With Spider-Man: Brand New Day right around the corner, now is a better time than ever to start delving into the comic origins of Spider-Man, but where should one start? Peter Parker’s life throughout comic history, like that of most superheroes, can be a confusing one, with a near-endless amount of stories and variations to catch up on from the decades’ worth of material available.
That’s why we have put together a list of five essential comic books featuring the titular web-head (and maybe a few extras) to read ahead of Brand New Day’s release. Whether you want a strategic jumping-on point, fancy going right back to where it all began or prefer a good standalone story, this list has you covered.
The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1966)
Written by Stan Lee, Artwork by Steve Ditko
If you’re going to start somewhere, then why not go from the very beginning? Though Spider-Man’s first comic book appearance was in Amazing Fantasy #15, it was this series here where Stan Lee gave the character his own personality and made him a household name. From Peter’s relationship with Aunt May to J. Jonah Jameson’s hatred for the wall-crawler, The Amazing Spider-Man set the groundwork for many elements we now take for granted in Spider-Man media throughout the years.
As jumping on point, The Amazing Spider-Man quickly and confidently establishes Peter’s struggles with maintaining the Spider-Man alter ego. Yes, you do get to see the crime-fighting antics that he is renowned for, but the emphasis here is on making him as relatable a character as possible by showing his frustration with himself and his inability to balance his two wildly different lives.
Lee’s choice to make Peter a teenager is one that was frowned upon at the time, but most certainly paid off in the long run. This decision is one that defined the character both in the 60s and even still to this day, allowing young readers at the time to connect to him on a personal level and see themselves in his shoes. Every iteration of Spider-Man from this point on would forever be using this original run as the core template to build from. Many stories later on would push Peter to the edge, taking him on crazy adventures, going up against even deadlier foes, but the fundamental ideals and characteristics that would define this iconic superhero all started here, courtesy of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
The Amazing Spider-Man is available digitally via Comixology UK.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2000-2011)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Artwork by Mark Bagley
For many of a certain age, Brian Michael Bendis’ Ultimate Spider-Man was the perfect jumping-on point for the character. Considering Marvel’s convoluted canon at the time, this series was seen as a breath of fresh air, offering readers a new take on the character that started from the very beginning. The series succeeded in doing so right out of the gate, whilst still keeping the core components that made the Spidey’s adventures so timeless, just with a stronger emphasis on character drama and emotion than had been seen before.
Bendis finds a fine line here between updating the stories and characters while paying homage to their roots in the best way possible. This is also prevalent in Mark Bagley’s updated designs for villains such as Doc Ock, Venom, and Rhino, bringing their classic looks seamlessly into the modern world, whereas the likes of the Green Goblin have been completely overhauled and turned into a hulking creature that feels appropriate for the newer style without losing the integrity or characteristics of the original version.
This series was my introduction to Spider-Man in comic book form and was one of the first comics I ever picked up, so I can say, with confidence, that Ultimate Spider-Man is one of the best ways to start your Spider-Man journey, as no prior knowledge is needed at all to enjoy this series.
Ultimate Spider-Man is available digitally via Comixology UK.
Spider-Man: Life Story (2019)
Written by Chip Zdarsky, Artwork by Mark Bagley
If you’re a reader who is maybe daunted by the extensive canon and history of Spider-Man’s comic outings, then Spider-Man: Life Story may be the one for you. This book sees Chip Zdarsky and Mark Bagley team up to tell some of Peter Parker’s most iconic moments from across the years in one cohesive story that sees him age in real time from his debut in the 1960s rather than being forever stuck as a teenager, like he is in most comics.
This is a great book for anyone who has yet to read any Spider-Man but has a rough knowledge of his origins and some of the key stories that have taken place over the decades. The approach taken here perfectly pays homage to the legacy of the character, whilst adding its own layer of emotional drama to the mix, as well as including real-world historic events such as the Vietnam War and the Cold War that play into the time periods it depicts.
Spider-Man: Life Story is available digitally on Comixology UK.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018-2022)
Written by Saladin Ahmed, Artwork by Javier Garron
Despite getting his start in the Ultimate universe, it was this standalone series where Miles Morales came into his own as a character and became the fan favourite he is today. This joyous run offered relentlessly paced but emotionally rewarding storytelling that is highly regarded by readers old and new. The introduction of new villains kept this series feeling fresh, whilst Miles’ depth as a character continued to grow in the background in the best way possible, developing him into something beyond his already stellar origins.
If you’re a fan of the Spider-Verse films, then this run from Saladin Ahmed and Javier Garron will be right up your street. It’s an entertaining and accessible series for readers to start with that perfectly reflects Miles’ unique voice, showing that Spider-Man doesn’t always have to be a variation of Peter Parker.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man is available digitally on Comixology UK.
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt (1987)
Written by J. M. DeMatteis, Artwork by Mike Zeck
Kraven’s Last Hunt is arguably Spider-Man’s most famous story, which is saying something, as there have been so many of them over the years. However, none have come quite as close in terms of impact and legacy as J. M. DeMatteis’ gripping tale of cat and mouse…or spider and man, I guess I should say.
This story showed a much darker side to Peter Parker as he is continually pushed beyond the edge by Kraven. From its complex and mature themes to the iconic image of a black-suited Spider-Man bursting from his grave, Kraven’s Last Hunt has gone down in history as one of the character’s most influential stories to date. It also allowed a level of insight into one of Spider-Man’s notorious villains that hadn’t been seen before, acting almost as a study of Kraven as a character and dissecting his very persona to the core.
As it is a standalone, self-contained story, you’ll have no problem jumping into this if you’ve barely read any Spider-Man comics beforehand. It is held in high regard mostly due to its storytelling, themes and artwork, all of which have held up incredibly well since its 1987 release, meaning it can very much be enjoyed and read for its own merits without needing to worry about the canon that came before and after it.
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt is available digitally on Comixology UK.
Honourable Mentions
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2008) – Written by Dan Slott, Artwork by Steven McNiven. This comic is available digitally via Comixology UK.
Spider-Man (1990) – Written by Todd MacFarlane, Artwork by Todd MacFarlane. This comic is available digitally via Comixology UK.
Superior Spider-Man (2013) – Written by Dan Slott, Artwork by Ryan Stegman. This comic is available digitally via Comixology UK.
Amazing Spider-Man: Back to Basics (2018) – Written by Nick Spencer, Artwork by Ryan Ottley. This comic is available digitally via Comixology UK.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also members of the Forbidden Planet Affiliate Program.
