Web of Spider-Man #79 1991 VF+

Web of Spider-Man #79, published by Marvel in August 1991, kicks off a two-part story arc titled "First Blood." Written by Terry Kavanagh with art by Alex Saviuk, this issue is a key entry in the Copper Age of comics and is notable for introducing a new team of cybernetic foes.

Plot Summary: "First Blood"

The story begins with Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson Parker enjoying a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park. Their peace is shattered when they are ambushed by the Silver Squad, a group of high-tech mercenaries.

• The Conflict: The mercenaries threaten Mary Jane to force Peter to reveal his connection to Spider-Man. Peter manages to slip away and suit up as Spider-Man to defend her.
• The Reveal: During the battle, Spider-Man discovers the "mercenaries" are actually androids built by the Tinkerer.
• The Mastermind: The issue ends with a weakened Spider-Man being taken prisoner by the last remaining android, Ripster, who delivers him to his old enemy—the cyborg mobster Silvermane.

Character Debuts

This issue features the first appearance of the Silver Squad, a team of android mercenaries created to harvest Spider-Man's blood. The members include:

• Ripster (the primary antagonist of this issue)
• Slambeaux
• Twit
• Purty Larry