Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham #12

Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham #12 was published in 1986 as part of Marvel Comics' Star Comics imprint. Created during a period when Marvel sought to expand its reach to younger readers through lighthearted, humorous parodies, the series centered on the anthropomorphic adventures of Peter Porker, a spider who gained powers after being bitten by a radioactive pig. The character was initially introduced in a one-shot special in 1983 before receiving his own bimonthly title.

The issue features the whimsical, self-referential writing style characteristic of the series, which often poked fun at traditional superhero tropes while maintaining a dedicated internal logic. Tom DeFalco and Larry Hama were among the key figures who steered the tone of the Star Comics line, favoring a cartoonish aesthetic that moved away from the grim sensibilities found in mainstream Marvel titles of the mid-eighties. The title was eventually canceled after fifteen issues, though the character has seen a significant resurgence in popularity in recent years through film and animation.