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Key issues & titles

Why is Amazing Spider-Man #129 a key issue?

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerAmazing Spider-Man #129 (February 1974) is the first appearance of the Punisher and of the Jackal, the villain behind the original Clone Saga. Gerry Conway wrote it, Ross Andru drew it and John Romita Sr. designed the Punisher's skull costume. It is one of the three headline Bronze Age keys with Incredible Hulk #181 and Giant-Size X-Men #1.

The story

The Jackal hires the Punisher to kill Spider-Man, framing him for a murder; the Punisher realises he has been used and walks away. The character was meant to be a one-off. Reader response brought him back in #134–135, and by the 1980s he carried his own titles.

Two keys in one

  • The Punisher — the reason the book is expensive.
  • The Jackal — Miles Warren, who returns in #148–149 with the first Spider-Man clone and drives the 1990s Clone Saga.

Collecting notes

  • Marvel Value Stamp: the issue contains one; a cut stamp means a qualified label.
  • Grade curve: 9.8 copies carry a very large premium over 9.4 and 9.6, because high-grade survivors are limited.
  • Reprints: Marvel Tales, a 1990s reprint, and modern facsimiles exist.

A CBCS 8.5 copy is in the store. See First appearance of the Punisher, the Punisher character page and the Spider-Man character page.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

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