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The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus
The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 1
In 1962, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko gave birth to one of the most-enduring icons in American popular media: the one and only Amazing Spider-Man! Turning the concept of a super hero on its head, they imbued the young, guilt-ridden Peter Parker with the fantastic powers of an arachnid and the fantastic pressures of an everyday teenager. The combination was pure magic during the course of 40 issues of web-slinging, wisecracking wonderment Lee and Ditko built the foundation for 45 years of Spidey spectaculars - girl trouble; bill trouble; bully trouble; the Daily Bugle; and a cast friends, family and, of course, supervillains unlike any other!
Collecting: Amazing Fantasy 15; Amazing Spider-Man 1-38, Annual 1-2; Fantastic Four Annual 1; Strange Tales Annual 2
Collecting: Amazing Fantasy 15; Amazing Spider-Man 1-38, Annual 1-2; Fantastic Four Annual 1; Strange Tales Annual 2
1065 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1966
About the author
Stan Lee
7,294 books2,185 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 26, 2013
I own a number of these Marvel Omnibus editions now, but this is the one I would grab if there was a fire and I could only take one with me. Sure, most of the material in this volume has been reprinted endlessly elsewhere, but it's never looked this good anywhere else, nor has all the great letter columns and in-house ads of the day been so lovingly restored and included.
If you were to compare Steve Ditko's art to most anything you can find in a superhero comic these days, you would find Ditko's simplicity almost naive. I say, "almost," but then upon further consideration you would understand the difference between Ditko's clean, efficient storytelling, dynamic renderings, and extraordinary layouts, and those of the comic artists working (for the most part) in the superhero trenches today.
You need this book, in other words, if you really want to have a kid to grasp the complexities and nuances of one of the greatest superhero archetypes we still have today. I hope to, myself, some day.
And it's basically ALL of Steve Ditko's run, including the Annual and so forth. Volume Two picks up with the start of another long haul, this time John Romita's.
I love Romita's work (of course, of course), but Ditko still drew the Spider-Man I think of when I think of Spider-Man.
If you were to compare Steve Ditko's art to most anything you can find in a superhero comic these days, you would find Ditko's simplicity almost naive. I say, "almost," but then upon further consideration you would understand the difference between Ditko's clean, efficient storytelling, dynamic renderings, and extraordinary layouts, and those of the comic artists working (for the most part) in the superhero trenches today.
You need this book, in other words, if you really want to have a kid to grasp the complexities and nuances of one of the greatest superhero archetypes we still have today. I hope to, myself, some day.
And it's basically ALL of Steve Ditko's run, including the Annual and so forth. Volume Two picks up with the start of another long haul, this time John Romita's.
I love Romita's work (of course, of course), but Ditko still drew the Spider-Man I think of when I think of Spider-Man.
October 5, 2011
The Amazing Spider-Man never got better than this - ASM 1-38, Amazing Fantasy 15, and Annuals 1 & 2. This represents the entire Stan Lee/Steve Ditko run - a watershed of popular culture and arguably the most important development of "heroes in tights" since Superman's debut in 1938's Action Comics #1.
What's so special about this collection you may ask? First of all the stories are great - a unique mix of action and soap opera pathos. It is hard to think of a superhero with more unfortunate luck than Peter Parker. There was a sense of humanity to these stories that while certainly not "realistic" at least gave the characters a depth never explored in comics before.
What else was great? Well the art naturally. Steve Ditko's work here is incredible. Ditko didn't go for realism, but rather a unique and inimitable style. Nowhere, before or since (sorry McFarland) was Spidey's unnatural athleticism captured so completely. Simply wonderful.
Finally - this is where the majority of Spider-Man's rogue's gallery (arguably the overall best in superhero comics) was introduced: Doc Ock, Green Goblin, the Vulture, Kraven the Hunter, Sandman, the Lizard, Elektro - the list goes on. Forget Venom and Black Cat - these are the villains that made Spidey great.
All in all the "perfect storm" of writing, art and characterization.
Now these stories may seem somewhat quaint and even "silly" (as one friend said to me) in comparison to the dark "realism" of contemporary comics, but viewed in the perspective of their times it is easy to see why they represented such a unique and refreshing take on the increasingly moribund comics industry.
Now don't get me wrong - just because this run represents Spider-Man's best era doesn't mean he's not shone elsewhere. For example immediately picking up where Ditko left off (with issue 39) the fantastic John Romita (Sr.) took over and did a fantastic job himself. In fact it is really hard to compare the two since Romita's art is much different though very beautiful in its own right.
Still this book represents the creme-de-la-creme - and anyone with the slightest interest in heroes in tights owes it to themselves to check this out.
What's so special about this collection you may ask? First of all the stories are great - a unique mix of action and soap opera pathos. It is hard to think of a superhero with more unfortunate luck than Peter Parker. There was a sense of humanity to these stories that while certainly not "realistic" at least gave the characters a depth never explored in comics before.
What else was great? Well the art naturally. Steve Ditko's work here is incredible. Ditko didn't go for realism, but rather a unique and inimitable style. Nowhere, before or since (sorry McFarland) was Spidey's unnatural athleticism captured so completely. Simply wonderful.
Finally - this is where the majority of Spider-Man's rogue's gallery (arguably the overall best in superhero comics) was introduced: Doc Ock, Green Goblin, the Vulture, Kraven the Hunter, Sandman, the Lizard, Elektro - the list goes on. Forget Venom and Black Cat - these are the villains that made Spidey great.
All in all the "perfect storm" of writing, art and characterization.
Now these stories may seem somewhat quaint and even "silly" (as one friend said to me) in comparison to the dark "realism" of contemporary comics, but viewed in the perspective of their times it is easy to see why they represented such a unique and refreshing take on the increasingly moribund comics industry.
Now don't get me wrong - just because this run represents Spider-Man's best era doesn't mean he's not shone elsewhere. For example immediately picking up where Ditko left off (with issue 39) the fantastic John Romita (Sr.) took over and did a fantastic job himself. In fact it is really hard to compare the two since Romita's art is much different though very beautiful in its own right.
Still this book represents the creme-de-la-creme - and anyone with the slightest interest in heroes in tights owes it to themselves to check this out.
December 22, 2017
Read around an issue a week with my son. I was shocked by the quality and the number of classic characters that were introduced early on.
By the end of the Kirby/Lee run that is this omnibus they are just getting to the familiar storylines everyone knows from the movies.
Great fun watching Spider-Man develop and transform in these early issues.
Let’s not forget....Betty Brant, Mary Jane Watson & Gwen Stacey. There’s something about that sweet Peter Parker.
By the end of the Kirby/Lee run that is this omnibus they are just getting to the familiar storylines everyone knows from the movies.
Great fun watching Spider-Man develop and transform in these early issues.
Let’s not forget....Betty Brant, Mary Jane Watson & Gwen Stacey. There’s something about that sweet Peter Parker.
March 30, 2019
Spider-Man was, is, and probably always will be my favorite superhero. As a kid, I watched the '90s animated series religiously, collected all the action figures, and loved the original Sam Rami movie trilogy (yes, even Spider-Man 3, which I acknowledge has its problems but is still better, in my eyes, than any modern-day superhero flick). Needless to say, I am a huge Spidey fan. Yet, one of my greatest shames was the fact that I would buy the Spider-Man comics but never read them; I was one of those kids who kept his comics sealed at all times thinking they were going to increase in value in a few years...boy was I wrong. Anyway, I only started reading the comics in recent years via graphic novels and trade paperbacks, but I made the mistake of reading some of them out of order. Now, I'm going back to the beginning to read every Spider-Man graphic novel I have in their proper reading order, and this omnibus was my first stop in what will no doubt be one of my most arduous and exciting literary endeavors.
The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1 collects a several dozen of the original issues of comics as well as Spider-Man's first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15. As these issues were made in the '60s, their writing and illustrations are very simplistic and basic in nature, especially by today's standards. I found many of the straightforward storylines to be quite charming, as not everything has to be overly contrived in order to be entertaining. Additionally, the basic characterization of fan-favorite characters like Flash Thompson, Liz Allen, Betty Brandt, and Aunt May was especially interesting to me because they stood in stark contrast to their contemporary counterparts in recent publications; the character development which each had undergone over the past five decades was all the more apparent after reading of their humble beginnings. Sometimes all you want is an easy-going comic reading experience, free of all the needless drama, dark plots, cumbersome crossovers, and other such detriments, and the Spidey comics here have plenty of that simple charm to suit your needs.
Of course, no character is more of a fan-favorite than Peter Parker – Spider-Man – himself. Reading his earliest comic book exploits was truly an enjoyable experience for me considering that, up until this point, my experiences with the character came from all other forms of media except comic books. These old comics from the 1960s were as new to me as the day they were first printed, giving me a personally unique experience with Spider-Man even in this day and age, one that people who are already familiar with the comics may unfortunately miss out on when perusing this omnibus. One of the best things about this massive collection was how it made me feel like I was meeting Spider-Man for the first time all over again, and it has made me eager to read more!
I was surprised at how many throwaway characters were introduced in Spider-Man's earliest days. Spider-Man comics have always been known for their strong lineup of villains (probably the strongest in Marvel Comics), but in the comic's earliest days, there were more than its fair share of dud villains, like the Enforcers and the Tinkerer (you think they'll ever get their own movies?). Some are so forgettable that I have already forgotten their names! However, plenty of classic villains make their first appearances in this omnibus, such as Doc Ock, Scorpion, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio (an underrated villain in my estimation), Vulture, Electro, Sandman, and, of course, the notorious Green Goblin. The characterization of these villains in these early issues, much like with the supporting cast, is vastly different from how they are represented in later runs of the comics, but the oddity of seeing a legendary villain like the Green Goblin act like a goofy, run-of-the-mill bad guy is fascinating when you know how drastically he and many others will have evolved in just a short few years.
Aside from the action that fills the majority of these pages, there was also a fair share of teen drama. Spider-Man was revolutionary in its time for giving the role of a big-time superhero to someone aged to more appropriately act as a sidekick; someone as young as Peter Parker, a high school student, being the Amazing Spider-Man was a daring concept in a time when manly men and grown women predominately occupied the title of full-fledged superhero. Thanks to Spidey's youth, we get to see him deal with the struggles of the average teenager, and the balancing act between crime-fighting and coming-of-age was executed quite well in this omnibus. I have always known Spider-Man media to have a heavy focus on the teen drama encompassing Peter Parker's life, and the angles explored here proved to be as compelling as they were timeless; the plights of a teenaged Spidey seem not that far off from the adversity which an outsider teenager would face today. Everything you could envision going through as a teenager yourself, from love triangles and bullying, to keeping on top of academics and breaking curfew, is touched upon in The Amazing Spider-Man, making the ole Web-Head that much more relatable to us regular folks.
On the subject of the art, I found Steve Ditko's classic art style to be simple yet never dull. I consider the mark of a great comic book or graphic novel to be one whose art is never poor enough to detract from the story being told, nor goes so overboard as to derail the reader's attention from the story at hand. Steve Ditko's art never infringed on either precept, which is something I cannot say for newer comics. Today, you will either find most comics to be bland and colorless to the point of losing all personality, or too stylized and out of touch with the characters of the comic (or just plain ugly). I like my comics, especially for Spider-Man, to be colorful and vibrant yet not overly busy, and Ditko achieved this balance beautifully. His artwork set the precedent for how Spider-Man should generally look and flow in comics, and for that he has my admiration.
Something that was simultaneously interesting and annoying that I found whilst reading through this omnibus was the abundance of errors in the text bubbles. Some mistakes were forgivable syntax errors, while others were far more egregious – I'd say that referring to Peter Parker as Peter “Palmer” is pretty unforgivable. These bigger mistakes occur only a handful of times throughout the 1000+ page book, but the fact that any were left in at all is either a testament to Marvel's commitment to preserving comic book history exactly the way it was all those years ago, or a laughable show of laziness on their part for not wanting to go back to make a few minor edits to the text. Whatever the case, I found it all to be amusing.
In the wake of both Steve Ditko's and Stan Lee's unfortunate passings in 2018, appreciation for their storied work has reached an all-time high, and for good reason. Stan Lee wrote Amazing Fantasy #15 in August of 1962, starring the Amazing Spider-Man for the first time ever; that same year, Steve Ditko designed the iconic Spider-Man costume that has remained a staple of his character to this day. That was nearly sixty years ago at the time of this writing, and Spider-Man has never once succumbed to the type of obscurity which ideas lacking in originality and innovation are wont to suffer through the passage of time. The reason why Spider-Man never faltered in popularity or importance, neither as a character nor as a symbol, is all thanks to the dynamic duo of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Were it not for Lee's relatable writing of Peter Parker, Ditko's fun and intense action sequencing, their vast imagination for character creation, and their love for the fans, it is fair to assume that the Spider-Man many of us know and love would never have come into existence. To envision a pop cultural landscape without the influences of comic books' greatest visionary tag-team in Stan Lee and Steve Ditko is a depressing notion, indeed, for their scope of influence has reached numerous generations of fans young and old, of all backgrounds, who all discovered through Lee's writing and Ditko's art that even someone as super as Spider-Man can face the same plights as the average boy or girl and still remain just as human as any one of us. If you are looking for your fix of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko at their best, you need not look any further than The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1, a collection of storied comic books which pioneered the entirety of the modern-day superhero industry and defined the greatest superhero of all-time for generations to come.
R.I.P. Stan Lee: 1922-2018
R.I.P. Steve Ditko: 1927-2018
Excelsior!
The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1 collects a several dozen of the original issues of comics as well as Spider-Man's first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15. As these issues were made in the '60s, their writing and illustrations are very simplistic and basic in nature, especially by today's standards. I found many of the straightforward storylines to be quite charming, as not everything has to be overly contrived in order to be entertaining. Additionally, the basic characterization of fan-favorite characters like Flash Thompson, Liz Allen, Betty Brandt, and Aunt May was especially interesting to me because they stood in stark contrast to their contemporary counterparts in recent publications; the character development which each had undergone over the past five decades was all the more apparent after reading of their humble beginnings. Sometimes all you want is an easy-going comic reading experience, free of all the needless drama, dark plots, cumbersome crossovers, and other such detriments, and the Spidey comics here have plenty of that simple charm to suit your needs.
Of course, no character is more of a fan-favorite than Peter Parker – Spider-Man – himself. Reading his earliest comic book exploits was truly an enjoyable experience for me considering that, up until this point, my experiences with the character came from all other forms of media except comic books. These old comics from the 1960s were as new to me as the day they were first printed, giving me a personally unique experience with Spider-Man even in this day and age, one that people who are already familiar with the comics may unfortunately miss out on when perusing this omnibus. One of the best things about this massive collection was how it made me feel like I was meeting Spider-Man for the first time all over again, and it has made me eager to read more!
I was surprised at how many throwaway characters were introduced in Spider-Man's earliest days. Spider-Man comics have always been known for their strong lineup of villains (probably the strongest in Marvel Comics), but in the comic's earliest days, there were more than its fair share of dud villains, like the Enforcers and the Tinkerer (you think they'll ever get their own movies?). Some are so forgettable that I have already forgotten their names! However, plenty of classic villains make their first appearances in this omnibus, such as Doc Ock, Scorpion, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio (an underrated villain in my estimation), Vulture, Electro, Sandman, and, of course, the notorious Green Goblin. The characterization of these villains in these early issues, much like with the supporting cast, is vastly different from how they are represented in later runs of the comics, but the oddity of seeing a legendary villain like the Green Goblin act like a goofy, run-of-the-mill bad guy is fascinating when you know how drastically he and many others will have evolved in just a short few years.
Aside from the action that fills the majority of these pages, there was also a fair share of teen drama. Spider-Man was revolutionary in its time for giving the role of a big-time superhero to someone aged to more appropriately act as a sidekick; someone as young as Peter Parker, a high school student, being the Amazing Spider-Man was a daring concept in a time when manly men and grown women predominately occupied the title of full-fledged superhero. Thanks to Spidey's youth, we get to see him deal with the struggles of the average teenager, and the balancing act between crime-fighting and coming-of-age was executed quite well in this omnibus. I have always known Spider-Man media to have a heavy focus on the teen drama encompassing Peter Parker's life, and the angles explored here proved to be as compelling as they were timeless; the plights of a teenaged Spidey seem not that far off from the adversity which an outsider teenager would face today. Everything you could envision going through as a teenager yourself, from love triangles and bullying, to keeping on top of academics and breaking curfew, is touched upon in The Amazing Spider-Man, making the ole Web-Head that much more relatable to us regular folks.
On the subject of the art, I found Steve Ditko's classic art style to be simple yet never dull. I consider the mark of a great comic book or graphic novel to be one whose art is never poor enough to detract from the story being told, nor goes so overboard as to derail the reader's attention from the story at hand. Steve Ditko's art never infringed on either precept, which is something I cannot say for newer comics. Today, you will either find most comics to be bland and colorless to the point of losing all personality, or too stylized and out of touch with the characters of the comic (or just plain ugly). I like my comics, especially for Spider-Man, to be colorful and vibrant yet not overly busy, and Ditko achieved this balance beautifully. His artwork set the precedent for how Spider-Man should generally look and flow in comics, and for that he has my admiration.
Something that was simultaneously interesting and annoying that I found whilst reading through this omnibus was the abundance of errors in the text bubbles. Some mistakes were forgivable syntax errors, while others were far more egregious – I'd say that referring to Peter Parker as Peter “Palmer” is pretty unforgivable. These bigger mistakes occur only a handful of times throughout the 1000+ page book, but the fact that any were left in at all is either a testament to Marvel's commitment to preserving comic book history exactly the way it was all those years ago, or a laughable show of laziness on their part for not wanting to go back to make a few minor edits to the text. Whatever the case, I found it all to be amusing.
In the wake of both Steve Ditko's and Stan Lee's unfortunate passings in 2018, appreciation for their storied work has reached an all-time high, and for good reason. Stan Lee wrote Amazing Fantasy #15 in August of 1962, starring the Amazing Spider-Man for the first time ever; that same year, Steve Ditko designed the iconic Spider-Man costume that has remained a staple of his character to this day. That was nearly sixty years ago at the time of this writing, and Spider-Man has never once succumbed to the type of obscurity which ideas lacking in originality and innovation are wont to suffer through the passage of time. The reason why Spider-Man never faltered in popularity or importance, neither as a character nor as a symbol, is all thanks to the dynamic duo of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Were it not for Lee's relatable writing of Peter Parker, Ditko's fun and intense action sequencing, their vast imagination for character creation, and their love for the fans, it is fair to assume that the Spider-Man many of us know and love would never have come into existence. To envision a pop cultural landscape without the influences of comic books' greatest visionary tag-team in Stan Lee and Steve Ditko is a depressing notion, indeed, for their scope of influence has reached numerous generations of fans young and old, of all backgrounds, who all discovered through Lee's writing and Ditko's art that even someone as super as Spider-Man can face the same plights as the average boy or girl and still remain just as human as any one of us. If you are looking for your fix of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko at their best, you need not look any further than The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1, a collection of storied comic books which pioneered the entirety of the modern-day superhero industry and defined the greatest superhero of all-time for generations to come.
R.I.P. Stan Lee: 1922-2018
R.I.P. Steve Ditko: 1927-2018
Excelsior!
January 12, 2021
Chvilku jsem váhal zda tomu přeci jen nevystřelit "jen" 4, ale to prostě nejde. K takhle starým kouskům se nemůže přistupovat bez nějakých ohledů.
Ano, forma se ještě trochu hledá, co se týče vztahu text x obraz, a tak dochází k humorným případům, kdy situace zjevná z panelu bývá okomentována pro sichr monologem i vypravěčem.
Zároveň v 60s vládl sešit a tak struktura každého čísla působí o dost víc suveréně. Začátek, škola, teta beng beng, konec. Což se bohužel projevilo postupující repetativností, která možná neudeří dobového čtenáře, co na jeden každý díl čeká měsíc. Navíc všechny oblíbené záporáky máte představené v první půli booku a tak se tu druhou začnete věnovat dramatům v Parkerově osobním životě, protože začnou být zajímavější. Taky v druhé půli ubylo případů, kdy se Spider-mana pokusil někdo přechytračit nebo nějak obejít jeho pavoučí instinkt. Příběhové oblouky, co přesahují jeden sešit, končí většinou po dvou pokračováních a buď se jedná o hledání identity nějakého kriminálního bosse a nebo je teta v nemocnici a Peter se tím trápí tak moc, že ho ostatní děcka začnou nenávidět, protože párkrát nepozdraví. Opět bych si stěžoval na repetativnost, kdybych si nevšiml jedné zajímavosti... ono to podruhé vždycky bylo o kus lepší než poprvé. A tady už se přehoupneme k chvále.
Legendární Final chapter má hodně společného se Spidey strikes back, ale je lepší. Jakožto fanda Kravena jsem zpozorněl u 15. čísla Kraven the Hunter, ale esenci, která později v mnohém inspirovala DeMatteise v Posledním Lovu nejvíc rozpoznáte až v čísle 34, Thrill of the Hunt.
Highlighty pro mě kupodivu byly vedlejší příběhy v druhé půlce. Flash Thompson tam pro mě ztratil veškerou auru středoškolského agresora a stal se z nej neškodnej ňouma, co hrozí pěstmi všem pomlouvačům Spider-mana. Johnny Storm má všechny neduhy pubertálního drajvu a nejednou si se Spider-manem vjedou do vlasů, jen aby si poměřili pindíky, přesto neváhá a přispěchá nabídnout Spider-manovi pomocnou ruku, kdykoliv vycítí přesilu a pomluvy mířené na Spider-mana v arcu Spidey Strikes Back bere možná ještě hůř než titulní hrdina. Bohužel neumí Lee moc psát ženy. Ani Betty ani Liz a dokonce ani Gwen nejsou dobře napsané postavy a tím pádem mě milostné mnohouhelníky nemají šanci zabavit.
A máme tu hlavně origin Spider-mana provázaný s jeho osudovou lekcí o zodpovědnosti, který se neobešel bez legendárního "S velkou mocí..." řečeným ve žlutém vypravěčském rámečku a ne strejdou Benem. Origin a první výskyt zde nachází i většina slavných Spider-manových záporáků.
V prvním annualu se všichni spojí a Spider-man je musí jednoho po druhém přemoci, což je vždycky zakončené jedním ze šesti triumfálních celostránkových zásahů. Celkově Lee s Ditkem excelují v budování problémů a payoffech jako ve zmíněném Spider-man Strikes Back.
Je zvláštní porovnávat Ditkovu kresbu na začátku a na konci a stejně tak i progres v Parkerově osobním životě, přihlédneme li, že se dost mluví o tom, jak Lee všechny kreslíře tlačil k tomu, aby kreslili víc jako Kirby a speciálně po Ditkovi požadoval, aby trochu polidštil všechny ty nepříjemné lidi v Parkerově okolí, a tak k zásadním změnám začalo docházet dlouho před Ditkovým odchodem.
Jinak na závěr by bylo dobré dodat, že jsem si to celé užil hlavně, protože jsem odpornej Spider-nerd.
Ano, forma se ještě trochu hledá, co se týče vztahu text x obraz, a tak dochází k humorným případům, kdy situace zjevná z panelu bývá okomentována pro sichr monologem i vypravěčem.
Zároveň v 60s vládl sešit a tak struktura každého čísla působí o dost víc suveréně. Začátek, škola, teta beng beng, konec. Což se bohužel projevilo postupující repetativností, která možná neudeří dobového čtenáře, co na jeden každý díl čeká měsíc. Navíc všechny oblíbené záporáky máte představené v první půli booku a tak se tu druhou začnete věnovat dramatům v Parkerově osobním životě, protože začnou být zajímavější. Taky v druhé půli ubylo případů, kdy se Spider-mana pokusil někdo přechytračit nebo nějak obejít jeho pavoučí instinkt. Příběhové oblouky, co přesahují jeden sešit, končí většinou po dvou pokračováních a buď se jedná o hledání identity nějakého kriminálního bosse a nebo je teta v nemocnici a Peter se tím trápí tak moc, že ho ostatní děcka začnou nenávidět, protože párkrát nepozdraví. Opět bych si stěžoval na repetativnost, kdybych si nevšiml jedné zajímavosti... ono to podruhé vždycky bylo o kus lepší než poprvé. A tady už se přehoupneme k chvále.
Legendární Final chapter má hodně společného se Spidey strikes back, ale je lepší. Jakožto fanda Kravena jsem zpozorněl u 15. čísla Kraven the Hunter, ale esenci, která později v mnohém inspirovala DeMatteise v Posledním Lovu nejvíc rozpoznáte až v čísle 34, Thrill of the Hunt.
Highlighty pro mě kupodivu byly vedlejší příběhy v druhé půlce. Flash Thompson tam pro mě ztratil veškerou auru středoškolského agresora a stal se z nej neškodnej ňouma, co hrozí pěstmi všem pomlouvačům Spider-mana. Johnny Storm má všechny neduhy pubertálního drajvu a nejednou si se Spider-manem vjedou do vlasů, jen aby si poměřili pindíky, přesto neváhá a přispěchá nabídnout Spider-manovi pomocnou ruku, kdykoliv vycítí přesilu a pomluvy mířené na Spider-mana v arcu Spidey Strikes Back bere možná ještě hůř než titulní hrdina. Bohužel neumí Lee moc psát ženy. Ani Betty ani Liz a dokonce ani Gwen nejsou dobře napsané postavy a tím pádem mě milostné mnohouhelníky nemají šanci zabavit.
A máme tu hlavně origin Spider-mana provázaný s jeho osudovou lekcí o zodpovědnosti, který se neobešel bez legendárního "S velkou mocí..." řečeným ve žlutém vypravěčském rámečku a ne strejdou Benem. Origin a první výskyt zde nachází i většina slavných Spider-manových záporáků.
V prvním annualu se všichni spojí a Spider-man je musí jednoho po druhém přemoci, což je vždycky zakončené jedním ze šesti triumfálních celostránkových zásahů. Celkově Lee s Ditkem excelují v budování problémů a payoffech jako ve zmíněném Spider-man Strikes Back.
Je zvláštní porovnávat Ditkovu kresbu na začátku a na konci a stejně tak i progres v Parkerově osobním životě, přihlédneme li, že se dost mluví o tom, jak Lee všechny kreslíře tlačil k tomu, aby kreslili víc jako Kirby a speciálně po Ditkovi požadoval, aby trochu polidštil všechny ty nepříjemné lidi v Parkerově okolí, a tak k zásadním změnám začalo docházet dlouho před Ditkovým odchodem.
Jinak na závěr by bylo dobré dodat, že jsem si to celé užil hlavně, protože jsem odpornej Spider-nerd.
March 28, 2018
Call me crazy, but I’ll never stop shipping Peter and Betty Brant.
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August 30, 2019
Spider-Man is one of my greatest passions yet it's taken me this long to finally get around to reading the early stories. I've actually had the book from the initial release and read it in stops and starts (to be fair, it followed me around the world). I finally decided to dig back in, went back to the beginning and started afresh. What a ride.
Lee and Ditko changed the face of comics with Spider-Man and this complete Ditko run is phenomenal. Everything is there from the beginning, starting with the concise and perfect origin story then building up Pete and his world, the fantastic supporting cast, the pathos and teenage spirit, the (to me) best rogues gallery in the history of comics and the sheer vibrant joy. It's all right off the bat.
Lee gets a lot of credit for his sharp take and themes but Ditko I feel is the real powerhouse, churning out classic costume after costume, visually representing an entire world, all while creeping everyone out with his weird figures and dynamic compositions. He set the tone for everything since and is rarely bettered.
Is it dated? Well, read now there are issues. Pacing can be slow in some stories, the dialogue and interactions obviously feel dated, Betty Brant is terminally irritating (and frankly looks weird most of the time) and her 'relationship' with Peter feels very underbaked. Sometimes you just want characters to actually talk to each other to avoid the repeated frustration. But...that actually feels more real, especially in a teenage viewpoint. And the themes and heart still remain completely relevant.
With so many classic moments and characters, this Omnibus delivers it all with wonderful reproductions and colour work including the letters and design of the original. A fascinating document and a lovely, if chunky book.
There should be collections of these stories on every comic book lovers shelves. Thank you to Stan and Steve.
Lee and Ditko changed the face of comics with Spider-Man and this complete Ditko run is phenomenal. Everything is there from the beginning, starting with the concise and perfect origin story then building up Pete and his world, the fantastic supporting cast, the pathos and teenage spirit, the (to me) best rogues gallery in the history of comics and the sheer vibrant joy. It's all right off the bat.
Lee gets a lot of credit for his sharp take and themes but Ditko I feel is the real powerhouse, churning out classic costume after costume, visually representing an entire world, all while creeping everyone out with his weird figures and dynamic compositions. He set the tone for everything since and is rarely bettered.
Is it dated? Well, read now there are issues. Pacing can be slow in some stories, the dialogue and interactions obviously feel dated, Betty Brant is terminally irritating (and frankly looks weird most of the time) and her 'relationship' with Peter feels very underbaked. Sometimes you just want characters to actually talk to each other to avoid the repeated frustration. But...that actually feels more real, especially in a teenage viewpoint. And the themes and heart still remain completely relevant.
With so many classic moments and characters, this Omnibus delivers it all with wonderful reproductions and colour work including the letters and design of the original. A fascinating document and a lovely, if chunky book.
There should be collections of these stories on every comic book lovers shelves. Thank you to Stan and Steve.
March 11, 2020
OMNIBUS!
I never thought I'd get so caught up in these classic comics, but I can't get over how fun this was. Between Spider-Man finding his voice as a wiseass, Stan Lee's unbridled enthusiasm and fourth-wall breaking, and Art Simek's POW! THWAP! FWOOSH!, this was a great time.
I'm a little confused about why they teased Mary Jane for years without showing her face or letting her meet Peter. Were people titillated by that at the time? I was like "Get out of here if you're just gonna play around" but whatever.
My favorite character was Betty Brant because she highlighted what a self-obsessed prick Peter Parker was. My least favorite character was Sandman because I hate sand.
I never thought I'd get so caught up in these classic comics, but I can't get over how fun this was. Between Spider-Man finding his voice as a wiseass, Stan Lee's unbridled enthusiasm and fourth-wall breaking, and Art Simek's POW! THWAP! FWOOSH!, this was a great time.
I'm a little confused about why they teased Mary Jane for years without showing her face or letting her meet Peter. Were people titillated by that at the time? I was like "Get out of here if you're just gonna play around" but whatever.
My favorite character was Betty Brant because she highlighted what a self-obsessed prick Peter Parker was. My least favorite character was Sandman because I hate sand.
September 22, 2019
Het begin van Spider-man, heel charmant en ietwat knullig.
January 27, 2022
the greatest superhero of all time
May 27, 2021
The amazing thing about these volumes is that, despite their age and the datedness of the format, they still can be read authentically. I find that most comics from this period can only be read as artifacts, but these I enjoyed as stories.
March 18, 2023
What a ride.
July 4, 2019
Gracias a Steve Ditko y Stan Lee por crear spiderman!!!
ver los inicios de los comics de spiderman sin un gran efecto de los dibujos como en la época actual pensaria que seria aburrido leerlo, pero me sorprendió gratamente las historias, las peleas, los dramas de Peter Parker, Me encanto como el verdadero peter era un inadaptado social debido a su responsabilidad de ser superheroe y no el cool spiderman que vemos actualmente.
Ame cada historia publicada y considero a Lee y Ditko como unos genios junto con kirby.
ver los inicios de los comics de spiderman sin un gran efecto de los dibujos como en la época actual pensaria que seria aburrido leerlo, pero me sorprendió gratamente las historias, las peleas, los dramas de Peter Parker, Me encanto como el verdadero peter era un inadaptado social debido a su responsabilidad de ser superheroe y no el cool spiderman que vemos actualmente.
Ame cada historia publicada y considero a Lee y Ditko como unos genios junto con kirby.
March 1, 2016
One of the greatest comic book ground breaking runs. Just "Amazing" You will care for the man behind the mask more than the hero...
September 30, 2016
This comic is absolutely AMAZING. Haha. so happy to read the first ever spiderman comics.
July 14, 2022
4.5 Stars
Ditko and Lee created many of the classic villains, and this collection contains many of them. While the collection tapers off some, the art remains great throughout.
Amazing Fantasy #15 ⧫ 5 Stars
“Spider-Man!”
Admittedly, it’s quick, but it lays out Spider-Man’s origin, and it isn’t afraid to make him unsympathetic and somewhat petty, which was revolutionary for the time. Dikto’s art is expressive, though it lacks backgrounds. However, I’m still going to give it five stars.
Amazing Spider-Man #1
“Spider-Man: Freak! Public Menace!” ⧫ 4.5 Stars
This issue focuses more on Spider-man’s human problems and unconventional hero status, still no supervillains! It continues Peter’s money troubles and complicates them with the addition of J. Jonah Jameson. This has some really amazing shots of Spider-man saving the shuttle. I actually think its weakness might be its brevity. The beginning and end are a little crunched.
“Spider-Man vs. the Chameleon!” ⧫ 5 Stars
This issue has both a great villain and great cameos, though Ditko’s version of the Fantastic Four is a little jarring for me. I love that Peter thinks of becoming a member of the Fantastic Four (that will take awhile), and their fight is really fun. Spider sense is introduced rather inconsistently, and people calling Spidey through his Spidey sense is rather dumb, but I’ll give it a pass. The Chameleon fight section is expertly crafted as an intelligent battle of minds. This is everything I want in a Spider-man story.
Amazing Spider-Man #2
“Duel to the Death with the Vulture!” ⧫ 4.5 Stars
I’d argue that the Vulture is Spider-man’s first supervillain. The Chameleon is more of a super-spy. The vulture fight is really fun and creative with the water tower scene being the first example of Spider-Man having to overcome a predicament that his powers might not cover. The end is a little out of nowhere, but the rest is great!
“The Uncanny Threat of the Terrible Tinkerer!” ⧫ 2.5 Stars
Ah, the first relative dud. Even Stan Lee admits that aliens and Spider-man don’t really mix, especially not this early. It’s nice to see the sciency side of Spider-man, but the Tinkerer and his plan aren’t great. The aliens even get retconned out in the 70s
Amazing Spider-Man #3 ⧫ 5 Stars
“Spider-Man versus Doctor Octopus, the Strangest Foe of All Time…”
So, this is essentially a continuation and expansion of the elements from the Chameleon story in issue 1. Doctor Octopus is my pick for Spider-man’s greatest villain (Sorry—not sorry—Goblin fans), and his first issue is awesome. Spider-man’s defeat and demoralization are natural outcroppings of his youth. It also leads into an excellent conclusion where Spider-man uses what he’s learned to win. This issue also officially starts the Human Torch and Spider-man friendship that is one of my favorite relationships in comics. This is a great comic and an essential Marvel issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #4 ⧫ 5 Stars
“Nothing Can Stop... the Sandman!”
Two in a row for powerhouse superhero introductions! This is the first story to blend everything: issues with the police, the difficulties of crime fighting, J. Jonah Jameson, the Parker money troubles, school problems, and a supervillain. It also does it in a way that’s both fun, Peter faking the Sandman photos, and sad, missing a date with Liz. It’s also got the first appearance of the great Betty Brant! All this and the fun fight against Sandman in some excellent Dikto panels.
Strange Tales Annual #2 ⧫ 3 Stars
“On the Trail of the Amazing Spider-Man!”
The Human Torch was at the height of his popularity here in his cash-grab spin-off in Strange Tales. This is one of the run’s better outings as the Torch and Spidey relationship continues here, and they establish their meeting place atop the Statue of Liberty. The highlight is their fight, a staple of superhero misunderstandings, though there is some silliness with the Torch’s hotheadedness (heh) the silly flame images (a power that doesn’t last), and the contrived ice web. The Fox and his gang are the usual uninspired villains that would show up in Strange Tales (Note: This is not the much more fun Fox, also a master thief, who would show up in the 80s). It’s also fun to see Kirby drawing and Ditko inking. It seems a bit rushed, but I enjoyed it. There’s too much fun here for me to really hate this.
Fantastic Four Annual #1 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Fabulous Fantastic Four Meet Spider-man!”
This is essentially a longer version of the fight scene from issue 1. Fun, but unnecessary.
Amazing Spider-Man #5 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“Marked for Destruction by Dr. Doom!”
Spider-man doesn’t remember when Chameleon summoned him with his spider sense? Stan Lee’s memory was pretty bad. Obligatory issue 5 Doctor Doom cameo was a thing then, and Ditko’s Doom looks weird, but the fight is fun, if inconsequential. Doom’s plan is a little weird, but he’s properly menacing, plus bonus points for the Doombot. It continues Peter’s school stuff, but the main new thing is that Spider-man is on the road to his first love interest.
Amazing Spider-Man #6 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Face-to-Face with... the Lizard!”
It’s a fun adventure story with a lot of interaction between Jonah and Peter. Lizard stories are all a little samey, and this is the archetype. The lizard is a neat foe, though his motivations are less than clear. It’s good spider fun!
Amazing Spider-Man #7 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“The Return of the Vulture”
Am I a Vulture fan? I feel like the Vulture as “old man with wings” has overshadowed how crafty and swift he used to be. The battle in the Daily Bugle office really makes this issue with the ending being a particular fave of mine because Betty Brant is awesome.
Amazing Spider-Man #8
“The Terrible Threat of The Living Brain!” ⧫ 3 Stars
Ah, the Living Brain. He’s fun kitsch in a really silly story. The Flash Thomson vs. Peter Parker aspect is way more interesting, but the rest is rather meh.
“Spider-Man Tackles the Torch!” ⧫ 3.5 Stars
Speaking of versus battles! It’s a fun fight-for-no-reason issue with some wacky early torch flame constructs. It’s fine fluff.
Amazing Spider-Man #9 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Man Called Electro!”
Electro is a cool villain and a real threat for Spider-Man. The subplot of May’s illness is good, though Betty and Peter’s rift seems somewhat forced; it’s still not my favorite. Also, much like the first Vulture defeat, Electro’s end comes out of nowhere. However, I feel like that last panel really works for me and the action is fun, so I’m willing to forgive quite a bit.
Amazing Spider-Man #10 ⧫ 3 Stars
“The Enforcers!”
A rushed gangster mystery story that doesn’t really deliver on much. The Big Man is much better used later on. I think the Enforcers are fine, but they are a rather silly remnant that probably seemed dated even in the early sixties. Betty’s past catches up with her, and I like her leaving to deal with it all on her own, but the last panel is not great.
Amazing Spider-Man #11 ⧫ 3 Stars
“Turning Point”
I like the stuff between Betty and Peter, but the way Betty acts about Spider-Man seems cliche, even for grief. There are some important moments, but even those are more stereotypical than they need to be. Also, Doc Ock seems somewhat more generic and creepy here, like the stereotypical one-off gangster Blackie Glaxton rubbed off on him. The fight on the boat is fun, but the rest, enh. Better Doc Ock next!
Amazing Spider-Man #12 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“Unmasked By Doctor Octopus!”
Doctor Octopus goes berserk and Spider-Man is unmasked! This unmasking is a seminal moment that is referenced quite often in the future. So much so, that I forgot some of the funny stuff that happens in this issue. Betty frees herself! Progressive stuff for the 60s. Also, she gets the classic Betty Brant haircut that I love. The circus animal fights and Doc Ock chase are neat if a little nonsensical. However, the climax in the burning building is pretty great. Even Doctor Octopus’ obsession and denial feel much more threatening. This story is a real turning point in the series.
Amazing Spider-Man #13 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“The Menace of... Mysterio!”
So, I like Mysterio, but this issue seems like a lot of repeated themes. Spider-Imposter stealing things, Betty frustratingly worrying, and J. Jonah Jameson being webbed at the end, Even Mysterio seems to mostly just have smoke. He does a few other things, but that’s all to confound Spidey before the smoke. The movie studio fight is fun, and Mysterio posing as a hero is nice, but it just leads to very samey Jonah stuff. It’s not a bad issue, this is where the series starts to spin its wheels sometimes.
Amazing Spider-Man #14 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Grotesque Adventure of the Green Goblin”
Full disclosure, I am not a Green Goblin fan. I think he’s incredibly overrated, and I love that his first adventure is incredibly goofy, rather nonsensical, and very silly. The Goblin has Spider-Man go to two different and incredibly far away states… to surprise attack him. Also, Namor did this back in Fantastic Four Annual #1! It seems like an excuse to pit Spider-Man against the Hulk, which is actually fun and full of life. Unfortunately, the rest of it isn’t great.
Amazing Spider-Man #15 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Kraven the Hunter!”
The return of the Chameleon and the introduction of Kraven provide a different spin on the villain for hire. Much like the Lizard, Kraven stories tend to be somewhat similar, but his first outing is a good example, especially with the trickery in their final fight. Bringing this issue down is Betty and Liz’s first meeting, which does not bring out my favorite side of Betty, but at least Liz’s doting and Peter’s befuddlement play into it this time. J. Jonah Jameson actually gets to be more of a reliable newspaper publisher with this issue when he notes some potential issues with Kraven. Jonah still roots for Kraven, but at least it shows he’s not a complete nut. Also, this is the first mention of the nice girl who would become Mary Jane Watson. All in all, it’s a classic issue with a cool ground-based final fight.
*Reading Order Note: Lists often put Amazing Spider-Man #16 before Annual #1*
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 ⧫ 5 Stars
“The Sinister Six”
This is just a fantastic issue. It’s essentially everything a person needs to know about Spider-Man in one marathon bout. Even the blatant ads for the other Marvel comics are fairly well integrated. The card thing is a bit wonky, but honestly, I forgive it. It’s rightly remembered as a great issue, and it’s one of the best Lee & Ditko.
Amazing Spider-Man #16 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“Duel with Daredevil”
I really like the stuff with Daredevil, and Ditko draws the character well. 60s Matt Murdock is far more fun than his post-80s counterpart. Unfortunately, there’s some badly written Betty this issue, and the Ringmaster isn’t the most inspiring villain, but it’s good enough.
Amazing Spider-Man #17 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“The Return of the Green Goblin!”
Okay, I gave the Goblin some crap about his first appearance, but I genuinely think his second is great. Not necessarily for him, but because of the unique structure, ending, and fallout in this issue and beyond. It’s got some good use of the Human Torch as a guest star, and I love the respect building between Spidey and the Torch. Honestly, the only problems I have are the continued poor handling of Liz and Betty.
Amazing Spider-Man #18 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“The End of Spider-Man!”
No fights needed, only responsibility. It’s a pure character and consequences issue, and I am here for it.
Amazing Spider-Man #19 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Spidey Strikes Back!”
A strong conclusion to a great trilogy. It’s not quite as good as the first two, but it wraps up everything with the Sandman, Enforcers, and of course, J. Jonah Jameson. It also features the first appearance of Ned Leeds who is fine here, but will cause Peter to get frustratingly jealous soon. Also, Spidey repays the Human Torch for issue 17 with a save.
Amazing Spider-Man #20 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Coming of the Scorpion! Or: Spidey Battles Scorpey!”
So, the Scorpion is fine, but his first appearance feels both very stock and far too fast. There is some very convenient non recreatable mad science where the Scorpion is created in a few hours while Peter and Betty see Ned Leeds off? That would have been cliché in the 1940s. Also, jealous Peter begins here… However, the Scorpion fight is pretty neat, and the Jonah heelturn is fairly well handled.
Amazing Spider-Man #21 ⧫ 2 Stars
“Where flies the Beetle...!”
It’s all jealousy all the time with another Strange Tales villain with a Torch guest appearance. Now, I’m a Spidey/Torch fan, but this is bad superhero rom com antics. Dorrie Evans is not great. There’s a much better follow up in Untold Tales of Spider-Man Annual ‘96.
Amazing Spider-Man #22 ⧫ 1.5 Stars
“Preeeeeesenting...The Clown, and the Masters of Menace!”
Oh, Circus of Crime, why? More jealous Peter and Betty here with some Peter being befuddled by Princess Python being a girl that’s all aged very badly. Literally, the best thing is the inside joke about Steve Ditko being unable to draw feet on page 5.
Amazing Spider-Man #23 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Goblin and the Gangsters”
Honestly, this is a solid issue. Now I’ve hated a Torch issue and liked a Goblin issue! What is happening? This episode has a little of the jealousy plague, but the Goblin’s plan is great as is Spider-Man’s call to Aunt May. This is the kind of Gobby I like.
Amazing Spider-Man #24 ⧫ 3 Stars
“Spider-Man Goes Mad!”
Honestly, I like the switch up of our mystery villain’s plan, but it is also rather silly and requires a ton of work. Plus, most of the background character stuff involves jealousy.
Amazing Spider-Man #25 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“Captured by J.Jonah Jameson!”
This is a comedy issue with the only sane one being Betty, astonishingly. It seems like J.J.J. forgets about the Scorpion at the slightest provocation. I guess I also really dislike the robot, which will become the first of the Spider Slayer line. Also, this has the famous faceless on-panel appearance of Mary Jane where she looks like a flower is eating her face. Basically, many things bolster this fairly crappy issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #26 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Man in the Crime-Master's Mask!”
Whereas the previous story redid another issue badly, this issue is essentially the new and improved issue 10. This issue uses both the Goblin and Foswell’s mysteries to craft a new and impressive story. It helps that the Crime Master seems like he stepped from the pulp era. Also, it’s a two parter that has a really good cliffhanger, even the fact that Spider-Man lost his suit plays into this.
Amazing Spider-Man #27 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Bring Back My Goblin to Me!”
The conclusion is strong! It continues playing with reader expectations, and aside from a little narrative convenience, sets up a new Daily Bugle status quo nicely.
Amazing Spider-Man #28 ⧫ 3 Stars
“The Menace of the Molten Man!”
The best part of this issue is the cover. The Molten Man will more interesting much later, but right now, he’s just a hood. The Liz Allan sections humanize her right as she leaves the book for awhile, aside from a minor appearance in a few issues. The graduation is fine, but brief. It’s important, but not really for the villain stuff.
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 ⧫ 3 Stars
“The Wondrous World of Dr. Strange”
It’s different in terms of Spider-Man, but standard in terms of Doctor Strange.
Amazing Spider-Man #29 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“Never Step on A Scorpion!”
Peter is a jerk as Ned Leeds returns. The Scorpion is back due to stupid excuse, and while his fight is good, it’s nothing really new.
Amazing Spider-Man #30 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“The Claws of the Cat!”
This issue has a lot of good Flash, Liz, and Betty stuff, though Peter continues to be kind of a creep. He has his reasons, but still... I’ve bemoaned some of the melodrama, but the Betty-Peter breakup is pretty intense and more real than many of their interactions. Also, love that last panel.
Amazing Spider-Man #31 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“If This Be My Destiny...!”
The beginning of the Master Planner Saga! It’s also the first Empire State University story, but Gwen and Harry are kind of jerks in their first appearances. This isn’t helped by Flash, and I can’t help but long for the time when they will all be friends. The continuation of the outsider stuff from high school is out of place because college is very different. I think the Master Planner arc starts of well as Peter’s life spins out of control.
Amazing Spider-Man #32 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“Man on a Rampage!”
I’m always a fan of Peter being desperate, and this issue ends on one of the key moments in Spider-history. Anyone reading it for the first time will probably find it familiar, given that it is often repeated. Much like the Crime Master two-parter, it does a good job of using all the elements of Spider-Man’s life to drive the tension. I do wish the Master Planner’s identity had been revealed with more gravitas, but honestly, I can’t complain.
Amazing Spider-Man #33 ⧫ 5 Stars
“The Final Chapter!”
Desperation, struggle, perseverance. This issue is rightly remembered as one of the greats. There are some frustrating Betty Brant panels, but this is the last great Lee-Ditko collaboration.
Amazing Spider-Man #34 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Thrill of the Hunt”
Betty Brant stuff bookends the issue, though it’s not really relevant. I actually like the dream opening. Then, Kraven uses Chameleon tactics, which will have more ramifications in the 80s; otherwise, it’s mostly stuff we’ve seen.
Amazing Spider-Man #35 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Molten Man Regrets...!”
Very skippable issue. Cool Ditko art, but the story is just kind of nothing.
Amazing Spider-Man #36 ⧫ 2 Stars
“When Falls the Meteor!”
The Looter continues the generic Science Fiction villain theme while Gwen re-enacts the early Peter Parker coward comments!
Amazing Spider-Man #37 ⧫ 3 Stars
“Once Upon a Time, There Was a Robot...!”
There is some solid Foswell stuff and the first (named) appearance of Norman Osborn! But, the robots are somewhat disappointing, and the Gwen stuff feels like more retread.
Amazing Spider-Man #38 ⧫ 2 Stars
“Just a Guy Named Joe!”
The end of an era. Ditko leaves after this issue. Unfortunately, this is kind of a nothing issue. It’s status quo for the college scenes, and the Joe stuff is very silly and standard.
Next:
Untold Tales of Spider-Man Omnibus
Ditko and Lee created many of the classic villains, and this collection contains many of them. While the collection tapers off some, the art remains great throughout.
Amazing Fantasy #15 ⧫ 5 Stars
“Spider-Man!”
Admittedly, it’s quick, but it lays out Spider-Man’s origin, and it isn’t afraid to make him unsympathetic and somewhat petty, which was revolutionary for the time. Dikto’s art is expressive, though it lacks backgrounds. However, I’m still going to give it five stars.
Amazing Spider-Man #1
“Spider-Man: Freak! Public Menace!” ⧫ 4.5 Stars
This issue focuses more on Spider-man’s human problems and unconventional hero status, still no supervillains! It continues Peter’s money troubles and complicates them with the addition of J. Jonah Jameson. This has some really amazing shots of Spider-man saving the shuttle. I actually think its weakness might be its brevity. The beginning and end are a little crunched.
“Spider-Man vs. the Chameleon!” ⧫ 5 Stars
This issue has both a great villain and great cameos, though Ditko’s version of the Fantastic Four is a little jarring for me. I love that Peter thinks of becoming a member of the Fantastic Four (that will take awhile), and their fight is really fun. Spider sense is introduced rather inconsistently, and people calling Spidey through his Spidey sense is rather dumb, but I’ll give it a pass. The Chameleon fight section is expertly crafted as an intelligent battle of minds. This is everything I want in a Spider-man story.
Amazing Spider-Man #2
“Duel to the Death with the Vulture!” ⧫ 4.5 Stars
I’d argue that the Vulture is Spider-man’s first supervillain. The Chameleon is more of a super-spy. The vulture fight is really fun and creative with the water tower scene being the first example of Spider-Man having to overcome a predicament that his powers might not cover. The end is a little out of nowhere, but the rest is great!
“The Uncanny Threat of the Terrible Tinkerer!” ⧫ 2.5 Stars
Ah, the first relative dud. Even Stan Lee admits that aliens and Spider-man don’t really mix, especially not this early. It’s nice to see the sciency side of Spider-man, but the Tinkerer and his plan aren’t great. The aliens even get retconned out in the 70s
Amazing Spider-Man #3 ⧫ 5 Stars
“Spider-Man versus Doctor Octopus, the Strangest Foe of All Time…”
So, this is essentially a continuation and expansion of the elements from the Chameleon story in issue 1. Doctor Octopus is my pick for Spider-man’s greatest villain (Sorry—not sorry—Goblin fans), and his first issue is awesome. Spider-man’s defeat and demoralization are natural outcroppings of his youth. It also leads into an excellent conclusion where Spider-man uses what he’s learned to win. This issue also officially starts the Human Torch and Spider-man friendship that is one of my favorite relationships in comics. This is a great comic and an essential Marvel issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #4 ⧫ 5 Stars
“Nothing Can Stop... the Sandman!”
Two in a row for powerhouse superhero introductions! This is the first story to blend everything: issues with the police, the difficulties of crime fighting, J. Jonah Jameson, the Parker money troubles, school problems, and a supervillain. It also does it in a way that’s both fun, Peter faking the Sandman photos, and sad, missing a date with Liz. It’s also got the first appearance of the great Betty Brant! All this and the fun fight against Sandman in some excellent Dikto panels.
Strange Tales Annual #2 ⧫ 3 Stars
“On the Trail of the Amazing Spider-Man!”
The Human Torch was at the height of his popularity here in his cash-grab spin-off in Strange Tales. This is one of the run’s better outings as the Torch and Spidey relationship continues here, and they establish their meeting place atop the Statue of Liberty. The highlight is their fight, a staple of superhero misunderstandings, though there is some silliness with the Torch’s hotheadedness (heh) the silly flame images (a power that doesn’t last), and the contrived ice web. The Fox and his gang are the usual uninspired villains that would show up in Strange Tales (Note: This is not the much more fun Fox, also a master thief, who would show up in the 80s). It’s also fun to see Kirby drawing and Ditko inking. It seems a bit rushed, but I enjoyed it. There’s too much fun here for me to really hate this.
Fantastic Four Annual #1 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Fabulous Fantastic Four Meet Spider-man!”
This is essentially a longer version of the fight scene from issue 1. Fun, but unnecessary.
Amazing Spider-Man #5 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“Marked for Destruction by Dr. Doom!”
Spider-man doesn’t remember when Chameleon summoned him with his spider sense? Stan Lee’s memory was pretty bad. Obligatory issue 5 Doctor Doom cameo was a thing then, and Ditko’s Doom looks weird, but the fight is fun, if inconsequential. Doom’s plan is a little weird, but he’s properly menacing, plus bonus points for the Doombot. It continues Peter’s school stuff, but the main new thing is that Spider-man is on the road to his first love interest.
Amazing Spider-Man #6 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Face-to-Face with... the Lizard!”
It’s a fun adventure story with a lot of interaction between Jonah and Peter. Lizard stories are all a little samey, and this is the archetype. The lizard is a neat foe, though his motivations are less than clear. It’s good spider fun!
Amazing Spider-Man #7 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“The Return of the Vulture”
Am I a Vulture fan? I feel like the Vulture as “old man with wings” has overshadowed how crafty and swift he used to be. The battle in the Daily Bugle office really makes this issue with the ending being a particular fave of mine because Betty Brant is awesome.
Amazing Spider-Man #8
“The Terrible Threat of The Living Brain!” ⧫ 3 Stars
Ah, the Living Brain. He’s fun kitsch in a really silly story. The Flash Thomson vs. Peter Parker aspect is way more interesting, but the rest is rather meh.
“Spider-Man Tackles the Torch!” ⧫ 3.5 Stars
Speaking of versus battles! It’s a fun fight-for-no-reason issue with some wacky early torch flame constructs. It’s fine fluff.
Amazing Spider-Man #9 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Man Called Electro!”
Electro is a cool villain and a real threat for Spider-Man. The subplot of May’s illness is good, though Betty and Peter’s rift seems somewhat forced; it’s still not my favorite. Also, much like the first Vulture defeat, Electro’s end comes out of nowhere. However, I feel like that last panel really works for me and the action is fun, so I’m willing to forgive quite a bit.
Amazing Spider-Man #10 ⧫ 3 Stars
“The Enforcers!”
A rushed gangster mystery story that doesn’t really deliver on much. The Big Man is much better used later on. I think the Enforcers are fine, but they are a rather silly remnant that probably seemed dated even in the early sixties. Betty’s past catches up with her, and I like her leaving to deal with it all on her own, but the last panel is not great.
Amazing Spider-Man #11 ⧫ 3 Stars
“Turning Point”
I like the stuff between Betty and Peter, but the way Betty acts about Spider-Man seems cliche, even for grief. There are some important moments, but even those are more stereotypical than they need to be. Also, Doc Ock seems somewhat more generic and creepy here, like the stereotypical one-off gangster Blackie Glaxton rubbed off on him. The fight on the boat is fun, but the rest, enh. Better Doc Ock next!
Amazing Spider-Man #12 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“Unmasked By Doctor Octopus!”
Doctor Octopus goes berserk and Spider-Man is unmasked! This unmasking is a seminal moment that is referenced quite often in the future. So much so, that I forgot some of the funny stuff that happens in this issue. Betty frees herself! Progressive stuff for the 60s. Also, she gets the classic Betty Brant haircut that I love. The circus animal fights and Doc Ock chase are neat if a little nonsensical. However, the climax in the burning building is pretty great. Even Doctor Octopus’ obsession and denial feel much more threatening. This story is a real turning point in the series.
Amazing Spider-Man #13 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“The Menace of... Mysterio!”
So, I like Mysterio, but this issue seems like a lot of repeated themes. Spider-Imposter stealing things, Betty frustratingly worrying, and J. Jonah Jameson being webbed at the end, Even Mysterio seems to mostly just have smoke. He does a few other things, but that’s all to confound Spidey before the smoke. The movie studio fight is fun, and Mysterio posing as a hero is nice, but it just leads to very samey Jonah stuff. It’s not a bad issue, this is where the series starts to spin its wheels sometimes.
Amazing Spider-Man #14 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Grotesque Adventure of the Green Goblin”
Full disclosure, I am not a Green Goblin fan. I think he’s incredibly overrated, and I love that his first adventure is incredibly goofy, rather nonsensical, and very silly. The Goblin has Spider-Man go to two different and incredibly far away states… to surprise attack him. Also, Namor did this back in Fantastic Four Annual #1! It seems like an excuse to pit Spider-Man against the Hulk, which is actually fun and full of life. Unfortunately, the rest of it isn’t great.
Amazing Spider-Man #15 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Kraven the Hunter!”
The return of the Chameleon and the introduction of Kraven provide a different spin on the villain for hire. Much like the Lizard, Kraven stories tend to be somewhat similar, but his first outing is a good example, especially with the trickery in their final fight. Bringing this issue down is Betty and Liz’s first meeting, which does not bring out my favorite side of Betty, but at least Liz’s doting and Peter’s befuddlement play into it this time. J. Jonah Jameson actually gets to be more of a reliable newspaper publisher with this issue when he notes some potential issues with Kraven. Jonah still roots for Kraven, but at least it shows he’s not a complete nut. Also, this is the first mention of the nice girl who would become Mary Jane Watson. All in all, it’s a classic issue with a cool ground-based final fight.
*Reading Order Note: Lists often put Amazing Spider-Man #16 before Annual #1*
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 ⧫ 5 Stars
“The Sinister Six”
This is just a fantastic issue. It’s essentially everything a person needs to know about Spider-Man in one marathon bout. Even the blatant ads for the other Marvel comics are fairly well integrated. The card thing is a bit wonky, but honestly, I forgive it. It’s rightly remembered as a great issue, and it’s one of the best Lee & Ditko.
Amazing Spider-Man #16 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“Duel with Daredevil”
I really like the stuff with Daredevil, and Ditko draws the character well. 60s Matt Murdock is far more fun than his post-80s counterpart. Unfortunately, there’s some badly written Betty this issue, and the Ringmaster isn’t the most inspiring villain, but it’s good enough.
Amazing Spider-Man #17 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“The Return of the Green Goblin!”
Okay, I gave the Goblin some crap about his first appearance, but I genuinely think his second is great. Not necessarily for him, but because of the unique structure, ending, and fallout in this issue and beyond. It’s got some good use of the Human Torch as a guest star, and I love the respect building between Spidey and the Torch. Honestly, the only problems I have are the continued poor handling of Liz and Betty.
Amazing Spider-Man #18 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“The End of Spider-Man!”
No fights needed, only responsibility. It’s a pure character and consequences issue, and I am here for it.
Amazing Spider-Man #19 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Spidey Strikes Back!”
A strong conclusion to a great trilogy. It’s not quite as good as the first two, but it wraps up everything with the Sandman, Enforcers, and of course, J. Jonah Jameson. It also features the first appearance of Ned Leeds who is fine here, but will cause Peter to get frustratingly jealous soon. Also, Spidey repays the Human Torch for issue 17 with a save.
Amazing Spider-Man #20 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Coming of the Scorpion! Or: Spidey Battles Scorpey!”
So, the Scorpion is fine, but his first appearance feels both very stock and far too fast. There is some very convenient non recreatable mad science where the Scorpion is created in a few hours while Peter and Betty see Ned Leeds off? That would have been cliché in the 1940s. Also, jealous Peter begins here… However, the Scorpion fight is pretty neat, and the Jonah heelturn is fairly well handled.
Amazing Spider-Man #21 ⧫ 2 Stars
“Where flies the Beetle...!”
It’s all jealousy all the time with another Strange Tales villain with a Torch guest appearance. Now, I’m a Spidey/Torch fan, but this is bad superhero rom com antics. Dorrie Evans is not great. There’s a much better follow up in Untold Tales of Spider-Man Annual ‘96.
Amazing Spider-Man #22 ⧫ 1.5 Stars
“Preeeeeesenting...The Clown, and the Masters of Menace!”
Oh, Circus of Crime, why? More jealous Peter and Betty here with some Peter being befuddled by Princess Python being a girl that’s all aged very badly. Literally, the best thing is the inside joke about Steve Ditko being unable to draw feet on page 5.
Amazing Spider-Man #23 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Goblin and the Gangsters”
Honestly, this is a solid issue. Now I’ve hated a Torch issue and liked a Goblin issue! What is happening? This episode has a little of the jealousy plague, but the Goblin’s plan is great as is Spider-Man’s call to Aunt May. This is the kind of Gobby I like.
Amazing Spider-Man #24 ⧫ 3 Stars
“Spider-Man Goes Mad!”
Honestly, I like the switch up of our mystery villain’s plan, but it is also rather silly and requires a ton of work. Plus, most of the background character stuff involves jealousy.
Amazing Spider-Man #25 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“Captured by J.Jonah Jameson!”
This is a comedy issue with the only sane one being Betty, astonishingly. It seems like J.J.J. forgets about the Scorpion at the slightest provocation. I guess I also really dislike the robot, which will become the first of the Spider Slayer line. Also, this has the famous faceless on-panel appearance of Mary Jane where she looks like a flower is eating her face. Basically, many things bolster this fairly crappy issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #26 ⧫ 4 Stars
“The Man in the Crime-Master's Mask!”
Whereas the previous story redid another issue badly, this issue is essentially the new and improved issue 10. This issue uses both the Goblin and Foswell’s mysteries to craft a new and impressive story. It helps that the Crime Master seems like he stepped from the pulp era. Also, it’s a two parter that has a really good cliffhanger, even the fact that Spider-Man lost his suit plays into this.
Amazing Spider-Man #27 ⧫ 4 Stars
“Bring Back My Goblin to Me!”
The conclusion is strong! It continues playing with reader expectations, and aside from a little narrative convenience, sets up a new Daily Bugle status quo nicely.
Amazing Spider-Man #28 ⧫ 3 Stars
“The Menace of the Molten Man!”
The best part of this issue is the cover. The Molten Man will more interesting much later, but right now, he’s just a hood. The Liz Allan sections humanize her right as she leaves the book for awhile, aside from a minor appearance in a few issues. The graduation is fine, but brief. It’s important, but not really for the villain stuff.
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 ⧫ 3 Stars
“The Wondrous World of Dr. Strange”
It’s different in terms of Spider-Man, but standard in terms of Doctor Strange.
Amazing Spider-Man #29 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“Never Step on A Scorpion!”
Peter is a jerk as Ned Leeds returns. The Scorpion is back due to stupid excuse, and while his fight is good, it’s nothing really new.
Amazing Spider-Man #30 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“The Claws of the Cat!”
This issue has a lot of good Flash, Liz, and Betty stuff, though Peter continues to be kind of a creep. He has his reasons, but still... I’ve bemoaned some of the melodrama, but the Betty-Peter breakup is pretty intense and more real than many of their interactions. Also, love that last panel.
Amazing Spider-Man #31 ⧫ 3.5 Stars
“If This Be My Destiny...!”
The beginning of the Master Planner Saga! It’s also the first Empire State University story, but Gwen and Harry are kind of jerks in their first appearances. This isn’t helped by Flash, and I can’t help but long for the time when they will all be friends. The continuation of the outsider stuff from high school is out of place because college is very different. I think the Master Planner arc starts of well as Peter’s life spins out of control.
Amazing Spider-Man #32 ⧫ 4.5 Stars
“Man on a Rampage!”
I’m always a fan of Peter being desperate, and this issue ends on one of the key moments in Spider-history. Anyone reading it for the first time will probably find it familiar, given that it is often repeated. Much like the Crime Master two-parter, it does a good job of using all the elements of Spider-Man’s life to drive the tension. I do wish the Master Planner’s identity had been revealed with more gravitas, but honestly, I can’t complain.
Amazing Spider-Man #33 ⧫ 5 Stars
“The Final Chapter!”
Desperation, struggle, perseverance. This issue is rightly remembered as one of the greats. There are some frustrating Betty Brant panels, but this is the last great Lee-Ditko collaboration.
Amazing Spider-Man #34 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Thrill of the Hunt”
Betty Brant stuff bookends the issue, though it’s not really relevant. I actually like the dream opening. Then, Kraven uses Chameleon tactics, which will have more ramifications in the 80s; otherwise, it’s mostly stuff we’ve seen.
Amazing Spider-Man #35 ⧫ 2.5 Stars
“The Molten Man Regrets...!”
Very skippable issue. Cool Ditko art, but the story is just kind of nothing.
Amazing Spider-Man #36 ⧫ 2 Stars
“When Falls the Meteor!”
The Looter continues the generic Science Fiction villain theme while Gwen re-enacts the early Peter Parker coward comments!
Amazing Spider-Man #37 ⧫ 3 Stars
“Once Upon a Time, There Was a Robot...!”
There is some solid Foswell stuff and the first (named) appearance of Norman Osborn! But, the robots are somewhat disappointing, and the Gwen stuff feels like more retread.
Amazing Spider-Man #38 ⧫ 2 Stars
“Just a Guy Named Joe!”
The end of an era. Ditko leaves after this issue. Unfortunately, this is kind of a nothing issue. It’s status quo for the college scenes, and the Joe stuff is very silly and standard.
Next:
Untold Tales of Spider-Man Omnibus
January 20, 2021
This volume covers the first-ever Spider-Man arc as written by Stan Lee and plotted/illustrated by Steve Ditko. As a lover of history and, of course, comics, it's essential reading.
It's impressive to see how fully formed this character's arrival was. Unlike Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, whose personalities, tropes, powers, and rogue's galleries didn't crystalize for years (or even decades), Spidey as created still bears a remarkable resemblance to the hero we know and love today. From his rock-solid motivation (the death of his Uncle Ben) to his powers and iconic costume, it is all on the page from the outset. Even more astounding is that the bulk of his greatest enemies are introduced in this run - Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, the Lizard, Scorpion, Vulture, and many more appear right away. Spidey also has a great rivalry with the Human Torch that I never knew about prior to reading this.
Beyond the still impressive artwork, two things are remarkable to the modern day reader. First are Peter's internal struggles. He becomes a hero as a teenager. Already feeling ostracized by his classmates due to his nerdy nature and impoverished background, being a hero forces him to distance himself even more from his peers (how can he attend a party or get into a relationship when there's crimes to be fought and secret identities to maintain?). It's also fun to see a hero who, as is typical of teens, is at times cocky, over-confident, and frustrated to the point of quitting his role. This portrayal is truly timeless. The other thing that resonates is the theme of "with great power comes great responsibility." Although everyone now knows this quote, the story really delivers substance to it. Almost every one of Spidey's foes are adults imbued with wealth, genius, opportunity, and/or imposing physical strength. And yet none of them use their power responsibly. While the adults strive to do evil, maintain power, or work for personal gain, it is the youthful Peter Parker that is responsible, fighting for justice and righteousness even to his own personal detriment. By choosing to be a hero, Peter gives hope to the future that has been squandered or abandoned by the adults of the present.
Of course, this story is a product of it's time. The dialogue is at times laughable and often explains what is being shown on the panel. As comics still weren't giant businesses, quality control is lacking as character names are misstated and punctuation is missing. The dating lives of the characters seem like it comes from another planet. And while Spidey himself hits the page running, many of the villains won't become as menacing until later on (particularly the Green Goblin, who initially appears flying on a mechanized broomstick). Dr. Octopus, however, is an A+ villain from the get go. And the omnibus itself goes out with a whimper (Lee and Ditko had a falling out towards the end of the run, and the discontent is apparent on the page as the final handful of stories are completely uninspired). But the good far outweighs the bad, and I highly recommend this.
It's impressive to see how fully formed this character's arrival was. Unlike Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, whose personalities, tropes, powers, and rogue's galleries didn't crystalize for years (or even decades), Spidey as created still bears a remarkable resemblance to the hero we know and love today. From his rock-solid motivation (the death of his Uncle Ben) to his powers and iconic costume, it is all on the page from the outset. Even more astounding is that the bulk of his greatest enemies are introduced in this run - Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, the Lizard, Scorpion, Vulture, and many more appear right away. Spidey also has a great rivalry with the Human Torch that I never knew about prior to reading this.
Beyond the still impressive artwork, two things are remarkable to the modern day reader. First are Peter's internal struggles. He becomes a hero as a teenager. Already feeling ostracized by his classmates due to his nerdy nature and impoverished background, being a hero forces him to distance himself even more from his peers (how can he attend a party or get into a relationship when there's crimes to be fought and secret identities to maintain?). It's also fun to see a hero who, as is typical of teens, is at times cocky, over-confident, and frustrated to the point of quitting his role. This portrayal is truly timeless. The other thing that resonates is the theme of "with great power comes great responsibility." Although everyone now knows this quote, the story really delivers substance to it. Almost every one of Spidey's foes are adults imbued with wealth, genius, opportunity, and/or imposing physical strength. And yet none of them use their power responsibly. While the adults strive to do evil, maintain power, or work for personal gain, it is the youthful Peter Parker that is responsible, fighting for justice and righteousness even to his own personal detriment. By choosing to be a hero, Peter gives hope to the future that has been squandered or abandoned by the adults of the present.
Of course, this story is a product of it's time. The dialogue is at times laughable and often explains what is being shown on the panel. As comics still weren't giant businesses, quality control is lacking as character names are misstated and punctuation is missing. The dating lives of the characters seem like it comes from another planet. And while Spidey himself hits the page running, many of the villains won't become as menacing until later on (particularly the Green Goblin, who initially appears flying on a mechanized broomstick). Dr. Octopus, however, is an A+ villain from the get go. And the omnibus itself goes out with a whimper (Lee and Ditko had a falling out towards the end of the run, and the discontent is apparent on the page as the final handful of stories are completely uninspired). But the good far outweighs the bad, and I highly recommend this.
November 20, 2022
After I watched Spider-Man: No Way Home in cinemas last year, I decided to read this omnibus as I wanted to read the original comics to see how the character of Spider-Man started. By coincidence, this year also marks Spider-Man's 60th anniversary since his 1962 debut.
This omnibus includes the run by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (who co-created Spider-Man with Stan Lee). The volume includes Spidey's debut in Amazing Fantasy #15, the first 38 issues in the Amazing Spider-Man series as well as the first two Spider-Man annuals.
In 1962, Stan Lee & Steve Ditko revolutionized both the comics industry and popular culture when they created Spider-Man, giving readers a superhero they could relate with. Unlike other superheroes, Spider-Man had the issues of a regular teenager such as school & college, girl trouble, trouble finding a job, and troubles at home.
In this omnibus, the reader is not only introduced to Spider-Man/Peter Parker but a supporting cast including Peter's Aunt May and Uncle Ben (who taught Peter an important lesson with those now iconic words: "With great power, there must also come great responsibility."), Flash Thompson, J. Jonah Jameson, Gwen Stacy, as well as some of Spider-Man's most well-known villains such as the Vulture, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter and the Green Goblin.
The volume also includes some bonuses like extracts from the Spider's Web (the fan letter's page of The Amazing Spider-Man comics), essays, and never-before-seen original artwork while the front cover features a fabulous copy of the Amazing Fantasy #15 cover painted by Alex Ross.
I recommend this to all fans of Spider-Man, young and old. Even if you're not a Spider-Man fan or a fan of comics, you'll love this book.
This omnibus includes the run by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (who co-created Spider-Man with Stan Lee). The volume includes Spidey's debut in Amazing Fantasy #15, the first 38 issues in the Amazing Spider-Man series as well as the first two Spider-Man annuals.
In 1962, Stan Lee & Steve Ditko revolutionized both the comics industry and popular culture when they created Spider-Man, giving readers a superhero they could relate with. Unlike other superheroes, Spider-Man had the issues of a regular teenager such as school & college, girl trouble, trouble finding a job, and troubles at home.
In this omnibus, the reader is not only introduced to Spider-Man/Peter Parker but a supporting cast including Peter's Aunt May and Uncle Ben (who taught Peter an important lesson with those now iconic words: "With great power, there must also come great responsibility."), Flash Thompson, J. Jonah Jameson, Gwen Stacy, as well as some of Spider-Man's most well-known villains such as the Vulture, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter and the Green Goblin.
The volume also includes some bonuses like extracts from the Spider's Web (the fan letter's page of The Amazing Spider-Man comics), essays, and never-before-seen original artwork while the front cover features a fabulous copy of the Amazing Fantasy #15 cover painted by Alex Ross.
I recommend this to all fans of Spider-Man, young and old. Even if you're not a Spider-Man fan or a fan of comics, you'll love this book.
April 5, 2023
Breakout Character of His Era
The best of Spider-Man's beginnings as he tries to get his bearings. I could really feel some of Peter's struggles to support himself and his aunt. Including some answers on why he couldn't keep performing. Mainly because of J. Jonah Jameson. Yet Jameson's probably the most entertaining part of this whole thing. His loud and over-the-top personality really sells how much Spider-Man has with fitting in. He's more of an everyday villain than Doc Ock or Green Goblin. The kind you feel relieved when he gets those moments of comeuppance. But never enough with how much he lords over Peter with underselling the pictures he gets for him. The pressure that caused Peter to hide who he is from people like Jameson also takes its toll on him. There's an emotional vulnerability Peter tries to hide and tries to roll with. Seeing how most of Marvel's other superheroes react to him really gives Spider-Man a sense of isolation from them. Partly because of his immaturity and that need to stay closeted less the Jamesons do anything worse.
But then, when his college activities start things change. Peter becomes colder to even the reader. I've heard how Steve Ditko had some influence around this time more than Stan Lee. As far as the mundane part of Peter's life anyway. Ditko's objectivism tract shows up a bit more times there. He's still a great artist with how he moves Spider-Man's acrobatics around in believable poses. But Stan gave Peter more of a soul. Frankly it's not hard to see why Stan and Ditko drifted apart after this.
The best of Spider-Man's beginnings as he tries to get his bearings. I could really feel some of Peter's struggles to support himself and his aunt. Including some answers on why he couldn't keep performing. Mainly because of J. Jonah Jameson. Yet Jameson's probably the most entertaining part of this whole thing. His loud and over-the-top personality really sells how much Spider-Man has with fitting in. He's more of an everyday villain than Doc Ock or Green Goblin. The kind you feel relieved when he gets those moments of comeuppance. But never enough with how much he lords over Peter with underselling the pictures he gets for him. The pressure that caused Peter to hide who he is from people like Jameson also takes its toll on him. There's an emotional vulnerability Peter tries to hide and tries to roll with. Seeing how most of Marvel's other superheroes react to him really gives Spider-Man a sense of isolation from them. Partly because of his immaturity and that need to stay closeted less the Jamesons do anything worse.
But then, when his college activities start things change. Peter becomes colder to even the reader. I've heard how Steve Ditko had some influence around this time more than Stan Lee. As far as the mundane part of Peter's life anyway. Ditko's objectivism tract shows up a bit more times there. He's still a great artist with how he moves Spider-Man's acrobatics around in believable poses. But Stan gave Peter more of a soul. Frankly it's not hard to see why Stan and Ditko drifted apart after this.
April 1, 2024
Alright, I will admit it! Despite being a comics collector for most of my life, I never actually read the earliest issues of Spider-Man in sequential order. When I was younger, I did not fully appreciate Steve Ditko's style as I was a child of the Bronze Age (mostly 70's-80's) and the newspaper strip. Thus, I so preferred John Romita Sr.'s style in both settings I ignored some other early artists of Spider-Man and did not give them the credit they deserved. But I was blown away after finally reading the Lee-Ditko complete collection in sequence in this fine format. I think Ditko was an incredible visual storyteller. I get it now. I see why it was a runaway bestseller and changed the industry. Stan wrote ASM to be more than a bit like the Sad Sack of superheroes, if not always in his battles with villains, very much so in his personal and love life. Peter Parker is depicted as a young man who makes many mistakes and poor choices. He struggles with down-to-earth things like sewing a new costume and seeing Aunt May in the hospital. He doesn't know how to talk to the love interests in his life, gets very confused, and maudlin over being a superhero. He struggles to make enough money to make ends meet. He's a bright student but often misses class to battle crazy villains. It's not too hard to see why so many supporting cast find Peter intriguing but stuck-up and flaky. For its time, there was a realism there that was appealing when so many other heroes weren't written in that fashion. This is must-read material for any superhero-reading lover and certainly essential comics history too. Not to mention it's fun. Btw, issue #33 was my favorite among many great issues. I think that was the peak of Lee-Ditko's collaborative efforts on ASM, just as the original Silver Surfer-Galactus saga was the peak of the Lee-Kirby run on FF.
May 18, 2021
A great run on a great character. The O.G. run on Spider-Man from his creators. Stan Lee is at his best. In retrospect you understand that even though the man had done an incredible things, he was not always a great writer. With all the deadlines and amount of work he just couldn't be. But in this first run on Spider-Man you can feel what a good writer he is. No other comic I've read shows the guy's humor and dramatic perception, his understanding of the media and the skills to tell even the toughest stories so lightheartedly that you can get a huge amount of pleasure from it, more than this one. Ditko's part as an artist is undoubtedly great (not to mention that he co-plotted the most of the stories), he really gave Spider-Man the attributes that he is so well-known and an atmosphere to his stories that lasts to this times. There are two minor issues: 1. In the early issues they are still trying to find out what kind of magazine it was and they got the perfect formula that precioussly worked from then on somewhere near the first annual; 2. It's still silver age and while you can't feel it throughout the most of the run, sometimes it just is there and makes the run otherwise so masterfully crafted look a bit silly. But objectively speaking it is really a great run, NOT because of it's importance, but because it really IS. - 9/10
September 25, 2018
(Read on Marvel Unlimited) It is absolutely incredible to go back to the beginning of this character and see how much of what made him iconic is there from the very beginning. A teenager balancing money, love, and crime fighting in New York is established right from the start. Lee gives Spider-Man the witty quips we've come to expect, while Ditko's art is fundamental in showing how these great characters move and interact. So many classic side characters and villains are introduced in this run, and we even get a couple almost sightings of a certain Mary Jane Watson.
The depiction of the females in this book definitely feel like the 60's though, with all the women being suddenly attracted to Peter and Aunt May going in and out of the hospital and not much else. The Silver Age of Comics will always suffer from being at least a little problematic due to the time it was created, but there's actually less of that in these Spider-Man issues than I expected. I will definitely be continuing on with these early issues and see what John Romita offers with the art.
The depiction of the females in this book definitely feel like the 60's though, with all the women being suddenly attracted to Peter and Aunt May going in and out of the hospital and not much else. The Silver Age of Comics will always suffer from being at least a little problematic due to the time it was created, but there's actually less of that in these Spider-Man issues than I expected. I will definitely be continuing on with these early issues and see what John Romita offers with the art.
April 21, 2020
Man, what can be said about these 38 issues (plus a few annuals and other appearances) that hasn’t been said elsewhere? Not much. But what I can say is no matter what, I always eventually come back to them. They’re the source. Of what? Essentially every Marvel comic written since. Sure, a lot of it may be hammy, and very rough and broad by today’s standards, but they’re no less entertaining for it. In fact, I’d argue I learn something new every time I read them. From Stan’s wit to Steve’s simple but surprisingly solid and interesting visuals is a true classic of the medium.
I really can’t give a higher recommendation.
Fun little thing to notice: you can first see an unnamed Norman Osborn show up at Jolly Jonah’s club in issue 23 at the bottom of page 6. It’s kind of amazing how early they set him up.
I really can’t give a higher recommendation.
Fun little thing to notice: you can first see an unnamed Norman Osborn show up at Jolly Jonah’s club in issue 23 at the bottom of page 6. It’s kind of amazing how early they set him up.
August 5, 2021
This book is incredible. Stan Lee & Steve Ditko really did create a masterpiece when they dreamt up Spider-Man back in 1962.
It was an absolute blast to read. Loved seeing all the first appearences of his most famous villains (Sandman, Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Electro, Mysterio & J. Jonah Jameson). As well as the side characters (Aunt May, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane, Harry Ozborn, Liz Allen, Betty Brant). Was so cool, seeing where they came into story and how they evolved over the course of the issues. (Some are just getting started)
The way each issue (except for a few) had mostly a self contained plot of there own at the forefront, but still had sub plots that carried over and weaved their way throughout each issues, was absolutely masterful story telling.
Absolute masterpiece and I can't wait to read vol. 2
It was an absolute blast to read. Loved seeing all the first appearences of his most famous villains (Sandman, Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Electro, Mysterio & J. Jonah Jameson). As well as the side characters (Aunt May, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane, Harry Ozborn, Liz Allen, Betty Brant). Was so cool, seeing where they came into story and how they evolved over the course of the issues. (Some are just getting started)
The way each issue (except for a few) had mostly a self contained plot of there own at the forefront, but still had sub plots that carried over and weaved their way throughout each issues, was absolutely masterful story telling.
Absolute masterpiece and I can't wait to read vol. 2
February 12, 2023
It's honestly impressive that the background and villains Stan Lee and Steve Ditko established in the first handful of issues are still referred to this day as the definitive lore of Spiderman. Peter Parker's background, his relationships with Aunt May, his schoolmates and J Jonah Jameson, his love life, the Sinister Six... everything started here. And while most of the stories are one-shots and don't really provide a great flow in continuity, the character work always builds upwards and results in the "If This Be My Destiny" story arc (#31-33), the first definitive story arc for Spiderman as a character and the fact that the best Spidey stories are the ones where he faces insurmountable odds and still manages to fight for his loved ones through unbreakable will.
November 21, 2017
It's always nice to be able to travel back to the beginning of a long running series. These comics allow you to see what lead to a successful character decades later and shows you the basis of what many of his modern retellings use. Beyond the obvious action and adventure you would expect from a comic series it also captures a time period better than many novels could. This was an era of showmanship that you just don't experience anymore. Some of the stories can be a bit dated but the drama unfolding within is timeless and can be relateable to today's world as well. It is easy to see how an empire grew from these humble beginnings.
October 12, 2020
this is the entirety of the ditko run, and it lays the groundwork for not only spider-man (the juxtaposition of soap opera-esque pathos in the life of an embattled teenager with the swinging action of a wisecracking crimefighter) but pretty much the entire early marvel ethos of mixing real world emotion with high stakes world changing science fiction. ditko's art and plotting is revelatory and while stan lee's dialogue is corny and overly expositional, its a building block toward everything that comes after. the stuff in here is top shelf comics, some of the greatest ever and ditko's place on comic's mt. rushmore is assured.
June 18, 2023
It's definitely an amazing tale. The exploits of Peter Parker were often more interesting than those of Spider-Man, but that's not for lack of quality in either area. I'm glad I was able to go back and read the origins of so many characters, even if some of them weren't really fleshed out. I recently read FF Vol 1, and though I enjoyed both, the story arcs in here were more intriguing, and the world building was far superior. I can see myself reading through this volume again in the not too distant future.
November 25, 2023
The best old comic, I struggled heavily when trying to get through Fantastic Four 1-40 and had to skip a bunch but thats not even close to the case for TASM by Ditko and Lee, here you can learn the origins of all of your favorite villians and you get to see quite possibly sassiest Peter/Spider-Man, not just in how he talks but also in how he thinks. If you are a Spidey fan, I recommend starting here. Read 1-25 as a kid and then read the whole thing as an adult.
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