Spider-Man #16, published in November 1991, is a significant "Copper Age" key issue. It is most famous for being the final issue written and illustrated by Todd McFarlane for Marvel Comics before he left to co-found Image Comics.
The Story: "Sabotage" (Part 1)
This issue is the first half of a two-part crossover with X-Force (concluding in X-Force #4).
- The Conflict: Spider-Man is swinging past the World Trade Center when Black Tom Cassidy detonates an explosion on the top floors.
- The Team-Up: Spidey joins forces with X-Force (including Cable, Shatterstar, and Cannonball) to battle the nigh-unstoppable Juggernaut.
- Key Moments: The story features a brutal sequence where Shatterstar stabs Juggernaut in the eye, which causes an enraged Juggernaut to collapse one of the towers onto the heroes.
Unique Features
- Sideways Format: To maximize the scope of the action, the entire issue is printed in a horizontal "widescreen" layout—readers must turn the comic sideways to read it.
- Todd’s Farewell: The cover features a small speech balloon from Spider-Man saying goodbye to Todd, marking his "swan song" at Marvel.