Marvel’s Friendly Neighborhood Hero, Peter Parker’s Iron Spider costume being one of the web-slinger’s most memorable and recognizable outfits, all thanks to the tech-billionaire genius Tony Stark. It’s been almost two decades since this iconic design debuted in comics, but why exactly did Spider-Man stop wearing the Iron Spider costume, and equally as important, where is it now?

Premiering in 2006’s Amazing Spider-Man #529, by J. Michael Straczynski and Ron Garney, the Iron Spider was created by Tony Stark around the tumultuous time in Marvel Comics that was Civil War, and was officially given to Spider-Man for his of the Superhuman Registration Act after he revealed his secret identity to the world.

Resembling Iron Man's red and gold armor, the Iron Spider was equipped with mechanical spider-legs or “waldoes,” had enhanced strength, limited gliding capabilities, bulletproof material, adaptive lenses, and more, and was exclusively worn by Peter until he defected to Captain America’s anti-registration Secret Avengers team.

Spider-Man Lost Ownership of the Iron Spider Suit and Hasn’t Worn It Since

The Iron Spider Suit Was Adapted into Live-Action in 2018's Avengers: Infinity War

Essentially abandoning the Iron Spider suit when he switched sides, Spider-Man spent most of the aftermath of Civil War in hiding and on the outs with Tony, ensuring that he couldn't get close to the Iron Spider even if he tried. After Tony repossessed the costume, Tony sold Stark Tower to Qeng Enterprises, subsequently losing ownership of the suit. But that didn’t stop this inventive design and the general idea of this super versatile spider suit from being used more than a few times in Marvel lore since, most notably by people decidedly not named Peter Parker.

A costume template by which Stark created a trio of law enforcers dubbed the Scarlet Spiders for his post-Civil War Initiative program, the Iron Spider suit was also briefly worn by Doc Ock’s Superior Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, Ben Reilly, and more recently, Miles Morales' Uncle Aaron aka the Prowler, who bought an upgraded Iron Spider armor for his own criminal means. Additionally, Miles received a nanite version of the suit courtesy of Tony Stark during 2023's Extreme Carnage storyline, turning this apparent one-and-done design into something far more important for more than just Peter’s OG Spider-Man.

The Iron Spider Has Been Briefly Revived Thanks to Multiple Spider-Man-Related Characters

Adapted into live-action for Avengers: Infinity War as well as given multiple alternate skins in various Spider-Man video games, the Iron Spider outfit has transcended its comic book roots to become something of a Marvel Comics touchstone, making the impact of this suit felt both on a visual and storytelling level. Though Peter Parker’s Spider-Man hasn’t donned the Iron Spider suit for quite some time, it’s still been seen consistently enough in comics that fans should never say never, especially with Peter returning to his black symbiote-suited look in the pages of the current Venom War event.