10 Old Spider-Man Comics Actually Worth Reading

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Superhero comics have evolved since Spider-Man first debuted in Amazing Fantasy #15. Comics rely more on the art to tell the story––meaning less filler and descriptive text. Panels are usually larger, allowing room for the art to breathe. Modern comic fans may find older comics more difficult to read. It’s not a skill thing––older comics were created in a different era, yet they paved the way for what comics are today.

Sure, the dialogue resembles the times––awkward for present-day fans. The coloring was simplistic, restricted by the technology and budgets of the times, but the core of the stories in old Spider-Man comics remains spectacular and inspiring. Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and John Romita Sr. are just a few creators who created Spider-Man’s foundations, making those old, legendary comics worthy of revisiting year after year.

10

The Iconic Origin Of Spider-Man

Spider-Man’s origin: a comic story no Spider-Man fan should be without. Amazing Fantasy #15 contains the very concise Spider-Man origin that is still regarded as one of the best, most inspiring superhero origins of all time.

Published in 1962, Spider-Man quickly became popular with young comic book readers of the times, who could struggle to picture themselves as the godlike Superman or wealthy Batman but found Spider-Man––a high school student with money troubles and dating drama––incredibly relatable. Spider-Man changed both Marvel and superhero comics for decades.

9

Spider-Man Fights For His Life Against The Master Planner

Many consider “If This Be My Destiny!” to be the first substantial Spider-Man comic arc, clocking in at just three issues total. The arc covers an ill Aunt May, Peter’s struggles to secure her medication, and Spider-Man’s battles with the Master Planner and his gang, culminating in the iconic scene where the Wall-Crawler lifts tons of steel above his head.

“If This Be My Destiny!” is one of the best collections of issues from the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era, and remains one of the best Spider-Man arcs of all time, creating the foundations for Spider-Man mythology, from his struggles with balancing social life and super-heroics, to his unwavering determination.

8

Green Goblin Becomes One Of Spider-Man’s Greatest Villains

The Green Goblin had appeared in many Spider-Man issues before but hadn’t quite broken off from the rest of the pack. For a couple of years, Green Goblin was no more popular than Electro or Sandman. Doctor Octopus was still firmly Spider-Man’s greatest villain––at least, until Green Goblin learned Spider-Man’s true identity.

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

7

Peter Parker Abandons Spider-Man

The iconic Amazing Spider-Man cover of Peter abandoning Spider-Man has reappeared as a hundred homages since. The shot of Peter Parker walking away from his discarded Spider-Man costume in a trash can was even replicated perfectly in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 film.

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

6

Spider-Man & Doctor Octopus: Allies

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

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

5

Spider-Man’s Turning Point

This was the issue that aged the Amazing Spider-Man title. Spider-Man comics were never strictly for kids, but the death of Gwen Stacy changed everything. Spider-Man matured alongside his readers, and “The Night Gwen Stacy Died” opened the floodgates, allowing future writers comfort in crafting darker stories that frequently shattered Peter Parker’s world.

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

4

Spider-Man Can Stop The Juggernaut

Modern comic arcs usually stretch at least six issues, but decades ago, arcs could last only an issue or two. Some of the best Spider-Man stories began and ended in less than two issues, and “Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut” is one that readers won’t want to miss.

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

3

The Black-Suited Spider-Man Hunts The Sin-Eater

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

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

2

Kraven Stars In One Of The Darkest Spider-Man Comics

“Kraven’s Last Hunt” is not for readers looking for positive narratives or happy endings. Kraven was always an intense Spider-Man villain, but J.M. DeMatteis crafted a dark, emotionally striking story that elevated Kraven the Hunter and raised him up Spider-Man’s villain tier list.

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

1

Venom Changed Spider-Man’s Universe

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

Venom was Spider-Man’s physical superior––a phantom in the shadow who tormented Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. Venom was terrifying, and his debut comic is still iconic and foundational, bringing the symbiote to new levels of popularity.

“}]] While some of the characters’ modern Marvel storylines are better known, a few of Spider-Man’s classic comics are still worth revisiting today.  Read More