Marvel’s Friendly Neighborhood Hero,Spider-Man, has almost as many specialized suits as Iron Man has unique armor sets, withPeter Parker’sIron Spidercostumebeing one of the web-slinger’s most memorable and recognizable outfits, all thanks to the tech-billionaire genius Tony Stark. It’s been almost two decades since this iconic design debuted in comics, butwhy exactly did Spider-Man stop wearing the Iron Spider costume, and equally as important, where is it now?
Premiering in 2006’sAmazing Spider-Man #529, by J. Michael Straczynski and Ron Garney, theIron Spider was created by Tony Stark around the tumultuous time in Marvel Comics that wasCivil War, and was officiallygiven to Spider-Man for his support of the Superhuman Registration Actafter he revealed his secret identity to the world.
Resembling Iron Man’s red and gold armor, the Iron Spider was equipped with mechanical spider-legs or “waldoes,” had enhanced strength, limited gliding capabilities, bulletproof material, adaptive lenses, and more, and wasexclusively worn by Peter until he defected to Captain America’s anti-registration Secret Avengers team.
Miles Morales' Iron Spider Suit is More Powerful Than Peter Parker’s
Miles Morales has his own Iron Spider now, but rather than copy/paste the original Spider-Man’s, this suit has a specific usage that makes it better.
Spider-Man Lost Ownership of the Iron Spider Suit and Hasn’t Worn It Since
The Iron Spider Suit Was Adapted into Live-Action in 2018’sAvengers: Infinity War
Essentiallyabandoning the Iron Spider suitwhen he switched sides, Spider-Man spent most of the aftermath ofCivil Warin hiding and on the outs with Tony, ensuring that he couldn’t get close to the Iron Spider even if he tried. After Tony repossessed the costume,Tony sold Stark Tower to Qeng Enterprises, subsequently losing ownership of the suit. But that didn’t stop this inventive design and the general idea of this super versatile spider suit from being used more than a few times in Marvel lore since, most notably by people decidedly not named Peter Parker.
A costume template by which Stark created a trio of law enforcers dubbed the Scarlet Spiders for his post-Civil WarInitiative program, the Iron Spider suit was also briefly worn by Doc Ock’s Superior Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, Ben Reilly, and more recently, Miles Morales' Uncle Aaron aka the Prowler, who bought an upgraded Iron Spider armor for his own criminal means. Additionally,Miles received a nanite version of the suitcourtesy of Tony Stark during 2023’sExtreme Carnagestoryline, turning this apparent one-and-done design into something far more important for more than just Peter’s OG Spider-Man.
The Iron Spider Has Been Briefly Revived Thanks to Multiple Spider-Man-Related Characters
Adapted into live-action forAvengers: Infinity Waras well as given multiple alternate skins in variousSpider-Manvideo games,the Iron Spider outfit has transcended its comic book roots to become something of a Marvel Comics touchstone, making the impact of this suit felt both on a visual and storytelling level. Though Peter Parker’sSpider-Manhasn’t donned theIron Spidersuit for quite some time, it’s still been seen consistently enough in comics that fans should never say never, especially with Peter returning to his black symbiote-suited look in the pages of the currentVenom Warevent.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
