Spider-Man is undeniably Marvel's most iconic hero, with the character's sixty-year publication history containing some of the most famous and infamous comic book storylines since his inception. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's iconic creation has resonated with readers around the world for decades, and as a result, Spider-Man titles have featured countless memorable, and at times controversial, narrative arcs. As a character.
Numerous creative teams have crafted stories designed to shift the status quo for the webslinger, to put their own stamp on the character; Spider-Man has found himself exploring space, traveling the multiverse, fighting with demons. Peter Parker's life has been turned upside down as part of innumerable plots. There are many defining moments throughout Spider-Man's history. Here are the 15 biggest that have shaped the Web-Head throughout the years.
1 Amazing Fantasy #15 - 1962
The very beginning of the Friendly Neighborhood hero. Amazing Fantasy #15 hit comic stands in August 1962, introducing the world to Spider-Man with Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's two-part origin story. It was a tale that has become so well-known today that many know it by heart, even if they've never read the original 60s comic. It has become one of Marvel's most iconic origin stories, largely because of how it connected with readers, with the highly relatable Peter Parker as its protagonist. Amazing Fantasy #15 was an immense success upon its release; had it not been, it's possible there would be no Spider-Man today.
2 Uncle Ben's Death - 1962
The death of Uncle Ben is regarded as one of the most important moments in Spider-Man's life. Peter Parker's kind-hearted uncle was tragically killed in the same debut issue, Amazing Fantasy #15, providing the turning point needed that helped shape Parker into the hero he became. Before Ben's death, Peter had been using his Spider-Man persona to look out for himself, showboating with his abilities. However, Uncle Ben's murder by a mugger, one Peter could have intervened to stop, made him realize that, "With great power there must also come – great responsibility!" Uncle Ben's death was crucial to teach Peter this lesson.
3 Spider-Man No More - 1967
"Spider-Man No More" was a three-issue long storyline which saw Peter Parker seemingly hang up the costume for good. What makes this storyline by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. so crucial to the character is how it showcases Spider-Man's importance to New York City. Without him, the criminals of New York, including Kingpin in his Marvel Comics debut, began to grow more brazen in their activities. This arc also taught Peter another crucial lesson, one that a became part of his character: being a hero isn't about recognition. There will always be people who didn't appreciate Spider-Man, but helping the people of New York without reward is part of his great responsibility.
4 The Death of Gwen Stacy - 1973
The tragic death of Gwen Stacy during Spider-Man's fight with the Green Goblin in The Amazing Spider-Man #121 – by Gerry Conway and Gil Kane – was a monumental shock to readers. Having been thrown off a bridge by the Goblin, Gwen's neck snapped during Spider-Man's attempt to save her. This sent Spidey into a vengeful fury, as he promised to kill the Goblin for what he did. If Uncle Ben's death taught Spider-Man that his powers should be used responsibly to prevent tragedy, Gwen Stacy's death proved that sometimes his abilities have limits. He can't save everyone, a heartbreaking lesson that he ultimately had to learn.
5 Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man - 1976
Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 was a milestone for Marvel Comics, as it was the first time a Marvel hero received a second ongoing series, running alongside their flagship title. Spectacular Spider-Man – by the creative team of Gerry Conway, Sal Buscema and Mike Esposito – launched December 1967, and featured Peter Parker facing off against the supervillain known as the Tarantula. The addition of a second book unequivocally crowned Spider-Man as Marvel's biggest hero, highlighting not only the character's massive popularity at the time, but also his enduring appeal as a pop culture figure, which has continued in the decades since.
6 Secret Wars #8 - 1984
This eighth issue of the Secret Wars storyline – by Jim Shooter, Mike Zeck and Bob Layton – was significant for Spidey because of its introduction of the symbiotic life form that would go on, several years later, to become the villain Venom. Inadvertently discovered on Battleworld as part of the crossover, the symbiote formed itself into a new, black suit for Spider-Man, which the character would continue to wear for some time throughout the 1980s. Secret Wars #8 opened the doors for a whole new branch of Spider-Man lore. Today, there are countless symbiote characters, including Venom and Carnage, exploring the vast Symbiote universe in their own books.
7 The Bell Tower - 1985
The end of the Alien Suit Saga saw Spider-Man at his best, proving what elevates him above other heroes. Web of Spider-Man #1 – by Louise Simonson and Greg LaRocque – features Peter struggling to remove the symbiote after recognizing its negative influence on him. In a last ditch effort, he throws himself into a bell tower, knowing the symbiote's reaction to loud sounds. Peter says he'd "rather die" than be the symbiote's puppet. It is an act as valiant as it is desperate; Spider-Man doesn't want to be used by the symbiote to do harm. Beyond that – this moment leads directly to the creation of Venom.
8 Kraven's Last Hunt - 1987
Often considered one of the best, and darkest, Spider-Man stories, Kraven's Last Hunt – by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck – was told across various Spider-Man titles, as Kraven the Hunter set out to prove himself better than the Web-Head. This tale features some of the most grotesque imagery in Spider-Man's history with Kraven supposedly killing the webslinger and burying him. The arc also featured Spider-Man digging out of his own grave and Kraven's graphic dying by suicide. It's a haunting story, still remembered today as one of the best Spider-Man arcs for pushing both its hero and one of its longstanding villains in unexpected directions.
9 Spidey (Finally) Joins the Avengers - 1991
Given Spider-Man's popularity, it would seem obvious that he'd join the Avengers, Marvel's premiere super-team, know as "Earth's Mightiest Heroes." In fact, Spider-Man didn't become an Avenger until nearly thirty years after his debut. There were times when his membership was teased; he was first offered the opportunity to join in 1966's The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3 – by Stan Lee, John Romita and Don Heck. However, it wasn't until 1991's Avengers #329 – by Larry Hama and Paul Ryan – that Spider-Man finally became an Avenger. It was a long time coming, like many characters who joined the team in the 90s, he has frequently fought alongside the Avengers since.
10 The (Second) Clone Saga - 1994-1996
The Clone Saga began in the 1970s, when Gerry Conway and Ross Andru wrote a story pitting Peter Parker against a clone of himself. The infamous sequel from the 1990s – crafted by a staggering team of writers and artists, including Terry Kavanaugh, J.M. DeMatteis and many more – featured clone's return under the name Ben Reilly. The two discover that Peter was seemingly the true clone, leading to Ben Reilly becoming Spider-Man. Eventually, it was revealed that a resurrected Green Goblin had manipulated events. The nearly two-year saga became confusing for readers as it ran its course, but subsequently, it has been hailed as a defining of Spider-Man's history.
11 Civil War - 2006
Civil War – by Mark Millar and Steve McMillan – was a significant turning point for most Marvel heroes, Spider-Man's role in the story was a major shock for the character. In Civil War #2, Peter Parker made a bold choice. Taking Iron Man's side in the conflict in support of the Superhero Registration Act, Peter unmasked himself in front of a crowd and revealed his identity to the world. Not only did this stun the Marvel Universe, it surprised readers as well. Spider-Man's secret identity was key to his character up to this point. Unmasking himself proved to be a monumental change for Spider-Man, one that had many repercussions across his titles.
12 One More Day - 2007
One More Day is one of the most gamechanging, and controversial, storylines in the history of the character. J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada's Amazing Spider-Man #544 depicted Aunt May near death, having been shot by one of Kingpin's men. The demon Mephisto agrees to save her life in exchange for wiping Peter's marriage to Mary Jane from continuity...a deal the two agreed to. The decision to undo years of a wonderful, stable comic book relationship outraged many readers, with many considering it one of his worst stories to date. To this day, Peter and Mary Jane still remain separated, with the current Amazing Spider-Man run having her married to someone else.
13 Miles Morales' Debut - 2011
Marvel began to explore the concept of other Spider-People, with 2011 seeing the debut of a character that would become as recognizable as Peter Parker himself. Miles Morales debuted in Ultimate Fallout #4 – by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli – following the death of the Ultimate Universe's Peter Parker. Carrying on Peter's legacy as the newest Spider-Man, the character initially received mixed reception. However, over time, Miles has gained popularity, hitting a peak in 2018 with his appearances in the Spider-Man PlayStation game and Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Miles has become one of the most beloved faces in the Spider-Verse, with readers' appetites for his character showing no sign of slowing down.
14 The Superior Spider-Man - 2013-2014
Earth 616 also saw the death of its Peter Parker and replacement as Spider-Man by an unexpected character: Doctor Octopus. The Superior Spider-Man – by Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman – began in 2013, lasting thirty-three issues. The storyline saw Doc Ock transfer his consciousness into Peter Parker's body, seeking to prove he could be the "superior" Spider-Man, handling the job better than Peter ever could. Otto Octavius' struggles as Spider-Man made for compelling storytelling, as his Freaky Friday situation led to a new understanding of his adversary's life. The storyline proved to be a major hit, and a new series called Superior Spider-Man Returns is set to revisit the character starting in October 2023.
15 Spider-Verse - 2014
The history of the Spider-Verse is a long. There have been countless variants of Spider-Man throughout the years, with Miles Morales being introduced in 2011, and long before that, Spider-Man 2099 making his first appearance in 1992. The Spider-Verse got its first major storyline in Dan Slott, Olivier Coipel and Giuseppe Camuncoli's 2014 event series Spider-Verse. This comic series explored the Web of Life and Destiny that connects every Spider variant's world. This was a massive event spanned multiple comics and introduced new Spider-heroes, like the ever popular Spider-Gwen, proving that in the years since the character's debut, Spider-Man has grown even to surpass Peter Parker himself.