Spider-Man, we all know the name. He is off course the flagship hero for Marvel Comics and has been since the late 1960’s and has recently enjoyed his fifth outing in cinematic form. For many of those out there that watched “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” it would’ve been their first look into the life of a character they may have been aware of but never really knew about from the comics. Here I present for those who wish to now explore the extended world of Spider-Man a list of the best stories that display within their pages the character that I feel best encapsulate the ethos of the man Marvel have dubbed “The World’s Greatest Superhero”
Spider-Man
Amazing Fantasy #15
Written by Stan Lee & Steve DItko
Debuting within the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15 in
August 1962 was the origin story of Spider-Man. The tale of how Peter Parker, a
teenager at high school gained super human abilities including those of a
spider is by now a well-known story. After all how many times have we seen it
happen Boy goes to science fare, spider gets irradiated, spider bites boy, boy
becomes Spider-Man. a classic tale.
The story itself is almost the perfect origin
story producing a character that the reader can identify with, as it shows
Peter Parker at first cashing in on his powers until tragedy befalls his uncle
who is killed by a man that Spider-Man could and should have apprehended during
a crime. However fate decreed Peter Parker’s selfish action should be punished.
Thus a life lesson is learned. Not only for the character but for the reader as
well.
Due to the cost finding a readable copy of Amazing
Fantasy #15 in today’s market is likely to set you back a couple of Thousand
dollars, it’d be more practical for new readers to pick it up in various guises
the best value of which would be "Essential Spider-Man Volume 1"
If This Be My Destiny
Amazing Spider-Man #31 - #33
Written by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko This is another essential read for the Spider-enthusiast has
to be the truly magnificent “If this be my destiny” arc.
Regarded by many as Steve Ditko’s finest work on
Spider-Man, the story itself bridges the gap of high school Peter Parker to
college student. A true classic story in every sense of the word.
This Story
arc has it all and the bar had also been raised with Lee’s writing and Ditko’s
artwork.
Within the pages continues the story of Peter
Parker’s daily struggles. Not only does he find himself criticised for the
quality of his photography by J.J.Jameson, whilst also dealing with the
stressful nature of managing both college studies and rushing into action as
Spider-Man there’s the added complication of Aunt May’s failing health
following a blood transfusion with Peter which inadvertently causes her to
suffer from radiation poisoning.
There’s also a new
master criminal on the scene, one who has in his possession the only serum that
could possibly save Aunt May’s life.
Beloved by all Spider-Man fans mainly for
the iconic imagery provided by the pencil of Steve Ditko during the pages of
Amazing Spider-Man #33 where a two page splash brilliantly depicts tension,
emotion, desire and determination to succeed in order to get the serum to
Doctor Connor’s (Yes that Doctor Connors) and potentially save Aunt May’s life.
The reader is given a glimpse into the psyche of Spider-Man as he verbalises
his fears about failure, reveals the inner turmoil that drives him on illustrated
by the incredible artwork by Ditko
The cost of obtaining these three issues can now
run into the hundreds of dollars range but as with the origin tale has been
reproduced in a number of formats for the new reader. This story is reprinted in Marvel Masterworks #16.
How Green Was My Goblin/ The End Of The Green Goblin
Amazing Spider-Man #39 - #40
Written by Stan Lee & John Romita Sr
The Story arc that really cemented The Green
Goblin’s position as Spider-Man’s arch nemesis, is also one that sees Peter
Parker’s toughest challenge in his short career as the webbed crime fighter.
The age old tale of what to do when your best friend’s dad is also your own
worst nightmare.
This story arc is not the only entry in this list
for Gobby but is definitely the definitive encounter, as the revelations from
this arc are the catalyst for what sets the tone in battles between Spider-Man
and The Green Goblin until the present day.
The story reveals that the Goblin’s main plot is to
discover Spider-Man’s secret identity and use that knowledge to expose who
Spider-Man really is ridding him as an obstacle to the Goblin’s plans to rule
the New York Crime world. He captures Peter Parker and takes him back to his
waterfront base where it’s revealed that the Green Goblin is in fact Norman
Osborn.
It is believed by some that the outing of Norman
Osborn as The Green Goblin is the reason that Steve Ditko abruptly resigned from the book in 1966 (it is
rumoured he wanted the Goblin to be revealed as Ned Leeds), leaving Jazzy John
Romita Sr to take over the pencils.
As with all early issues the cost of picking up
separate copies can range in the hundreds so why not read this in Marvel
Masterworks #16.
The Night Gwen Stacy Died
Amazing Spider-Man #121 - #122
Written By Gerry Conway & Gil Kane
Admit it, you saw this one coming. After-all this is
the issue that changed it all. Nothing after the events of Amazing Spider-Man
#121 would quite ever feel the same again.
It
also is the second Green Goblin Story on this list, but what a story. I mean we’re
all used to fanboy’s today decrying the demise of a beloved character it’s what
the internet was created for well that, and a well-known Avenue Q song.
Back in 1973 however the only forums for fan outcry
was the letters page. Marvel were in-undated with angry fanboys and girls
demanding Gwen be somehow brought back to life.
It illustrates just how much power comics and great
stories can have over the readers lives, and they’ don’t come much more
powerful that Amazing Spider-Man #121. It is remarkable that Gerry Conway the
writer was just 21 when he penned the story and yet the balance of tension and
emotion, both anger and pain captured on the page belies his age.
Here for the first time a major supporting character
had been killed off and even the ambiguity
of the circumstances of her death have had fans enraged, angered, lauding and
debating for many years, although in the corridors of power at Marvel Comics
the blame has been squarely laid at Peter Parker’s feet, although to be fair it
was a complete no-win situation.
I defy anyone alive and vested in the character not
to shed a tear in the beautiful closing of Amazing Spider-Man #122. When a
grief stricken and enraged Peter Parker yells at Mary Jane Watson. Telling her
to get out and leave him alone before breaking down. It is the scene where MJ
Watson becomes elevated from Party girl to something with a little more
substance.
Unless you’ve a spare $150-$200 lying around then
you’d be better off picking this story up in Marvel Tales #98, #192 and Essential Spider-Man #6
Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut
Amazing Spider-Man #229 - #230
Written by Roger Stern & John Romita Jr
What happens when unstoppable force meets immovable
object……..or should that be unshakable obstacle?
This Roger Stern written story pencilled by John
Romita Jr gives us the answer. Widely regarded by all Spider-Man fans it sits
firmly in the top five of greatest Spider-Man stories of all time and was also
voted by users of Comicbookresources.com to be the second best Roger Stern
story ever.
This tale was the first meeting of the two and
though known to X-Men fans Juggernaut had never thrown down against Spidey,
Stern’s tale pits Spider-Man against insurmountable odds in Juggernaut a
villain comparible in size strength and intelligence to The Hulk.
It shows the character of Spider-Man in that he
just doesn’t understand when to just surrender driven by the determination to
never let anyone else down his fear of past failures repeating themselves.
It feels reminiscent to early Spider-Man Stories in
the sense that the tone and content are steeped in fun, yes the stakes are high
(When aren’t they?) but you can sense the trepidation in Spidey’s banter as he
throws line after line to keep juggernaut off guard or annoyed preventing him
for completing his quarry, all the while wondering how he’s going to defeat
him.
Spider-Man’s dilemma is fantastically illustrated by
John Romita Jr that shows Spider-Man futility in stopping Juggernaut, who
effectively flick’s Spidey of his shoulder the same we’d do to a bug, except
Juggernaut uses a building.
Both the issues can be found at fairly reasonable prices
on certain auction sites and is also reprinted in Nothing can Stop the
Juggernaut TPB
The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man #248
Written by Roger Stern and Pencilled by John Romita
Jr
An extra bonus story in this issue after the main story “The Kid who collects Spider-Man” is unique as it has no villains no spider-fights no tension no angst and is set entirely in a young child’s bedroom. It tells the tale of Tim Harrison. A young kid who appears to be Spider-Man’s biggest fan.
Alerted to Tim by a column in the Bugle by Jake Conover, Spider-Man decides to pay Tim a visit and spends a few hours with him explaining how he got his powers why he became a super-hero the lessons he learned about power and responsibility. He even reveals his secret identity to Tim at one stage after the boy asks him who he really is. It’s a bittersweet tale as it gives the reader the opportunity to place themselves in the role of Tim before the sting in the tale is revealed at the very end where we discover that Tim is dying from a Terminal illness and his last wish was to meet Spider-Man and have a conversation with his hero. The emotional aspect of this story has made it an iconic tale with many people naming it among their favourites.
This story was also the inspiration for an episode of the 90’s animated series Spider-Man Cartoon.
Spider-Island
Amazing Spider-Man #667 - #672
Written By Dan Slott & Humberto Ramos and
Stefano Caselli
The one constant that has remained within Spider-Man
comics is this. No Matter who it is writing the character of Peter
Parker/Spider-Man classifies him as an everyman. In this arc everyman, Woman and Child is
a Spider-Man. Including the Mayor a certain J.Jonah.Jameson!
At some point we’ve all wanted Spider-powers right?
Well maybe not Jameson........the ability to climb walls, swing through the
streets, beats the daily commute doesn’t it.
In this Dan Slott penned story Spider-Man finds out how
it feels to be completely un-unique, and that his old enemy The Jackal has a
plan to turn the whole of Manhattan into human spider’s aided by another former
foe The Spider Queen.
The size and scale of this story has made it an epic
tale of triumph over adversity in the darkest of times and the one thing that
sets Spider-Man apart in a city filled with Spider-Men, Women and children is
Peter Parker.
As New York City finds itself infested with
Spider-People thanks to genetically altered bed bugs created by The Jackal,
Spider-Man finds himself allied with the Avengers, X-Men, New Warriors and The
Future Foundation (Fantastic Four) battling to stem the flow as more and more
New Yorkers gain powers and then change into giant spiders, all with the sole
purpose of serving the Queen.
Spider-Island is steeped in fun, the dialogue is
strong and the plot flows well with a few twists and turns that keep the
readers guessing as to what or who will show up next. It also has Peter
questioning himself as to how to stop the City, Country and Planet being
consumed by the Queens plans. This story also makes a great jumping on point
for any new readers to the series.
And you can pick up the entire run in Spider-Island
TPB
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