Reading guide · 2001
Coming Home: reading guide and where to read it
Everything you need to read Coming Home: the issues in order, what it is about without spoilers, why it matters, and the books in print today.
Read Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #30–35 (2001), by J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr., then keep going: #36–38 follow directly. The whole run is in Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski Omnibus Vol. 1.
- Published
- 2001
- Length
- 6 issues
- By
- J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr.
- Good for new readers?
- Yes. It was designed as a jumping-on point, with Peter starting a new job and a new chapter.
- Start with
- Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski Omnibus Vol. 1
Reading order
In this order. The notes are spoiler-free.
| # | Read | Year | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #30–35 | 2001 | Coming Home: Peter becomes a teacher at his old high school, meets Ezekiel, and is hunted by Morlun. |
| 2 | Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #36 | 2001 | Marvel's response to the September 11 attacks. |
| 3 | Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #37–38 | 2002 | Aunt May knows. The issues where she and Peter finally talk about who he is. |
What it's about
Peter Parker goes back to Midtown High, this time as a science teacher. A mysterious older man named Ezekiel, who has the same powers, tells him the spider bite may not have been an accident, and that something is coming for people like them. Then Morlun arrives: an ageless hunter who feeds on spider-totems, and who cannot be beaten in a fair fight.
Why it matters
Straczynski's six-year run was the biggest change to Spider-Man in decades, and it starts here. Coming Home introduced Morlun, who returns as the heart of Spider-Verse (2014), and the run went on to give Aunt May the secret at last. John Romita Jr., son of the artist who defined Spider-Man in the 1960s, drew its early years.
Where to read it
The first half of the run
Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #30–58, #500–514 and #509 Director's Cut
Hardcover, 1,120 pages (2022 printing).
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Who would win?
The characters at the heart of this story, rated one-on-one under this site's fight rules.
What to read before and after
- The Clone SagaRead before · 1994–96More than 100 issues
- One More Day and Brand New DayRead next · 2007–084 issues
- Spider-VerseRead next · 2014–15About 40 issues
Questions and answers
What issues are Coming Home?
Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #30–35 (2001), by J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr.
Who is Morlun?
An ancient hunter who feeds on people with animal-totem powers, introduced in Coming Home. He returns as one of the Inheritors in Spider-Verse (2014).
Where can I read Coming Home?
In Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski Omnibus Vol. 1, which collects Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #30–58 and #500–514. It is also on Marvel Unlimited.
All Spider-Man reading guides · The essential Spider-Man comics, in order