Marvel Archive Edition: Amazing Spider-Man - The Black Costume: Year One Gallery Edition Charles Vess Hidden Gem Cover HC [DM Only]

THE CLASSIC SAGA OF PETER PARKER AND HIS SYMBIOTE SUIT, BOLDLY RE-PRESENTED IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM, ADS AND ALL! When Spider-Man makes his homecoming from the super-hero Secret Wars, he returns with a miraculous new outfit: a striking black-and-white costume that morphs and responds to his very thoughts, allowing him to change back to Peter Parker at will! It also makes him stronger than ever, with an unlimited supply of webbing – ideal for taking on new threats like the Rose and the Puma! But could this miraculous article of alien clothing have a mind of its own? As the days pass, Spidey soon discovers there’s more to his new costume than he at first realized: It’s actually an alien symbiote, out to bond with him permanently! Featuring the Black Cat, the Fantastic Four, the Hobgoblin and a shocking revelation from Mary Jane Watson! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #252-263 FACSIMILE EDITIONS and Bonus Cover Gallery!

Language: English
Page Count: 488
Size (in inches): 9.25 x 13.00
Size (in cm): 23.50 x 33.02
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels - Superheroes (See Also Fiction - Superheroes)
Creator(s): (W) Tom DeFalco; Marvel Various (A) Ron Frenz; Marvel Various (CA) Charles Vess
On-Sale Date: July 22, 2025

Omar’s Key Takeaways

1. A Premium Nostalgia Trip
Omar highlights how this new format is more than a hardcover. It’s designed to recreate the original experience, with full ads, letter columns, and all the vintage charm of the original printings.

“Marvel is bringing us a new format with their Archive Edition… a nostalgic journey through the most dynamic periods in Marvel’s history.”

2. The Black Costume Story Reintroduced the Right Way
This volume gives you Peter Parker’s first year with the alien suit, exactly as it was published. Omar appreciates how the facsimile presentation enhances the story’s original rhythm and tone.

“When Spider-Man returns from the Secret Wars, he’s got a new look. The costume is sleek, powerful, and responsive… but there’s something off. As readers, we now know it’s a symbiote, but back then it felt mysterious and thrilling.”

3. Archival Love and Shelf Presence
Omar is impressed by the oversized design and the extras that make this edition feel like an art object. From cover galleries to creator spotlights, it’s a collector-focused release that respects the material.

“This hardcover includes full-page covers, ads, letter columns, and bonus content that really puts you back in that era. It’s not about remixing the past. It’s about preserving it.”