Even if you’ve been living under a rock, chances are good that you’ve heard of a little movie coming out in May April called “Avengers: Infinity War”. One thing Spider-Man fans are sure to notice right away from trailers and promotional material is that Spider-Man is sporting a new costume.
The costume in question, which is being billed as the Iron Spider, made its debut at the end of last year’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. Spider-Man turned down this Tony Stark designed-armored costume and the Avengers membership that went with it, but with the stakes so high in the latest Avengers film, Spider-Man appears to be breaking out this shiny number to stop Thanos in his mad quest for power.
As long time comic fans know, this isn’t the first time Web-Head’s donned an armored suit, which brings me to the topic of this month’s Spider-Tracer. Join me as we take a look back at the many armored suits Spidey’s worn over the years.
For Spidey’s first armored suit, we journey back to 1993’s Web of Spider-Man #100. To combat the New Enforcers, Peter Parker used Empire State University’s resources to create a new bulletproof battle armor, but it was destroyed before the end of the centennial issue.
It’s just as well, since it seemed more restrictive on Spider-Man’s abilities, such as limiting how high he can jump due to the added weight. While you wouldn’t think that this suit would be very memorable due to its single comic appearance, its continued use in video games, toylines and the 90’s “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” cartoon have firmly cemented its place in the Spider-Man mythos.
Next, we take a look at the comic version of the Iron Spider armor. First appearing in Amazing Spider-Man #529 (2006), this armor was designed and built by Tony Stark of Iron Man fame and given to Peter as a gift shortly before the Superhuman Civil War.
The suit had a wide range of capabilities which included a filter in the mask, gliding, camouflage, and much more. A staple of this armor’s design was its three waldoes (later updated to four). Peter eventually gave up this armor when he switched from Pro to Anti-Regitration during the aforementioned Civil War. Since then, the armor and other versions of it were taken up by team of heroes calling themselves the Scarlet Spiders, Mary Jane Watson, and Miles Morales’ uncle, Aaron Davis.
Sometime later in Amazing Spider-Man #656, after losing his Spider-Sense, Peter created the yellow and black bulletproof armor to deal with the gun-toting villain Massacre.
Spidey also included a special magnetic webbing to interfere with Massacre’s deathtraps which were triggered by radio waves. By using his brain, Spidey was able to come out on top.
Shortly after this, in Amazing Spider-Man # 682 (during the “Ends of the Earth” storyline) Peter created another armored suit.
However, this costume was made specifically to combat the Sinister Six. It included, among other things, enhanced durability to deal with Rhino, Electro-proofing, a visor to see through Mysterio’s illusions, a device used to hear Chameleon’s specific heartbeat, and a helmet built with the intention to shut down Doctor Octopus’ technology.
Ever prepared, Doc Ock managed to use the helmet against Spider-Man and shut his armor down, which was, in effect, the suit’s greatest design flaw.
While the previous two suits were made using Horizon Labs’ resources, the next armor was created in Amazing Spider-Man #1, Volume 4 (2015) when Peter owned his own company, Parker Industries.
This suit contained a multitude of upgrades which included voice-activated web-shooters complete with variations on the web-fluid formula (such as acid and concrete webbing), temperature control, multiple sensors, enhanced strength, explosive spider-tracers, stealth modes, and much, much more.
The suit, however, was susceptible to EMP’s, which eventually led to its demise.
It’s obvious to see that the armor in “Avengers: Infinity War” is pulling most of its design from the Iron Spider and the Volume 4 Spider-Armor, with, perhaps, a dash of the spider symbol design from Ben Reilly’s Spider-Man costume. I personally think it’s a slick design, and can’t wait to see it in action in the film.
Which Spider-Armor is your favorite? Or do you feel that armor is something that Spider-Man should avoid using going forward? Let me know in the comments section below!
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I feel it noteworthy when discussing the Iron Spider costume to bring up that its entire existence was a plot device to nullify Peter’s ability to effect the story by beating Iron Man himself before the conclusion of the war. Its only significant contribution to the story was giving Tony the ability to manipulate Peter’s Spider-Sense, functionally disabling him in the one major conflict where they met face to face.
Whip it out if he needs it, but NO Iron Spider suit. BAD memories.
@N Jordan That would be the Spider-Man game for PS1
What video game is that first armored suit featured on?
MJ wore the Iron Spider best!
I’m half-and-half on the movie one. The gold is overkill and they could’ve made the big spider look better. I’m not sure I would call it “slick,” but to each his own.
I like the OG silver and black one. The simplicity works for me.
I think they all have cool designs (except the movie one which is kind of hideous to me) but it’s definitely not something I think Spidey should use generally, relying on such advanced tech just doesn’t feel in the spirit of the character.