Spiderman Comic Books

Spiderman Comic Books

The first ever self-titled series of Spiderman comic books is The Amazing Spiderman published by Marvel Comics. Originally, the character appeared on the issue #15 of Amazing Fantasy released in August 1962. The series was then cancelled with that issue. However, positive feedbacks on the Spiderman character made Marvel decide to release a solo series which was launched in March 1963.

The Spiderman character was created by writer/editor Stan Lee and artist co-plotter Steve Ditko. Their tandem has released 38 issues during their continuous publication from 1963 to 1966. Since then, many other writers and artists collaborated to develop storylines based on what Lee and Ditko started. Because of that, Spiderman has ever since become Marvel Comics’ most popular superhero.

Being Spiderman comic books’ premier title, The Amazing Spiderman introduced most of the series’ significant characters, villains and key plots. It was published continuously until 1998. After that, Marvel Comics decided to re-launch with a new issue reverting back to issue #1 in January 1999. During Spiderman’s 40^th anniversary in December 2003, Marvel decided to continue the numbering from where it stopped back in 1998. The continuation of the series was then launched as issue #500.

Lee and Ditko’s Spiderman era focused on the story of Spiderman’s civilian life as Peter Parker, a good-humored teenager who works as a freelance photographer for The Daily Bugle to support himself and his flimsy Aunt May. In contrast to his normal private life, Spiderman is ensuing public outrage due to his vigilante acts. Peter Parker, then again, battles the hostility of his classmates Flash Thompson and Liz Allain at Midtown High School while suffering from a one-sided love affair with his editor/publisher’s secretary, Betty Brant. Lee and Ditko decided to make Spiderman comic books that focus more on Peter Parker’s everyday experiences. With Spiderman, Marvel has arguably created the first ever teenaged superhero who is a solo act and not a sidekick such as what Robin is to Batman.

Issue #1 of The Amazing Spiderman featured the appearance of J. Jonah Jameson, Peter Parker’s editor/publisher and the super villain, Chameleon. Another Marvel Comics superhero team, the Fantastic Four, also appeared in the same issue. The issue #2, on the other hand, was launched in May 1963. This is where the super villain, The Vulture first appeared. This issue also focused on Peter Parker’s freelance career as a photographer for The Daily Bugle.

Ditko has been credited as the “artist” in most of the Spiderman comic books when, in fact, he also did a lot of work on the plot and storyline. Most of the latter outputs of their partnership were plotted by Ditko alone while Lee only scripted the dialogue. The Lee-Ditko tandem eventually ended with a rift, having issue #38, released in July 1966, as their last collaboration. Subsequently, John Romita Sr. replaced Ditko as Lee’s partner. Issue #39, released in August 1966, was their first issue together. This issue introduced Spiderman’s arch-nemesis, The Green Goblin. Some other notable appearances happened during Romita’s term, one of which is the reappearance of Mary Jane Watson in #42, November 1966 issue.

With Lee and Romita’s collaboration, The Amazing Spiderman created significant changes when it comes to plot, storylines and themes. The stories now focus on Peter Parker’s social life in the Empire State University while tackling themes that range from civil rights to racism to political elections.