The idea for a new costume for Spider-Man (which would later become the separate character Venom) was conceived of by a Marvel Comics reader from Norridge, Illinois named Randy Schueller.

It was writer Tom DeFalco and artist Ron Frenz who had established that the costume was a sentient alien being and also that it was vulnerable to high sonic energy during their run on The Amazing Spider-Man.

Al Milgrom took over scripting and art on sister title The Spectacular Spider-Man with issue #90 (May 1984) and worked on it through #100 (March 1985).

[5] Upon taking a serious look at sales figures for Marvel Team-Up, which featured Spider-Man partnering with a rotating guest character, Marvel's editorial staff found that sales dramatically rose or fell with each issue depending solely on the popularity of that issue's co-star.

[citation needed] Marvel Team-Up ended with issue #150 (February 1985), to be replaced by new series Web of Spider-Man.

This was launched with an April 1985 cover dated issue by writer Louise Simonson and penciller Greg LaRocque[5] The first issue featured a cover painting by artist Charles Vess, and contained the return of the alien black costume, which attempted to rebond with Peter Parker.

Later, Peter Parker's girlfriend Mary Jane Watson reveals she has known about his double life as Spider-Man for years.

Fantastic for help, and tests reveal the suit is a living symbiote that has bonded mentally and physically with Spider-Man, and that it is sensitive to sound.

Meanwhile, Rose hires the Hobgoblin to attack the Osborn Corporation and Spider-Man wears his old red-and-blue costume to stop him.