WASHINGTON - BEFORE Barack Obama is sworn in as president and becomes wrapped in the web of US and global politics, he will spin a yarn with Spider-Man in a brand new comic book adventure, Marvel Comics announced on Thursday.

'To celebrate the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama, Marvel is proud to present an all-new story teaming up one of the world's most recognisable political figures with the world's greatest super hero,' Marvel said in a statement posted on its website.

Marvel decided to publish the Obama meets Spidey comic, which goes on sale next week, after learning the soon-to-be president of the United States is a long-time fan of the web-spinning super hero.

'When we heard that President-elect Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics' Marvel Universe,' said Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada.

'A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man,' he said.

The story takes place in Washington on Jan 20, the day of Mr Obama's inauguration, and involves one of Spider-Man's oldest foes trying to prevent Mr Obama taking the oath of office, according to Marvel.

The comic - number 583 in the Amazing Spider-Man series - will go on sale on Jan 14. -- AFP