creator, Humberto Ramos. Slott confirmed in interviews that Marvel editorial specifically requested at least one established, marquee villain appear in issue #2, which is why Taskmaster — rather than a wholly new rogue — anchors the lead story, even as Slott's stated preference was to populate Bailey's world primarily with original characters.

Trivia · 8 facts

• Issue titled ''Twas the Fight Before Christmas!'; shipped December 20, 2023 with a February 2024 cover date.
• Main story: Spider-Boy intercepts Taskmaster (Tony Masters), who has been hired to steal the Super-Adaptoid from a military installation guarded by Captain America (Steve Rogers); Taskmaster escapes with only the android's hand.
• Backup story ('X-Mas Ex Machina'): concludes the two-part Balloon Man arc begun in #1 — Spider-Boy, Squirrel Girl (Doreen Green), and her squirrel companion Tippy-Toe, along with Captain Squirrel, defeat Professor Emilio Helio's animated parade balloons, with Santa Claus (Kris) personally joining the battle.
• Balloon Man (Professor Emilio Helio), Captain Squirrel, and the Wiggle Men made their first appearances in issue #1's backup story; issue #2's backup is their second appearance and the conclusion of that arc.
• Dan Slott publicly stated that Marvel editorial requested a 'heavy hitter' villain for issue #2, leading to Taskmaster's inclusion — a deliberate contrast to the series' otherwise all-new rogues gallery.
• The issue uses two distinct creative teams: Paco Medina / Erick Arciniega on the main story and Ty Templeton / Dee Cunniffe on the backup — a dual-team format established from issue #1.
• Christina Xu, Bailey's civilian ally first introduced in the solo series, appears in the backup, continuing her role as a supporting character who shares Bailey's adventures.
• The series was created by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, with Slott noting that Bailey Briggs — a pre-teen — is the first genuinely pre-teen Spider-hero in main Marvel continuity (Earth-616), distinct from teenage Spider-Men like Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy.

Cast · 11 characters

Full credits

Key issues in Spider-Boy

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#1 1st appearance — Hellifino

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#13 1st appearance — Hulkette

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#4 1st appearance — Boy-Spider

Variants (6)