Spider-Man Comic Appearances for December 28, 2011

We've got 12 new comic books featuring a Spider-Man appearance or cameo this week, and we have a missed appearance from a previous week.  This week's issues include alternate printings and variants along with a few non-Marvel appearances.

Publisher BOOM! Town has released a "facsimile edition" of Too Much Coffee Man #1 (circa 1993).  The issue features a previously unknown Spidey appearance on page 13.

The other non-Marvel appearance is the weakest one of the week.  In fact, it's not so much an appearance as it is a complete spoof of the Spider-Man musical in New York (albeit starring Radioactive Man this time).  And while Spidey doesn't make an appearance himself, the whole story-line is just too much of a dead-on spoof not to include.

Avengers: X-Sanction #1 adds two new variants this week with the release of variant second printings.  Each is a black-and-white version of a previously released cover.

Here are the comics for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for December 21, 2011

A fairly low-key week as Spider-Man appears in 8 new comic books this week, and 3 are variants.

The most interesting news to come out of the comic shop this week is the change in cover stock that Marvel is testing out.

Fantastic Four #601 is one of the first to be released with the new paper stock.  Not sure if this is a test in the cost savings in producing comics, or maybe a reaction to the glossy cover stock causing some rippling from humidity around the country.

Bottom line, I actually like the matte finish to the new cover stock.  It hearkens back to the paper they used back in the late nineties.

Here's the appearance list for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for December 14, 2011

This week we have 16 new Spider-Man comic book appearances.  Half of those are variations of just one book, and two of those variations have multiple versions too.

Avengers: X-Sanction #1 is finally out and it brings us two exclusive covers only available for comic shops willing to buy 500 copies of their own exclusive cover.  Be sure to check out my story on the Avengers: X-Sanction comic shop exclusive variants including a list of participating stores.

Here's the list of books out this week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for December 7, 2011

A scant 6 new comic books featuring a Spider-Man appearance or cameo this week -- 8 if you want to get two copies each of the Avenging Spider-Man #2 and its variant.  Those issues come polybagged (like the 1st issue) complete with a free download code enclosed.

Some crazy collectors (myself included) like to have one sealed in its original format and one to open.

Here are this week's regular and variant issues:

• Amazing Spider-Man #675
• Avenging Spider-Man #2
• Avenging Spider-Man #2 (McGuinness Variant)
• Moon Knight #8
• Ultimate Comics Spider-Man Must Have #1
• Venom #10

While we've had a couple mild weeks in a row for appearances, according to comiclist.com we are a week away from the release of Avengers: X-Sanction #1 and its 8 variants.

• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Ed McGuinness Regular Cover)
• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Blank Variant Cover)
• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Bryan Hitch Wanted Comic Shop Variant Cover)
• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Carlo Pagulayan Battle Comic Shop Variant Cover)
• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Ed McGuinness Variant Cover)
• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Joe Quesada Variant Cover)
• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Joe Quesada Sketch Variant Cover)
• Avengers X-Sanction #1 (Leinul Yu Variant Cover)

Of course, if you are a completist, then don't forget to get a copy of the New York comic-Con preview giveaway comic too.  I wrote something up about it several weeks ago.

The holidays are fast approaching, so have fun boxdiving at your local comic shops!

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for November 30, 2011

A really light week with only 6 new comic books featuring a Spider-Man appearance or cameo, and FF #12 dominates half the list with its three covers.

History of the Marvel Universe is a fun issue that features an overview of key events throughout the history of the Marvel universe.

Stay tuned next week when Avengers: X-Sanction #1 comes out and promises to kick off some major new events.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving came a little early this week with a more palatable number of Spider-Man appearances than the last two weeks (which both included back-up promo teaser stories form the upcoming Avengers: X-Sanction comic in nearly every Marvel comic).

This week we have 9 new comics featuring a Spider-Man appearance, but that is made up on only 5 actual books.  Fantastic Four #600 comes out this week with its 5 variant covers, and all spoilers aside, I have to say the story was enjoyable for me.  Spidey's role is fairly diminished, but he does tie in to the final spoiler reveal.

I'm hoping that as both the Fantastic Four and FF series continue on, Spidey will be removed from the roster.  His presence was nice for a while, but serving as a recurring one-liner act is not all its cracked up to be.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for November 16, 2011

This week we have a massive 28 comic books featuring Spider-Man appearances.  This is spread across regular issues, variants and alternate printings.  The main culprit for the high number is the continuation of the Avengers X-Sanction back-up teaser story.

While it can be expensive picking up so many books in one week at the local comic shop, it does allow you to sample comics you might not read otherwise.

One jewel this week is the 6th issue of Comic Book Comics.  This is a fun series that offers a humorous view of the comic book business and history.  The latest issue doesn't disappoint...and it features a couple small Spidey inspired cameos as well.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for November 9, 2011

This week turns out to be the perfect storm for Spider-Man comic book appearances between the release of the first issue of Avenging Spider-Man (with 6 different covers), and a 6 page back-up promo story for Avengers: X-Sanction appearing in most Marvel issues for the week.

So with all of that said, we end up with 26 comic books featuring a Spider-Man cameo or appearance.  Ouch.

And true to their word, Marvel does release all 6 versions of Avenging Spider-Man #1 polybagged with a code to download an electronic version of the comic.  I still have a problem with the concept of promoting the download of a comic that someone has to buy a physical copy to get, but greater minds than mine seem to think this is the bomb.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for November 2, 2011

We're definitely witnessing a calm before the storm with only 8 new comic books featuring a Spider-Man appearance or cameo this week, and they come in all shapes and sizes with a magazine, a variant, and a freebie comic in the mix as well.

The storm I'm speaking about will hit in two weeks on November 16 when Avenging Spider-Man #1 is released.  It'll have no less than 6 variants, and it's been announced that all variants will be distributed in a polybag that contains a code to redeem a free online version of the issue (the issue you are holding in your hand...hmm).  Therefore, hardcore completists will likely want two of each variant -- one to open and one to remain in its original sealed state.

UPDATE:  Now unless I'm losing my mind, Comiclist.com originally listed Avenging Spider-Man #1 coming out on November 16th, but their newly updated list has it coming out next week. Let the variant onslaught commence.

Another storm will follow in December as this week's freebie comic foretells the release of Avengers X-Sanction #1 which follows the Amazing Spider-Man #666 model of offering retailers a stores-specific variant based on order size.  It's a bit too early to know how many retailers will take Marvel up on the offer, but hopefully not the 140 or so that ordered the Spidey book.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for October 26, 2011

Imagine a week without a variant comic book.  It seems like such an unlikely occurrence.  Well, this week is it.  Only 8 new Spider-Man comic book appearances and not one of them has a variant cover.

The Spider-Island storyline is drawing to a close with only one more Amazing Spider-Man issue due out to close the series.

FF #11 brings us one step closer to the Fantastic Four #600 and FF #12 crossover.  After which there may be some seismic shifts to the book.  Maybe Spidey no longer appears.  We'll find out soon enough.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for October 19, 2011

A modest 10 new comic books featuring Spider-Man appearances this week.

As has been the usual over the past several weeks, the list consists of a blend of regular issues, variant covers and alternate printings.

What is out of the ordinary is the fact that none of the books are core Spider-Man titles.  All of the issues this week are Spidey appearance and team books.

Fear Itself winds down with issue #7 and its two variant covers, and thankfully Spider-Man does not appear in the Fearless #1 off-shoot series.  That one came with four 1:50 variant covers, which could seriously drain your bank account.

Here is the list for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for October 12, 2011

Another light week for Spidey appearances.  Love that!  This week we have 7 new comic books with Spider-Man appearances and one is a freebie.

We're in wind down mode for the Spider-Island storyline, and Marvel is ramping up their marketing of Avenging Spider-Man with a new Daily Bugle giveaway comic.

With FF #10 out this week, and #11 soon to follow, we get a little closer to Fantastic Four #600 and a shift to the team in the FF book with #12.  Not yet sure how this will affect the webhead and whether or not he will continue to appear in one or both of the books.

New Avengers #17 gets a 1:50 variant, so this one will likely cost a bit.

The coolest cover this week has got to go to Black Panther #524 -- a Spider-Island tie-in -- which pays homage to the boxed-in cover layouts seen on the early '70s Amazing Spider-Man issues #102-117.

Here is the list of appearances for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for October 5, 2011

This week is an uncharacteristically light week with a paltry 8 new Spider-Man comic book appearances to pick up at your local comic shop.

Only one issue with a variant cover, no second printings, and the Season One Guide with Spidey on the cover is a freebie (if your store got it - one did and one didn't in my town).

Probably the biggest news to come out this week is the announcement of a new mini-series titled Avengers: X-Sanction slated to hit shelves in December.  The issues features the return of Cable as he is pitted against the Avengers in what is being purported (by Marvel) as the kick off to "...2012’s status quo-shattering event."

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for September 28, 2011

With 17 new Spider-Man comic book appearances this week, Marvel is continuing to lay out a swath of alternate printings for a large number of their books.

The variant covers eased up this week with only 2 that included a Spidey appearance.

And Herc #8 is my favorite cover of the week.  This issue is a Spider-Island tie-in that features Herc clad in a Spider-Man costume on the cover.  That makes two favorite cover issues in a row for Herc...a book I'm not really a huge fan of, but the cover art has been fun lately.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for September 21, 2011

There are 16 new Spider-Man comic book appearances this week.  They include an inordinate number of alternate printings and only a couple variant cover issues.

My favorite cover for the week is the Avengers #15 Immonen color variant.  There's no Spidey on the cover, but there is some mighty nice pose striking going on.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for September 14, 2011

This is a big week for variant covers.  There are 25 new Spider-Man appearances this week, and only 4 books make up 20 of the variants.

Be sure to note that there are 4 versions of the Amazing Spider-Man #669 "You're Spider-Man" variant cover.  This was the one that retailers could opt to have a customized cover if they were willing to purchase a minimum of 2,000 copies.

Only four stores took them up on the offer -- a far cry from the 142 that opted in to the #666 variants with a 500 minimum.  You can read more in an earlier blog post.

Hopefully, Marvel will take a break on the personalized cover fad for fear of cramming all these variants down our throat and seeing more people leave the hobby.  My 2 cents.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for September 7, 2011

Following a massive appearance list from seven days ago, this week we have 10 new Spider-Man comic book appearances at the local comic shop.

One fun appearance this week is a non-Marvel comic titled Orbit: Stan Lee which features a biography of the one and only Stan "The Man" Lee.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for August 31, 2011

This week is...painful.  Economically painful as there are 27 comic books with a Spider-Man appearance released.

27.  Ouch.

Most of that volume comes from a New Avengers teaser story printed in the back of most Marvel Comics, and Spidey is in there.  Additionally, there were quite a few 2nd printings and several variant covers too.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for August 24, 2011

This week at your local comic shop are 8 new Spider-Man appearance comic books including one variant.

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for August 17, 2011

We've got a mere 9 Spider-Man comic book appearances this week with one variant and 3 second printings.  Fear Itself is slowly fizzling out, while Spider-Island is excitedly on the uptick.