Amazing Spider-Man #252

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Marvel (1984)
First Appearance Black Costume, First Appearance of Symbiote, Venom Preamble

Amazing Spider-Man #252 (1984) is one of those issues that looks ordinary at first glance… until you realize it changed Spider-Man and Marvel history forever. Here’s why collectors chase it so hard:

1. First Appearance of the Black Suit in Mainline Continuity

This is the first time the black costume appears in Amazing Spider-Man, the core flagship title.  In continuity, this is where Peter returns from the events of Secret Wars #8 wearing the new suit.

Even though Secret Wars #8 shows the origin of the suit, ASM #252 came out months earlier, making this the actual first published appearance of the black symbiote suit.

That’s the #1 reason the book is a key.
 

2. The Black Suit Eventually Becomes Venom

This issue introduces the alien costume that will eventually:

• Bond with Eddie Brock

• Become Venom

• Spawn Carnage and countless symbiotes

• Create one of the most important Spider-Man villains of the modern era

ASM #252 is essentially the “birth of the symbiote saga” which spawned so many characters, comics and films over the following decades.

 

3. Iconic Cover (Homage to Amazing Fantasy #15)

The cover is a modern reinterpretation of Spider-Man’s first appearance:

• Same pose

• Same angle

• Weighted background

• But with the black suit

It’s easily one of the most homaged modern covers, and collectors love that historical link.
 

4. Released Before Secret Wars #8

Even though Secret Wars #8 reveals how Peter got the suit,
Amazing Spider-Man #252 came out first, along with:
Marvel Team-Up #141
Spectacular Spider-Man #90

All three of those hit shelves the same week.

ASM #252 is the flagship title, so it’s the one that gets the most attention and value.

 

5. Beginning of a Major Era in Spider-Man Lore

This issue begins:

• The black suit era

• The “Alien Costume Saga”

• The eventual separation of Peter and the symbiote

• The Venom storyline years later

It’s one of the most influential arcs of the 1980s.

 

6. Strong Bronze/Copper Age Key

ASM #252 is consistently one of:

• The most in-demand ASM keys of the 1980s

• One of the top five Copper Age Spider-Man keys

• A book that is getting more important as symbiotes stay popular in movies and games

 

9.2 NM
Pages: White
CGC 4453354001

Art: Roger Stern & Tom DeFalco story Ron Frenz & Brett Breeding art Ron Frenz & Klaus Janson cover


Key: Ties with Marvel Team-Up #141 for 1st appearance of the black costume. Amazing Fantasy #15 cover homage.