Spiral first appeared in issue #1 of the 1985 ''[[Longshot (Marvel Comics)|Longshot]]'' [[Limited series (comics)|miniseries]] by [[Ann Nocenti]] and [[Art Adams]] (though her alter ego Ricochet Rita did not debut until the second issue of the series), and subsequently appeared 2two months later as a member of [[Mystique (comics)|Mystique's]] [[Freedom Force (comics)|Freedom Force]] team in ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #199.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men'' #199</ref> Spiral began as one of 20 minor characters that Adams designed on a character sheet as the pursuers of the character Longshot.<ref name=ComicsInterview>[[Kraft, David Anthony]] (1987). ''[[Comics Interview]]'' #46 (1987). [[Fictioneer Books]]. pp. 16 - 27.</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Ash|first=Roger |title=Ann Nocenti and Arthur Adams Bet on a Longshot|journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=29 |pages=26–31|publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date=August 2008|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> Her six arms were inspired by deities in [[Hindu mythology]].<ref name=MarvelAge>"Art Adams interview". "The Mutant Report". Volume 3. ''[[Marvel Age]]'' #71 (February 1989). Marvel Comics. pp. 12 - 15.</ref> Although Adams gave little thought to Spiral, as he had developed ideas for the other characters he had drawn on the sheet, Nocenti decided to make her a major character, and gave her the name Spiral.<ref name=ComicsInterview/> The character sheet is reproduced in the back of the ''X-Men: Longshot'' hardcover collection.<ref>[[Nocenti, Ann]] (w), [[Adams, Art]] (p), [[Portacio, Whilce]]; Anderson, Brent Eric (i). ''X-Men: Longshot''. 1989. Marvel Comics.</ref>
In the final issue of the limited series, Spiral is hinted to be a former lover of Longshot.<ref>Nocenti, Ann (w), Adams, Arth (p), Portacio, Whilce (i). "A Snake Coils". ''Longshot'' #6 (February 1986). Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Chris Claremont]] portrayed her as having a pathological hatred for Longshot, and implied that the two were former lovers during a hallucinatory dream sequence in ''Uncanny X-Men'' #248.<ref>Uncanny X-Men #248</ref>
