10 Comics For Spider-Man Fans Who Love Spider-Island

What’s not to love about “Spider-Island“? The promotional material promised Spider-Man and a New York City filled with spider-powered people. What “Spider-Island” promised, Marvel delivered. “Spider-Island” is one of the greatest, highest-reviewed Amazing Spider-Man comic arcs of all time for many reasons.

The return of the Jackal, the rise of the Spider Queen, a positive progression for Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson’s relationship, post-Brand New Day, Kaine’s pivotal role in the story, and beautiful art by Humberto Ramos. Fans of “Spider-Island” looking for more of the same, or something similar, should check out some other specific Spider-Man comics that may scratch the “Spider-Island” itch.

10 The Jackal Ruined Spider-Man’s Life In The Clone Saga

The Jackal returned in “Spider-Island” to transform everyone in the city into spider-people and then spider-like monsters. “Spider-Island” was far from the first time Jackal tried to turn Spider-Man’s world upside down, and it wouldn’t be the last, but knowing the 1990s Clone Saga is important to understanding Jackal’s character.

Miles Warren had fallen in love with Gwen Stacy and, by extension, developed a hatred for Peter Parker. Through cloning chaos, fans saw Spider-Man meet Ben Reilly (the first Scarlet Spider), and Kaine debuted during the Clone Saga.

9 More Cloning Impacted Spider-Man & All Of New York City

Dan Slott’s “Clone Conspiracy” was a semi-sequel to the 1990s Clone Saga. The Jackal had returned, though this time Ben Reilly wore the mask. Gwen Stacy had resurfaced, once again proclaiming herself the real Gwen. And Spider-Man was forced to reexamine his power and responsibility oath.

“Clone Conspiracy” was not quite as well-received as “Spider-Island,” but it’s nearly as epic. Doctor Octopus, the Hobgoblin, Rhino and so many Spider-Man villains returned––”dead no more”––as “Clone Conspiracy” offered beautiful art and some great continuing threads that would change major characters, like the original Scarlet Spider and Doc Ock (who would later make himself into the Superior Octopus).

8 The Adventures Of Kaine, The Scarlet Spider

Following Kaine’s starring role in “Spider-Island,” fans could read more about Kaine’s subsequent adventures in the Scarlet Spider solo series where Kaine adopted Ben Reilly’s mantle and tried to convince everyone around him that he wasn’t really a hero––despite his numerous heroic deeds.

Peter Parker’s Spider-Man is, all around, a good person who wants to do the right thing. Kaine sees himself as a bad person who inadvertently does the right thing. Scarlet Spider (vol. 2) was, in many ways, a more interesting read than the average Amazing Spider-Man issue; Kaine has just as many layers as Peter.

7 Ben Reilly, Ultimate Jessica Drew & Kaine Team Up

Scarlet Spiders from other worlds teamed up in this tie-in miniseries connected to the original Spider-Verse comic series. While Peter Parker and Otto Octavius’s Superior Spider-Man led their own teams of Spider-People, Kaine from Earth-616, Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman from the Ultimate universe and Ben Reilly from a world where he remained the Sensational Spider-Man assaulted the Inheritor’s cloning facility––poetic justice.

Kaine and Ben Reilly have a potentially stronger relationship than Ben and Peter. Kaine and Ben are clones with shared connections to traumatic events involving the Jackal. Those who loved Kaine in “Spider-Island” will love him teaming up with even more of his peers in Scarlet Spiders.

6 Spider-Man & The Avengers Vs. Doctor Octopus

“Ends of the Earth” rewarded longtime readers of Amazing Spider-Man, connecting the events of Amazing Spider-Man #600 (Spider-Man’s previous battle with Doctor Octopus) and leading into the events of Superior Spider-Man (when Doc Ock finally “won”).

Like “Spider-Island,” “Ends of the Earth” also stars the Avengers teaming up with Spider-Man to save New York. Instead of an army of spider-people, the Avengers must fight Doctor Octopus and his new Sinister Six. “Ends of the Earth” is epic and quite a personal, even heartbreaking, story between Peter Parker and Otto Octavius.

5 Experience More Spider-Island In Tie-In Comics

Readers may have finished reading “Spider-Island” in the Amazing Spider-Man comic series, but why stop there? The “Spider-Island” storyline stretched across many tie-in comics starring other New York City heroes and characters tied to the Wall-Crawler, such as Cloak and Dagger, Shang-Chi and the rest of the Avengers.

These companion titles offer a full scope of the events of “Spider-Island,” whereas the Amazing Spider-Man title limits readers to the perspectives of Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, and his closer supporting cast. Fans who loved the core “Spider-Island” issues should definitely check out the Spider-Island Companion volume.

4 Spider-Man & His Allies Vs. Red Goblin

“Spider-Island” forced New York’s greatest heroes to come together to fight a villain who threatened the entire city. Alongside epic fights and stellar examples of Spider-Man using his powers, “Spider-Island” also featured great character moments and felt like a milestone for the series and Peter Parker.

Fans looking for all those qualities will find most boxes checked in “Go Down Swinging.” The comic arc occurs in Amazing Spider-Man #800 and introduced the Red Goblin (Green Goblin and Carnage). With guest appearances from Flash Thompson, Venom, Superior Octopus and more, “Go Down Swinging” is an epic conclusion to a Spider-Man saga and a heartfelt event.

3 Mary Jane Watson Becomes Spinneret

Mary Jane was no damsel in distress during “Spider-Island.” The Jackal’s army of radioactive insects allowed Mary Jane to acquire spider-powers and help Peter Parker fight crime. MJ was instrumental in rallying the city and helping Spider-Man maintain some semblance of safety. It was also great to see MJ in action, punching bad guys and shooting webs.

Fans of “Spider-Island” wishing for more superheroic MJ action should check out the two volumes of Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows. Fans love Renew Your Vows because it presents a world where Peter and MJ stay together, and the second volume places MJ in spider-powered boots as Spinneret, fighting crime alongside Spider-Man and their daughter, Spiderling, creating the Spider-Family.

2 Kindred Corrupts Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends

Kindred’s backstory is a pretty complex one, but what new fans need to know going into the fifth volume of Amazing Spider-Man is that Kindred is an old Spider-Man villain with ties to Peter Parker’s past, looking for revenge on the Wall-Crawler. Kindred also can corrupt Spider-Man’s allies.

The “Last Remains” arc of Amazing Spider-Man saw Spider-Man team up with the Green Goblin to battle the Spider-Army (Miles Morales, Madame Web, Jessica Drew and Spider-Gwen), when they were taken over by demonic forces. Like “Spider-Island,” “Last Remains” featured many spider-heroes and a longtime villain looking to attack Spider-Man’s heart.

1 Spider-Verse Features Even More Spider-Heroes Than Spider-Island

A New York City full of spider-powered heroes and villains? How about a multiverse? Spider-people from across the Web of Life and Destiny teamed up in the comic event, drastically changing Spider-Man stories forever. Spider-Man is no longer a friendly neighborhood hero thanks to his multiversal adventures in Spider-Verse.

“Spider-Island” was epic. It focused on those closest to Peter Parker, like J. Jonah Jameson and Mary Jane Watson. Spider-Verse may not be as intimate, but it’s even more epic. Spider-Verse is the ultimate sandbox overflowed with the best toys.