10 Spider-Man Comics That Are Peak Spider-Man

Throughout the hero’s long publishing history, Spider-Man has thrilled readers through tales of relatability, escapement, and heartbreak. For every story boasting high-octane fight scenes and dizzying action set pieces, there is another dissecting loss and longing, resulting in many stories that broach every tone and genre available in fiction.

With such a long and rich publication history, Spider-Man has his fair share of awesome stories, but some stand above the rest for truly capturing the essence of Marvel’s premier web-slinger. From pathos-inducing tragedies to vertiginous highs, the wall-crawler has experienced it all and whisked fans along with him for the ride.

10 “How Green Was My Goblin”/”Spidey Saves The Day”is an Iconic Two-Parter

Stan Lee and Steve Ditko never had a grand plan for who was behind the Green Goblin’s mask, but their eventual decision to make him the crazed industrialist Norman Osborn was a stroke of genius. At the time, Peter Parker was gradually growing closer to Harry Osborn at Empire State University. Lee and Ditko’s plot twist created a personal connection defining both the Goblin and Spider-Man.

More importantly, this arc saw Spidey unmasked by one of his enemies for the first time, creating higher stakes than ever as the wall-crawler’s worst fear drew into focus. Not only does the web-slinger’s supporting cast shine in this two-partner, but it also created an iconic dynamic between the Green Goblin and Spider-Man that would shape their tales for decades.

9 “No One Dies”is a Fabulous Meditation on Death and Heroism

Many of Spider-Man’s greatest tales are defined by death, and “No One Dies”is no exception. In this two-parter, Peter Parker struggles to come to terms with Marla Jameson’s demise, the silent panels in which he attends her funeral poignantly setting the somber tone. Following this, Spider-Man is haunted by night terrors of everyone that he’s ever failed to save.

Through a collection of well-thought-out and moving cameos, the reader witnesses Spider-Man’s world fall apart as he confronts all the pain and hurt he’s wrought, creating an instant and lingering sense of pathos towards the hero. Out of the pain, however, comes a solemn vow from Peter: on his watch, from this moment onward, no one will die. While an impossible standard to hold himself to, the promise came to define Dan Slott’s run on The Amazing Spider-Man, adding new and complex layers to the web-slinger.

8 “If This Be My Destiny…!”is Spider-Man at His Most Iconic

“If This Be My Destiny…!”is an early tale memorable for setting the template for all that was to come. Not only did it introduce Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy, but everything that fans have come to expect from Spider-Man can be found in this three-issue arc. Peter’s love life with Betty Brant is in turmoil, Aunt May lies at death’s door, and Spider-Man faced seemingly insurmountable odds against one of his greatest villains.

Steve Ditko’s work is this arc’s ultimate trump card. “If This Be My Destiny…!”is best remembered for its splash page depicting Spider-Man breaking free from the debris he finds himself trapped under, a moment lovingly recreated in the MCU’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. Lee and Ditko’s pacing as the wall-crawler breaks free from the physical and metaphorical weight he finds himself trapped under is sublime, perfectly capturing the essence of what makes Spider-Man such an inspirational hero.

7 “Best of Enemies”is an Elegiac and Bittersweet Tale

The perfect send-off for Harry Osborn (although this was unfortunately later retconned), “Best of Enemies”is an emotional issue imbued with a dreaded sense of inevitability and finality. The story begins with Harry hurtling towards a climactic confrontation with Spider-Man while wrestling to no avail with his inner demons, creating an engaging sympathy for the villain. This sense of pathos swells as the issue marches onward, leading to an emotional crescendo that haunted Spider-Man for decades.

J.M. DeMatteis presents the bad blood between the Green Goblin and Spider-Man as painfully toxic, and this is juxtaposed against how close Spider-Man’s friendship group were during Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.’s run, creating a distinct sense of melancholy and loss. “Best of Enemies” greatest success lies in its masterful character portrait of one of Spidey’s greatest enemies: Harry is presented simultaneously as Spider-Man’s most lethal threat and a damaged young man futilely striving to live up to his father’s expectations.

6 Spider-Man: No MoreSees the Hero Wrestle With Self-Doubt

An early tale emphasizing Spider-Man’s fallibility and relatability, Spider-Man: No More not only introduced the Kingpin but also set the template for every story in which Spider-Man doubts himself. In this issue, the weight of negative public opinion and Spider-Man’s toll on Peter Parker’s personal life grows too great, leading to John Romita Sr.’s now-iconic splash page of the hero discarding his costume in a garbage can, a moment that Sam Raimi lovingly rendered in Spider-Man 2.

However, after rescuing a security guard who reminds him of Uncle Ben, Spider-Man’s resolve is restored as he remembers all the reasons he initially turned to heroism. From a modern standpoint, this issue can appear stale as it is a theme routinely broached throughout Spidey’s existence. Still, this first example remains the simplest, most graceful, and iconic instance of the web-slinger’s signature self-doubt within the rich Spider-Man canon.

5 Kraven’s Last Huntis Dark, Powerful, and Haunting

Rightly remembered as arguably the greatest Spider-Man story of all time, Kraven’s Last Hunt sees the titular villain succeed in his ultimate, self-imposed challenge. In this arc, Kraven “kills” Spider-Man, replaces him as a lethal defender of New York, and awakes the hero only to demonstrate how thoroughly he has been bested. This tale broaches complex, nuanced themes and indubitably belongs to Kraven himself, but Spider-Man still shines.

When Spidey goes missing due to Kraven’s nefarious plot, the reader witnesses the first true test of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson’s marriage, leading to moving character moments upon his inevitable return. Furthermore, his decision to leave Mary Jane alone to capture the tragic Vermin demonstrates not just the toll that Spider-Man wreaks upon Peter’s personal life but also his steadfast and inspirational dedication to the city he protects.

4 The Death of Jean DeWolffis a Grim and Memorable Murder Mystery

The Death of Jean DeWolff is memorable for packing an astronomical amount of punch into a mere four issues. In this arc, the titular Jean DeWolff—a stalwart ally of Spider-Man on the police force—is found dead, paving the way for a larger, more complex murder mystery to unfold. This dour opening paves the way for a brooding tale that pushes Spider-Man to his physical and emotional limits.

Coming at the time of The Saga of the Alien Costume, an uncharacteristic realism permeates this story, from the psychopathic villain Sin-Eater to Spidey’s wrestling with the staunchness of his morals and conscience. Notably, given the wall-crawler’s violent and remorseless behavior in this tale—his hand had to be stayed through force by Daredevil—The Death of Jean DeWolff intimated for the first time that there may be more to the web-slinger’s alien symbiote than meets the eye.

3 “The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man”is Spidey at His Most Tragic

“The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man”is an offbeat tale in that there isn’t a villain or any superheroic feats in sight; rather, Roger Stern delivers a gut-punch of a story that lingers in the reader’s mind long beyond the final page. This short backup narrative sees Spider-Man visit his number one fan, a young boy who collects any piece of the hero’s memorabilia that he can get his hands on.

Spidey chooses to reveal his secret identity to his young admirer—a great shock until the audience learns that the boy is dying from terminal leukemia. In the tale’s poignant final panel, the reader sees Peter Parker holding his head in woe; it’s a deeply moving story dissecting the web-slinger’s desire to do good even in the face of a “villain” that, even with his awesome power set, he is impotent to stop: mortality.

2 Spider-Man: Blueis a Touching Meditation on Loss and Longing

As with every title in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s “Colors” series, Spider-Man: Blue looks back upon the formative years of a Marvel hero—in this case, Spider-Man—retelling the story of how Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy initially fell in love. While the framing device of Peter addressing Gwen through an old dictaphone in the present day could have come across as gimmicky in the hands of a lesser writer, Loeb ensures his tale is honest, heartfelt, and deeply poignant.

An expertly crafted meditation on love, loss, and longing, Spider-Man: Blue perfectly reframes key moments from Spider-Man’s history through the lens of his love for Gwen. The bittersweet ending touchingly reaffirms Peter’s then extant marriage to Mary Jane, with the latter demonstrating a moving understanding towards her husband. What makes Spider-Man: Blue so special is that it lets Spider-Man’s supporting cast shine, demonstrating how all those in his life helped shape him into the hero he became.

1 “The Night Gwen Stacy Died”is Spider-Man’s Ultimate Story

While Uncle Ben’s death inadvertently created Spider-Man, Gwen Stacy’s demise shaped him into the hero that has won many readers’ hearts over the decades. So shocking that it’s heralded as the ending of the Silver Age of Comic Books, Gwen’s untimely death shook Peter Parker to his core, becoming the most iconic moment in Spider-Man lore.

The immediate impact of this event potently unfolds for readers: Spider-Man is overcome with rage in a manner hitherto unseen, demonstrating the relatability and fallibility that has made the hero so engaging since his inception in 1962. Most importantly, his final clash with the Green Goblin—a moment paid tribute to in Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man—sees the hero learn an invaluable lesson. Ultimately, he realizes that he has no right to be judge, jury, and executioner; though devastated by the death of his first true love, Peter comprehends that revenge has no place in Spider-Man’s heart, a mantra that continues to ring true into the modern age.