Mar 1, 1988 CE
First Appearance in Web of Spider-Man #36
Tombstone debuts as a henchman extorting Robbie Robertson. Created by Gerry Conway and Alex Saviuk. #marvel #villain #spiderman )
Chronological Storyline (40 Milestones)
Apr 1, 1988 CE
Origin Revealed in Web of Spider-Man #37
Lonnie Thompson's backstory: born an albino in Harlem, he files his teeth and develops rock-hard skin due to a rare condition. #marvel #origin )
May 1, 1988 CE
First Battle with Spider-Man
Spider-Man intervenes in Tombstone's extortion of Robbie Robertson leading to a physical confrontation. #spiderman #fight )
Jul 1, 1988 CE
Gains Super Strength from Diox-3 Gas
Tombstone is exposed to Diox-3 gas during a lab accident, granting him superhuman strength. #superstrength #villain )
Sep 1, 1988 CE
Becomes Harlem Crime Boss
After gaining power, Tombstone takes over criminal operations in Harlem, becoming a major underworld figure. #crimeboss #harlem )
Sep 1, 1988 CE
Files Teeth as Intimidation
Tombstone files his teeth to a sharp point, enhancing his fearsome appearance. #intimidation )
Feb 1, 1989 CE
Imprisoned by Spider-Man
Spider-Man captures Tombstone, sending him to prison. #imprisonment )
May 1, 1989 CE
Extorts Robbie Robertson Again
After his first defeat, Tombstone attempts to renew his extortion of Robertson. #extortion )
Jun 1, 1990 CE
Released from Prison
Tombstone is released and quickly reestablishes his criminal network. #comeback )
Mar 1, 1991 CE
Battles the Punisher
The Punisher targets Tombstone's operations, leading to a violent clash. #punisher #crossover )
Apr 1, 1992 CE
Cameo in Daredevil #320
Tombstone appears as a background crime lord in a Daredevil storyline. #daredevil )
Nov 1, 1992 CE
Works Under Kingpin
For a brief period, Tombstone serves as an enforcer for Kingpin. #kingpin #henchman )
May 1, 1993 CE
Apparent Death in Spectacular Spider-Man #200
Tombstone is seemingly killed by Spider-Man during a confrontation. #death )
Aug 1, 1994 CE
Appears in Punisher War Journal #50
Tombstone fights the Punisher in a special issue. #punisher )
Jul 1, 1995 CE
Posthumous Reference in Spider-Man: The Animated Series
Tombstone is mentioned but not seen in the animated series, hinting at his comic fate. #animatedseries )
Jul 1, 2005 CE
Cameo in The Pulse #14
Tombstone is revealed to be alive, setting up his return. #resurrection )
Oct 1, 2006 CE
Return Tease in Civil War #2
A brief mention of Tombstone in a list of villains. #civilwar )
Apr 1, 2010 CE
Official Return in The Gauntlet: Tombstone #1
Tombstone fully returns in a three-issue mini-series, revealing he faked his death. #return #gauntlet )
May 1, 2010 CE
Rebuilds Criminal Empire
After return, Tombstone reasserts dominance over Harlem's underworld. #empire )
Jun 1, 2010 CE
Builds New Criminal Network
After return, Tombstone expands his operations to other boroughs. #criminalnetwork )
Sep 1, 2010 CE
Uncanny X-Men Crossover Cameo
Tombstone appears briefly in the 'Second Coming' storyline alongside other villains. #xmen )
Jul 1, 2011 CE
Fight with Black Cat
Tombstone clashes with the Black Cat over territory in Amazing Spider-Man #664. #blackcat )
Feb 1, 2012 CE
Gang War Storyline Begins
Tombstone becomes a key player in the 'Gang War' arc in Amazing Spider-Man #676. #gangwar )
May 1, 2012 CE
Fights the Wrecking Crew
During Gang War, Tombstone battles the Wrecking Crew for territory. #wreckingcrew )
Mar 1, 2013 CE
Clash with Superior Spider-Man
Tombstone fights the Superior Spider-Man (Otto Octavius) in Superior Spider-Man #8. #superiorspiderman )
Jan 1, 2014 CE
Appears in Original Sin Tie-In
Tombstone is among villains affected by the Watcher's death in Original Sin. #originalsin )
Oct 1, 2015 CE
Appears in Secret Empire Tie-In
Tombstone appears in a Secret Empire tie-in issue, dealing with Hydra's takeover. #secretempire )
May 1, 2016 CE
Involved in Spider-Man/Deadpool #6
Tombstone appears in a humorous crossover with Deadpool. #deadpool )
Apr 1, 2017 CE
Role in 'Hunted' Storyline
Tombstone is among the villains hunted by Kraven the Hunter in Amazing Spider-Man #16-18. #hunted #kraven )
Jun 1, 2018 CE
Appears in Amazing Spider-Man #800
Tombstone is part of the milestone issue #800 storyline. #milestone )
Nov 1, 2018 CE
Featured in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #42
Tombstone is the main antagonist in the annual issue. #annual )
Sep 1, 2019 CE
Featured in 'Sinister War'
Tombstone participates in the Sinister War event, fighting alongside other villains. #sinisterwar )
Aug 1, 2020 CE
Appears in 'Last Remains' Arc
Tombstone is involved in the Last Remains storyline, dealing with Kindred. #lastremains )
Jul 1, 2021 CE
Daughter Janice Lincoln Introduced
Janice Lincoln, later the Beetle, is revealed as Tombstone's daughter in Amazing Spider-Man #71. #family )
Jan 1, 2022 CE
Alliance with Kingpin
Tombstone briefly allies with Wilson Fisk to control crime in New York. #kingpin #alliance )
Apr 1, 2022 CE
Team-Up with Green Goblin
Tombstone temporarily teams up with Norman Osborn for a heist. #greengoblin )
May 1, 2023 CE
Gang War 2023 Begins
Tombstone is a central figure in the 2023 Gang War storyline across multiple Spider-Man titles. #gangwar2023 )
Jul 1, 2023 CE
Killed in Gang War #3
Tombstone is killed during the climax of Gang War by an unknown assailant. #death )
Aug 1, 2023 CE
Legacy in Gang War Aftermath
Following his death, Tombstone's empire is divided among other crime lords. #legacy )
Mar 1, 2024 CE
Posthumous Appearances in Flashbacks
Tombstone continues to appear in flashbacks and holographic recordings in subsequent issues. #flashback )