The Cosmic Spidey Saga makes makes up a fair chunk of the ACTS OF VENGEANCE (1989-1990) crossover, which largely revolves around a plot by a group of major villains to destroy the Avengers. But that didn’t stop the Prime Movers – the lead bad guys – from focusing some of that attention on your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. After all, he’s disrupted the plans of more than one of them over the years. And just as it all gets going, Spider-Man starts exhibiting super-powers he’s never had before, making killing him a little more of a challenge! But where have these powers come from?
While the majority of ‘Cosmic Spidey Saga’ chapters are part of the ‘Acts of Vengeance’, there’s also a little-known pseudo-prequel and a tie-in with the Avengers’ very own cosmic member, Quasar, as well as a prelude of sorts that justify giving the arc its own entry.
Major Crossover: This is a ten-part storyline with two additional tie-in chapters.
Must-Reads: In the Quick List, essential chapters are in bold; in the Full Reading Order and the Fallout section, story arcs/issues marked with a ✔ are essential reading.
Spoilers: The issue descriptions and fallout section contain spoilers, so be warned!
Previous events that directly impact this story:
- SECRET WARS (1984-1985) – Spider-Man first faces Titania
- ALL IN THE FAMILY (1987) – The Doom/Kristoff War begins!
- PRIDE GOETH BEFORE THE FALL (1988) – Spidey’s last clash with the Hulk
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the chronological reading order without story descriptions, or spoilers:
- Web of Spider-Man Annual #5 [2/5] (tie-in)
- Amazing Spider-Man #326 (tie-in)
- Spectacular Spider-Man #158
- Web of Spider-Man #59
- Amazing Spider-Man #327
- Spectacular Spider-Man #159
- Web of Spider-Man #60
- Amazing Spider-Man #328
- Quasar #7 (tie-in)
- Spectacular Spider-Man #160
- Web of Spider-Man #61
- Amazing Spider-Man #329
| Must Read | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Web of Spider-Man Annual #5 [2/5] (tie-in) Empire State University science professor Dr Evan Swann becomes the latest host of the Uni-Power, granting him the near-infinite abilities of Captain Universe. Once he’s ended the threat of the Quantum Mechanic by returning the creature home, the Uni-power leaves Dr Swann’s body, returning him to normal. 1st appearance: Quantum Mechanic | |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #326 Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson-Parker‘s housewarming party is ruined by an extravagant gift from MJ’s imprisoned stalker, Jonathan Caesar. At Empire State University, Dr Swann assigns Peter as an assistant to the arrogant Dr Max Lubisch on one of his experiments. Peter dons his Spider-Man costume when he notices Graviton has lifted the Daily Bugle building into the air, falling for the ploy to lure him out. Graviton beats Spider-Man by hurling metal furniture at him and leaving him for dead. Later, Peter reunites with MJ and finds out she’s passed her audition for the role in ‘Secret Hospital‘. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. 1st appearance: Dr Maxwell Lubisch |
| ✔ | Spectacular Spider-Man #158 The Trapster almost succeeds in killing Spider-Man who barely breaks free of his paste trap. The so-called ‘Lackey’ invites the Kingpin into the Prime Movers who are directing the Acts of Vengeance alongside Doctor Doom, Magneto and Wizard. Peter Parker is almost killed by a power surge during a dubious experiment with Max Lubisch. The Trapster returns to make sure Spidey’s dead, but soon learns the wall-crawler has gained new abilities that include enhanced senses, total control of his webbing and lasers firing from his fingertips. Spider-Man beats the Trapster by exploding the paste pellets attached to his costume. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. 1st appearance: Stuart McPhee |
| ✔ | Web of Spider-Man #59 Doctor Doom manipulates Titania into having a rematch with Spider-Man, amping up her rage with a secret device that also measures Spidey’s new abilities. Titania attacks the Daily Bugle and throws the Puma (secretly the Bugle’s new owner) through a window, attracting Spider-Man’s attention. Spidey’s fight with Titania ends up on the streets of New York where he blasts her with energy. Doom becomes obsessed with obtaining the Web-Slinger’s newfound power… Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. |
| Must Read | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #327 Magneto strays from the Prime Movers’ rules and confronts Spider-Man himself, believing the web-slinger’s new abilities to be latent mutant powers kicking in. Spidey’s varied abilities – including flight and transforming metal into glass – suggest to Magneto that he’s not a mutant, so the Master of Magnetism leaves the scene. Peter has accidentally placed innocent lives in danger due to the lack of control over his new powers. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. |
| ✔ | Spectacular Spider-Man #159 The Brothers Grimm agree to kill Spider-Man for the Wizard in exchange for the death of their nemesis, Iron Man. Doctor Doom continues to monitor Spider-Man who’s stressing over his new powers. J Jonah Jameson tries to recruit Peter Parker for his new publication which he hopes will rival the Daily Bugle. Spider-Man senses the Brothers Grimm’s activities when they lift Madison Square Garden above the city. His new powers help put the Garden back where it belongs. After being bombarded by killer pies and exploding silk scarves, Spidey drives the duo away when they realise they’re drastically outmatched. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. |
| ✔ | Web of Spider-Man #60 The cosmically-powered Spider-Man defeats the giant-sized Goliath, then heads over to see his aunt, May Parker, so she can overreact to his hypothetical question about having the power of life and death. The Kingpin lures Spider-Man into a trap where Goliath – with powers amplified by Doctor Doom – has another shot at killing Spidey. Goliath grows with each cosmic blast Spider-Man fires at him until his heart gives way and he disappears into the water near Liberty Island. The sensors Doom covered Goliath with are overloaded and destroyed. Spider-Man now believes himself to be a murderer. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #328 Sebastian Shaw agrees to destroy Spider-Man in exchange for the Hellfire Club‘s promised destruction (due to a grudge he’s been holding since INFERNO, 1988-1989). Shaw pays the Hulk to drop into New York City and attract Spidey’s attention, though he immediately finds himself outclassed and quickly changes back to Bruce Banner when the sun rises. Hulk attacks Spider-Man again the next night, only to be hurled into space. Spidey rescues the Hulk before the sun can come up and turns him back to Banner. Hulk departs, promising not to try and kill Spider-Man again. Shaw returns Banner to Nevada and begins to think Spider-Man may be a bigger threat than his nemesis, Magneto. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. |
| Must Read | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Quasar #7 (tie-in) Quasar tracks an alien signature to its source and is surprised to find it’s coming from Spider-Man. The Web-Slinger is short-tempered since the public turned against him again. But he’s clearly not a threat to Quasar’s boss, Eon, despite initially lashing out against the cosmic Avenger. The next day, Terminus re-emerges from beneath the Earth. Quasar calls on Spider-Man for help in defeating the alien behemoth. Together, they break Terminus’ staff and launch him into space. | |
| ✔ | Spectacular Spider-Man #160 Public opinion of Spider-Man is worse than ever before – even when he manages to put an end to the Shocker and Hydro-Man‘s feud with the Rhino. Doom upgrades the robotic super-soldier hunter TESS-One which can now absorb Spider-Man’s energies while it fights him. Spidey plays to the public’s misconception of him and destroys TESS-One in a rage, only to become more feared more than ever. Doom obtains TESS-One’s head and gets ready to steal Spider-Man’s powers. Elsewhere, Nick Katzenberg makes a move to steal Peter Parker’s job as J Jonah Jameson’s new photographer. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. |
| ✔ | Web of Spider-Man #61 At his wit’s end, Peter Parker decides to quit being Spider-Man, hurling his mask from the top of a building and flying home. The Wizard finds the mask and gives it to Dragon Man to track the Web-Slinger’s sent. Their clash ends up derailing a subway train. Spider-Man saves the passengers and wins the public’s affection. The Wizard has accidentally made Spidey popular again! Elsewhere, the lackey sabotages the head of TESS-One, foiling Doctor Doom’s plan to steal Spider-Man’s cosmic abilities. Later, Liz Osborn receives an unwanted call from a mystery man. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #329 Sebastian Shaw coerces Dr Max Lubisch into creating a mechanism that might negate Spider-Man’s new powers. As a parting gift (following his defeat in the ACTS OF VENGEANCE, 1989-1990), Loki merges Shaw’s three new Sentinels from Project: Nimrod into one Tri-Sentinel. Spider-Man easily defeats Graviton when he seeks a rematch. Spidey then gains full access to his abilities as Captain Universe! The Unipower manifested within him to pre-emptively prevent the Tri-Sentinel from causing widespread destruction. Spider-Man obliterates the robot, costing Shaw a fortune. The Unipower leaves Spider-Man’s body. Later, Peter and Mary Jane meet Flash Thompson‘s new girlfriend, Felicia Hardy. Also see ACTS OF VENGEANCE. 1st appearance: Tri-Sentinel New identity: Spider-Man as Captain Universe |
See how this story fits into the wider Marvel Universe with these reading orders:
- DOCTOR DOOM, 1982-1991 – The Doom/Kristoff War
- HULK, 1987-1992 – The Peter David Era I
| Must Read | Issue(s) & Fallout | Event / Crossover |
| Spectacular Spider-Man #161 (1990) Joe ‘Robbie’ Robertson is pardoned and doesn’t need to complete his prison sentence. | ||
| Web of Spider-Man #62 (1990) The Molten Man is revealed to be the mystery man calling Liz Osborn. | ||
| ✔ | Avengers: Death Trap – The Vault (1991) Goliath is revealed to be alive and imprisoned in the Vault. | |
| ✔ | Web of Spider-Man Annual #6 (1990) Toddler Eddie Price is the next host of the Uni-Power. | |
| Amazing Spider-Man #336 (1990) Nathan Lubensky‘s weak heart finally gives out when the Vulture tries to use him as a hostage; Nathan dies in Aunt May’s arms. | ||
| Amazing Spider-Man #339 (1990) Jonathan Caesar is murdered by another of Mary Jane Watson-Parker’s obsessive fans, ending his threat once and for all; MJ ends her career as a soap opera actress. | ||
| Thor Annual #15 (1990) Terminus returns to Earth after clashing with Thor in space. | THE TERMINUS FACTOR | |
| ✔ | Web of Spider-Man #64-65 (1990) The Chameleon summons the Brothers Grimm, Goliath, Graviton, Titania and Trapster and offers to pay them to destroy Spider-Man as the Spider-Man Revenge Squad; Spidey defeats all six villains without the Uni-Power; J Jonah Jameson launches his News Digest in competition with the Daily Bugle. | |
| Web of Spider-Man #69 (1990) The Hulk has returned to his less intelligent green form by the time he next clashes with Spider-Man. | ||
| Spectacular Spider-Man #171 (1990) The Puma sells the Daily Bugle back to J Jonah Jameson. | ||
| X-Factor #67 (1991) Sebastian Shaw’s apparent murder at the hands of his own son, Shinobi Shaw, spells the beginning of the end for Shaw’s incarnation of the Hellfire Club. | ||
| Quasar #23 (1991) Quasar fails to protect Eon from his predicted murder; Eon is killed by Maelstrom. | ||
| ✔ | What If #31 (1991) Uatu the Watcher reveals an alternate universe (Earth-91110) in which Spider-Man keeps his Captain Universe powers and conceives a daughter who may or may not have been conceived while he held the Uni-Power. | |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #351-352 (1991-1992) The Life Foundation rebuild the Tri-Sentinel; Spider-Man and Nova destroy it by reactivating its failsafes. |
| Must Read | Issue(s) & Fallout | Event / Crossover |
| Spectacular Spider-Man #187 (1992) When the Vulture believes he’s dying, he tries to make right by apologising to May Parker for the part he played in Nathan Lubensky’s death; May slaps him and swears never to forgive him. | ||
| ✔ | Spectacular Spider-Man #209-210 (1994) Despite initially getting together with Flash Thompson to get back at Peter Parker, Felicia Hardy (the Black Cat) falls in love with Flash and asks him to marry her; Flash rejects Felicia’s proposal, revealing he always knew she was the Black Cat, but believed she’d one day return to her adventurous life. | |
| Amazing Spider-Man #545 (2008) Mary-Jane makes a pact with Mephisto that erases her marriage to Peter Parker from history in order to save May Parker’s life. | ONE MORE DAY | |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #627-629 (2010) Spider-Man comes close to becoming host to the Captain Universe powers again; instead, the Uni-Power goes to William Nguyen who uses his abilities to have his revenge on the Juggernaut for costing him his job. | |
| Amazing Spider-Man #638-641 (2010) Mary Jane Watson reveals that she made a deal with Mephisto to leave Peter Parker alone at the cost of their marriage being erased from time; when history was altered, Peter and Mary Jane lived together but never married; Peter and Mary Jane become friends, but remain apart. | ||
| FF #1 (2011) Spider-Man joins the Future Foundation alongside the intellectually augmented Dragon Man. | FUTURE FOUNDATION | |
| ✔ | X-23 #13-16 (2011-2012) Spider-Man is among the previous hosts who are contacted by the Enigma Force when the Whirldemon escapes imprisonment in the Microverse and it needs someone to host the Uni-Power. | |
| ✔ | Secret Avengers #8 (2013) AIM obtain the remnants of TESS-One and give it a complete redesign. | MARVEL NOW! |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #9 (2015) Spider-Man meets an alternate universe version of himself (from Earth-13) who retained the Captain Universe powers. | SPIDER-VERSE |
| ✔ | Amazing Spider-Man #3-5 (2018) Mendell Stromm recreates the Tri-Sentinel only for it to be utilised for good as the Spider-Bot by a duplicate Spider-Man; the Spider-Bot fights Stromm’s Tri-Sentinel army before they all self-destruct. | BACK TO BASICS |
| ✔ | Spider-Geddon #4-5 (2019) The Uni-Power bonds with Miles Morales (originally the Spider-Man of Earth-1610), granting him the power of Captain Universe. | SPIDER-GEDDON |
| King in Black #4 (2021) Venom #34 (2021) King in Back #5 (2021) The Uni-Power takes Spider-Man’s nemesis Eddie Brock as its host to combat the threat of Knull. | KING IN BLACK | |
| Avengers Unlimited Infinity Comic #2 (2022) The Tri-Sentinel is destroyed by the Black Panther and Thor. |
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| Acts of Vengeance Omnibus | Amazing Spider-Man #326-329 Avengers #311-313 Avengers Spotlight #26-29[2/2] Avengers West Coast #53-55 Captain America #365-368 Cloak and Dagger #9 Iron Man #251-252 Quasar #5-7 Spectacular Spider-Man #158-160 Thor #411-413 Web of Spider-Man #59-61 |
| Acts of Vengeance: Spider-Man & X-Men | Alpha Flight #79-80 Amazing Spider-Man #326-329 New Mutants #86 Spectacular Spider-Man #158-160 Uncanny X-Men #256-258 Web of Spider-Man #59-61 Wolverine #19-20 X-Factor #50 |
| Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Cosmic Adventures (vol.20) | Amazing Spider-Man #326-333 Amazing Spider-Man Annual #24 Spectacular Spider-Man #158-160 Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #10 Web of Spider-Man #59-61 Web of Spider-Man Annual #6 |
| Spider-Man: The Cosmic Adventures | Amazing Spider-Man #327-329 Spectacular Spider-Man #158-160 Web of Spider-Man #59-61 |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Acts of Vengeance: Avengers Quasar Classic vol.1 | Quasar #7 |
| Amazing Spider-Man by Michelinie & MacFarlane Omnibus | Amazing Spider-Man #326-329 |
| Captain Universe: The Hero Who Could be You Captain Universe: Power Unimaginable | Web of Spider-Man Annual #5 [2/5] |
| Spider-Man Omnibus by Michelinie & Larsen Omnibus | Amazing Spider-Man #327, 329 |
| Spider-Man Legends: Todd McFarlane vol.1 | Amazing Spider-Man #328 |
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2025
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