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Comics : Database Notes

Here you will find the explanation of the various symbols, categories and keywords used throughout this database:

Inclusion Guidelines

What is included in the Complete Spider-Man Comics Database? Here are our guidelines.

  1. Peter Parker/Spider-Man appearances only, Ben counts as he is basically the same guy. Issues with Spider-women, Venom, or other related characters will not be featured unless they have their own title, which appears in the imitators and spin-offs section.

  2. Any 'alternate' forms of Peter Parker/Spider-Man are also included. This includes alternate worlds and timelines such as What If, Earth X, Exiles, etc.

  3. A "fake" Spider-Man counts, e.g. an animated robot, a burglar wearing a Spider-Man costume. The test is "does anybody, including the reader, believe at any time that the appearance is the real Spider-Man?" If so, the appearance accounts as a Spider-Man appearance.

Books and novels can typically be judged by the same criteria as comics. Records (without associated comics), games and computer software are typically excluded. Industry magazines and other marginal appearances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the staff to determine if it is relevant enough for an "average devoted Spiderfan" to include in their collection.

These list include only original material, and some U.S. based, English-language re-presented reprints. Specifically excluded from this database are:

  1. Compilations/Reprints of guest appearances (Too removed)
  2. Previews in Catalogs like Marvel Previews, CSN, etc. (Too many)
  3. Foreign-language reprints. (Too hard to collect)
  4. Australian reprints. (Also too hard)
  5. Signed cover variants. (They're a rip-off)
  6. Remarked variants. (Also a rip-off)
  7. Printing error variants. (Too hard to collect)

Title Graphics Key

The title indexes use the following graphics icons to indicate the completeness of the available title information.

  (All/Some) entries have cover scans.
  (All/Some) entries have cover date information.
  (All/Some) entries have artist/writer credit information.
  (All/Some) entries have been reviewed.
  Title is a reprint, reviews are not applicable.

Appearance Levels

Each entry in this database is graded into one of the following appearance levels, of increasing importance. If a comic qualifies for two categories, then the highest applicable catagory prevails.

  1. No Spidey: Spider-Man does not appear in this book/comic.
  2. SM in Backup: Spider-Man appears in one or more backup stories.
  3. SM Reprint: Spider-Man appears in a reprint title.
  4. SM Reference: A reference only, e.g. "Spidey on T-Shirt", "Spider-Man Photo".
  5. SM Preview: A preview of an upcoming story, e.g. in Previews or Wizard.
  6. SM Article: A non-fiction article concerning the Spider-Man character.
  7. SM Spin-Off App: A Spider-Man spin-off character guest stars.
  8. SM Spin-Off: A Spider-Man spin-off character owns this title.
  9. SM Cover: Spider-Man appears only on the cover of this book/comic.
  10. SM Cameo: Spider-Man has a single-panel appearance.
  11. SM Guest: Spider-Man appears in a series not essentially his own.
  12. SM Title: A title predominantly concerned with Spider-Man.
Note: Many Spidey collectors do not collect "Spider-Man References", but we include those that we come across. We may add more references over time, though references are NOT included in our counts of "issues needing review".

Comic/Book Values

Values where shown are typical approximate 'Near Mint' values in U.S. Dollars. Comics grading and valuation is a specialist subject, and comics prices may vary greatly over time and for a number of other factors. No guarantee of accuracy, timeliness, or fitness for purpose is given or implied with these indicative values.

Our near mint value estimates are compiled from many sources. Pricing for current 'in-demand' titles is adapted with kind permission from ComicsPriceGuide.Com - a great on-line comic valuation web-site. Valuations for commonly available modern titles are typically given at or around cover price.

Other prices, particulary for odd-ball items like commercial giveaways, coloring books, etc. is based on information provided by specialist Spider-Man collectors on our staff, based on private trading prices, convention prices, and prices from auction sites such as eBay and Amazon.

In the final analysis, a comic is worth whatever somebody is prepared to pay. Dealers will typically sell at these listed values, adjusted for Comic Grade. Dealers will typically purchase for 20%-70% of sale value. Enjoy collecting, buy and sell with care.

Please do not contact us with questions on Grading and Valuation - we do not have the resources to help. Please do not contact us with requests to Buy Comics, the comics shown on this site are not for sale.

Review Ratings

One Web: This book sucked big time. Don't waste your cash unless you're a devoted completist. Probably the plot was stupid and the art was unimpressive.

Two Webs: This book was a bit lame, with very little to redeem itself. Probably a formula plot with dumb villains. If you're a casual Spidey buyer, you'll probably want to miss it.

Three Webs: Average stuff. No shame in receiving three webs - since it is often relative to the current quality of a title. A three web book is an average, competent issue.

Four Webs: A good comic book - intelligent plot with good art. Something noticibly better than the rest. Well worth the money to have a copy to read a couple of times.

Five Webs: Excellent stuff! Doesn't have to be the best book of the year, but has to be something which restores your faith in comic books. You can pretty much bet that anything which scores Five webs has nothing to do with Clones, and isn't part of a massive crossover!

SMURF Codes

A SMURF code is a Spider-Man Universe Reading Flow code. It is of the form of a pair of three digit numbers NNN.MMM which define the reading continuity typically relative to Amazing Spider-Man. Usually, Amazing Spider-Man receives the 500 sub-code. e.g. The SMURF code for ASM #207 is "207.500". The best-recommended reading continuity is then in numerical order of SMURF code.

In theory, no two issues should have the same SMURF code. Note that the SMURF code for a backup story will be different than for the main story in an issue. Variant covers should inherit the same SMURF code as the standard cover. Issues which have no correlation to the "mainstream" Marvel Universe are not covered by this system.

We are currently in the process of setting up our SMURF code system, and we have a "work in progress" Spider-Man Continuity Guide. Please Mail Us if you are willing to help enter SMURF codes for issues which do not currently have them.

This page is Un-Official. It is not associated with Marvel. It uses content copyright by Marvel, Without Permission. This material is used for the purposes of informed discussion, and is not intended to interfere with Marvel's right to use said material for their own commercial goals.