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10 Old Spider-Man Comics That Are Actually Worth Reading

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10 Old Spider-Man Comics That Are Actually Worth Reading


Superhero comics have evolved since Spider-Man’s debut in Incredible fantasy #15. Comics rely more on art to tell the story, which means less filler and descriptive text. The panels are generally larger, which allows the art to breathe. Fans of modern comics may find older comics more difficult to read. It’s not a question of skill: older comics were created in a different era, but they paved the way for what comics are today.

Of course, the dialogue sounds like it did back then – awkward for fans today. The coloring was simplistic, limited by the technology and budgets of the time, but the heart of the stories of the old Spider-Man comics remains spectacular and inspiring. Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and John Romita Sr. are just a few creators who created the foundations of Spider-Man, making these legendary old comics worth revisiting year after year.

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10

The iconic origin of Spider-Man

The Origin of Spider-Man: A comic story no Spider-Man fan should be without. Incredible fantasy #15 contains the very concise origin of Spider-Man which is still considered one of the best and most inspiring superhero origins of all time.

Comic

Incredible fantasy #15

Creators

Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and Stan Goldberg

Published

August 1962

Published in 1962, Spider-Man quickly became popular with young comic book readers of the time, who might have struggled to imagine themselves as the godlike Superman or the wealthy Batman, but found Spider-Man – a high school student with money problems and love drama – – incredibly relevant. Spider-Man changed Marvel comics and superheroes for decades.

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Spider-Man fights for his life against the Master Planner

Spider-Man lifts debris "If this is my destiny."

Many consider “If this is my destiny!” ” being Spider-Man’s first substantial comic arc, with only three issues total. The arc covers an ailing Aunt May, Peter’s struggles to obtain his medicine, and Spider-Man’s battles with the Master Planner and his gang, culminating in the iconic scene where the Wall-Crawler lifts tons of steel above his head.

Comic

“If this is my destiny!” Amazing Spider-Man #31-33

Creators

Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

Published

September 1965

“If this is my destiny!” is one of the best issue collections of the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era and remains one of the best Spider-Man arcs of all time, creating the foundations of Spider-Man’s mythology, from his struggles to balance social life and super heroism, to his unwavering determination.

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8

Green Goblin becomes one of Spider-Man’s greatest villains

Peter Parker fighting Green Goblin in How Green Was My Goblin!

The Green Goblin had already appeared in numerous issues of Spider-Man, but had not completely broken away from the rest of the pack. For a few years, Green Goblin was no more popular than Electro or Sandman. Doctor Octopus was still firmly Spider-Man’s greatest villain – at least until Green Goblin discovered Spider-Man’s true identity.

Comic

“How green my goblin was!” Amazing Spider-Man #39-40

Creators

Stan Lee, John Romita Sr. & Mike Esposito

Published

May 1966

In just two issues, Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. have rocked the world of Spider-Man. Green Goblin discovered that Spider-Man was Peter Parker, and Peter, in turn, learned that the Goblin was Norman Osborn. These revelations sparked Spider-Man’s greatest rivalry, which led to the deaths of many of Spider-Man’s closest allies and loved ones, from Gwen Stacy to Ben Reilly.

7

Peter Parker abandons Spider-Man

Peter Parker walks away from his discarded costume "Spider-Man is no more."

The iconic Amazing Spider-Man The cover of Peter abandoning Spider-Man has reappeared in hundreds of tributes since. The photo of Peter Parker walking away from his Spider-Man costume abandoned in a trash can was even perfectly reproduced in Sam Raimi’s film. Spider-Man 2 movie.

Comic

“Spider-Man: no more” Amazing Spider-Man #50

Creators

Stan Lee, John Romita Sr. and Mickey Demeo

Published

April 1967

“Spider-Man: No More” is a must-have “old” Spider-Man comic. Peter Parker frequently leaves the superhero business, but it was the comics that firmly cemented this trend, as it was unlike anything superheroes had done before.

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6

Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus: Allies

The reflection of Spider-Man fighting Ock's tentacles in Doc Ock's glasses in The Amazing Spider-Man #297

Doctor Octopus ultimately defeated Spider-Man, cementing himself as Web-Head’s greatest villain in the Silver Age of Marvel Comics. Doctor Octopus had successfully brainwashed the Wall-Crawler into believing he was a criminal ally. This story arc was later adapted into several episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

Comic

“Doc Ock wins!” Amazing Spider-Man #53-56

Creators

Stan Lee, John Romita Sr. & Mike Esposito

Published

July 1967

“Doc Ock wins!” was one of Lee and Romita’s best arcs Amazing Spider-Man run and remains an enjoyable arc featuring Doctor Octopus. However, it was later overshadowed by books like “Ends of the Earth”, “Dying Wish” and Superior Spider-Man.

5

Spider-Man’s turning point

This is the question that made the Amazing Spider-Man title. Spider-Man comics were never strictly aimed at children, but the death of Gwen Stacy changed everything. Spider-Man matured alongside his readers, and “The Night Gwen Stacy Died” opened the floodgates, allowing future writers to create darker stories that often shattered Peter Parker’s world.

Comic

“The Night Gwen Stacy Died” Amazing Spider-Man #121-122

Creators

Gerry Conway, Gil Kane, John Romita Sr., Tony Mortellaro and Dave Hunt

Published

March 1973

Green Goblin’s death quickly followed Gwen’s, making these two issues a true turning point for both the writing of Spider-Man and the fictional life of Spider-Man. This arc proved that if a character like Gwen Stacy could die and never return, all bets were off.

4

Spider-Man can stop the Juggernaut

Spider-Man saves Madame Web in Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut

Modern comic book arcs typically span at least six issues, but decades ago arcs might only last one or two issues. Some of the best Spider-Man stories started and ended in less than two issues, and “Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut” is a story readers won’t want to miss.

Comic

“Nothing can stop the juggernaut” Amazing Spider-Man #229-230

Creators

Roger Stern, John Romita Jr., Jim Mooney and Glynis Wein

Published

March 1982

Spider-Man is a hero who never gives up, and “Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut” illustrates that better than anyone, showing Peter Parker’s determination to stop the Juggernaut and then get revenge on the villain for hurting Madame Web. Through trials and failures, Spider-Man ultimately succeeded while even the entire X-Men team struggled.

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3

Black Suit Spider-Man Hunts Sin Eater

Jean DeWolff's corpse found in Spectacular Spider-Man

The 80s were pretty rough for Peter Parker. Of course, he was able to explore alien worlds in Secret Wars and married Mary Jane, the love of his life, at Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21––but the 80s were also filled with incredibly dark and mature stories, “The Death of Jean DeWolff” being one of the best of them.

Comic

“The Death of Jean DeWolff” Peter Parker, the spectacular Spider-Man #107-110

Creators

Peter David, Rich Buckler, Brett Breeding and Bob Sharen

Published

July 1985

In this comic arc, Spider-Man donned his iconic black suit to hunt down the Sin-Eater, a simple shotgun-wielding villain who had murdered one of Spider-Man’s closest allies. With an added showdown with Daredevil, “The Death of Jean DeWolff” is one of the best Spider-Man comic book titles the 80s had to offer.

2

Kraven stars in one of the darkest Spider-Man comics

Spider-Man confronts Kraven while wearing the Spider-Man costume in Marvel Comics' Kraven's Last Hunt.

“Kraven’s Last Hunt” is not intended for readers looking for positive narratives or happy endings. Kraven has always been an intense Spider-Man villain, but JM DeMatteis crafted a dark, emotionally gripping story that elevated Kraven the Hunter and elevated him into Spider-Man’s roster of villains.

Comic

“Kraven’s Last Hunt” Amazing Spider-Man #293-294

Creators

JM DeMatteis, Mike Zeck, Bob McLeod and Janet Jackson

Published

June 1987

Modern readers are familiar with DeMatteis’ modern Spider-Man works, usually revisiting ancient eras, such as when Ben Reilly was Spider-Man. Modern readers should check out “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” not only for a dark Spider-Man comic, but also for a look at DeMatteis’ first series as a Spider-Man writer.

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1

Venom changed the Spider-Man universe

1988 may not seem like it has any “old” comics, but that was 36 years ago. Many new comic book readers weren’t even born yet and weren’t reading comics when Venom debuted. Amazing Spider-Man #300 is not only one of the best Spider-Man centennial comics, but one of the best Marvel comics of all time, introducing a character who, to this day, changes the Marvel Universe.

Comic

“Birth of venom” Amazing Spider-Man #300

Creators

David Michelinie, Todd McFarlane and Bob Sharen

Published

January 1988

Venom was Spider-Man’s physical superior – a shadowy ghost who tormented Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. Venom was terrifying and its first comic book is still iconic and seminal, taking the symbiote to new levels of popularity.

Cover of the first issue of Amazing-Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man

From Amazing Fantasy #15, Marvel’s Spider-Man earned his own series with 1963’s The Amazing Spider-Man! For decades, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next issue of the first Web-Slinger series to discover the latest adventures of their favorite superhero!

Editor(s)

Wonder

Main characters

Spiderman

Artist

Steve Ditko

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