10 Spider-Man Comics That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

For someone who hasn’t read the Amazing Spider-Man comics from the beginning–like most modern readers––the idea of the 700+ issues is daunting and overwhelming. Instead of reading every single issue, most fans pick out the story arcs they like the most. Readers who don’t want to waste their time––who want to read the very best Spider-Man has to offer––should try out these Spider-Man comics that were amazing, start to finish.

The Superior Spider-Man saga was epic and heartbreaking. In “Spider-Island,” the Jackal returned to New York to make even more Spider-Men, just not as clones. Spider-Man: Blue was an emotional retelling of Peter Parker’s life shortly before the death of Gwen Stacy. These Spider-Man titles and more offer incredible art and rich storytelling from the covers to the very last panels.

10 Everyone Is Spider-Man

Many fans consider “Spider-Island” one of the best Spider-Man comic events of all time, and there are plenty of reasons for it. “Spider-Island” features many guest appearances from Marvel heroes and villains––pretty much anyone who lives in Manhattan, from Shang-Chi to Reed Richards.

Mary Jane Watson and J. Jonah Jameson play their roles perfectly, as Jonah reels from his newfound spider powers, and MJ uses her to become a superhero, just like Peter. Packed with incredible art and amazing action scenes from Spider-Man, Kaine, Agent Venom and more, “Spider-Island” is just perfect.

9 Amazing Spider-Man & Miles Morales Collide

Clocking in at just five issues, the Spider-Men miniseries is short but sweet, presenting the first official team-up between Peter Parker (the Amazing Spider-Man) and Miles Morales (the, at the time, inexperienced Ultimate Spider-Man).

Spider-Men serves as a precursor to the Spider-Verse event that was published not too long after and a heartfelt conclusion to Peter Parker’s story in the Ultimate Universe. Aunt May and Gwen Stacy share a heartwarming scene connecting to a Peter from another world, and artist Sara Pichelli captures their emotions perfectly.

8 Before Gwen Stacy’s Death

Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb were the all-star duo of comics for years. They published some of the best Marvel and DC comics in just a decade, such as Batman: The Long Halloween and Daredevil: Yellow. Spider-Man: Blue is in that company and, in many ways, excels beyond their other works.

Spider-Man: Blue is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who first read Spider-Man comics in the 1960s while presenting this era with modern art for newer readers. Peter reminisces about his time with Gwen Stacy before her death, making Blue one of the most emotional Spider-Man comics with a truly melancholic ending.

7 Boomerang Leads The Sinister Six… Sort Of

The Sinister Six (well, five) in the Superior Foes of Spider-Man comic series was almost more interesting to read than Doctor Octopus’s team of Spider-Man’s greatest criminals. Boomerang led the team, which consisted of Beetle, Speed Demon, Overdrive, and the Shocker.

Writer Nick Spencer and artist Steve Lieber injected so much character into every panel. The Superior Foes were often more expressive and richer characters than Spider-Man villains who had appeared since the Silver Age. With quick wit and dynamic sequential storytelling, Superior Foes is a perfect comic from beginning to end, exploring an up-and-coming group of villains with complex personalities that, comedically, do not mesh well.

6 A New Life For Spider-Man

Has anyone ever wanted to read Spider-Man’s complete list of published titles but can’t find the time to catch up on 60 years of comics? Well, the Spider-Man: Life Story miniseries, just six issues, is the perfect abridged version of Spider-Man’s entire life, from the moment the spider bit him in high school to his heroic, self-sacrificing death.

From the Alien Costume sagato the death of Gwen Stacy, the Clone Saga, and even Civil War, Spider-Man: Life Story recreates all the big Marvel comic events in a Marvel universe that does not have a sliding timescale, meaning characters actually age. This retelling offers the perfect, condensed history of Marvel’s greatest character.

5 One Of The Darkest Spider-Man Comics

Fair warning: “Kraven’s Last Hunt” is a dark comic with a shockingly dark ending, but rest assured, it’s all character-driven in one of the most well-written Spider-Man stories of all time. “Kraven’s Last Hunt” may be dark, but it’s also impossible to put down. It grips readers so that Kraven becomes extremely compelling, even while trying to kill Spider-Man and bury him alive.

With some of the most iconic imagery in comics, from Kraven’s final page to Spider-Man rising from his early grave, “Kraven’s Last Hunt” is both a narrative and visual treat that is the perfect comic released in an era where comics were growing more mature with more realistic subjects.

4 Marvel Comics Actually Killed Off Peter Parker

“Dying Wish” had fans on the edge of their seats for four straight issues. As Doctor Octopus successfully swapped bodies with Peter Parker, the real Spider-Man struggled to reclaim his life, all while succumbing to the injuries that were killing Doc Ock’s body. Shockingly, the hero actually loses, and the Superior Spider-Man was born.

Every moment of “Dying Wish” is beautiful. It’s truly a highlight of Dan Slott’s Amazing Spider-Man run. The sinister reveal that Otto Octavius was in Peter’s body, Peter’s desperation in Ock’s falling body, teaming up with the Sinister Six, and Doctor Octopus’s serendipitous realization that with great power, there must also come great responsibility… it’s all perfect.

3 Doctor Octopus, More Than Amazing

More than amazing, Doctor Octopus’s Spider-Man was “superior,” or so he thought. Some fans wouldn’t exactly call the Superior Spider-Man era “perfect.” The stunt was criticized, as many fans immediately called for Peter Parker’s swift return, but Marvel and Dan Slott stuck to the story they wanted to tell. The result was just over 30 issues of a Superior Spider-Man book that was a breath of fresh air for Spider-Man comics.

Fans recoiled at how Otto Octavius turned Peter’s life upside down, ruining his relationship with Mary Jane Watson, creating Parker Industries, and acting as a more brutal Spider-Man. It was all in service of a gripping story that made fans tighten their grips on their comics, cheering for Peter’s triumphant return. Peter’s return––declaring himself the true superior Spider-Man––was indeed well-earned.

2 The Epic Conclusion To Dan Slott’s Amazing Spider-Man

Dan Slott’s Amazing Spider-Man run had its ups and downs. One of the greatest ups came at the very end. “Go Down Swinging” may be one of the best endings to a Spider-Man comic run ever, and Amazing Spider-Man #800 is perhaps one of the most exciting, accurately written Spider-Man issues ever.

So many things happen in #800 that it’s impossible to explain them all so quickly. Green Goblin bonds with Carnage to become Red Goblin, Superior Octopus comes to Aunt May’s rescue, Venom teams up with Spider-Man, and MJ actually encourages Peter to bond with the symbiote one last time. Add on an emotional death for a longtime franchise character, and “Go Down Swinging” becomes a perfect ending.

1 Spider-Man Fan Service Across Marvel’s Multiverse

In 2024, Marvel readers can’t seem to escape the word “Spider-Verse.” There’s the Across the Spider-Verse movie, the Edge of Spider-Verse comics, and the general increase in multiversal adventures at Marvel comics. However, in 2014, the concept of the Spider-Verse in Spider-Man comics was in its infancy.

The original Spider-Verse comic may not be the best Spider-Man event of all time––many would argue for some other entries on this very list––but it’s perfect for what it is: A multiversal adventure and who’s who of Spider-Men throughout Marvel’s storied publication history. Spider-Verse is incredibly fun from start to finish, packed with fan service and guest appearances from fan favorites like Cosmic Spider-Man, Spider-Ham, and Mayday Parker’s Spider-Girl.