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It’s been several years since Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man graced cinemas… but it’s been nearly two decades since the original Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy ended. Fans missing that era of Spider-Man should turn to Marvel Comics to scratch that itch while the fanbase awaits any news of Tobey’s return––possibly even alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Until then, fans can only speculate, but readers can dive into some of the best Spider-Man comics of all time that seem reminiscent of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies in one way or another. From the infamous bridge scene to Doc Ock’s origins and Harry Osborn’s legacy as the Green Goblin, these Spider-Man comics are perfect for fans missing Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man.
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10
The Spider-Man Bridge Scene Seems A Little Familiar
“The Night Gwen Stacy Died” Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 by Gerry Conway, Gil Kane, John Romita Sr., Tony Mortellaro & Dave Hunt
“The Night Gwen Stacy Died” is an iconic Spider-Man comic featuring one of the few permanent deaths in comics. If fans watching Spider-Man (2002) thought the bridge scene looked familiar, rest assured, their eyesight was fine. Instead of Gwen Stacy, who didn’t exist in the Sam Raimi universe yet, Green Goblin kidnapped Mary Jane.
Instead of Gwen’s death, Spider-Man ultimately saved Mary Jane. Fans looking for how the original events really occurred on that bridge should pick up Amazing Spider-Man #121-122, or watch the “Turning Point” episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
9
Spider-Man Vs. Sandman In “The Gauntlet”
“Keemia’s Castle” Amazing Spider-Man #615-616 by Fred Van Lente, Javier Pulido & Javier Rodriguez
In most Spider-Man media, Sandman is usually a low-level thug turned into a superpowered villain. As comics developed, writers developed the characters, injecting more backstory and adding new layers beyond simple motivations like robbery or theft. In Spider-Man 3, Sandman commits crimes to help save his daughter’s life.
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During “The Gauntlet,” Spider-Man faced a version of Sandman in the short story “Keemia’s Castle,” where Sandman similarly fought for a girl he believed to be his daughter. Readers who loved Sandman’s motivations in the film should check out this “Gauntlet” story.
8
A New Dock Ock Origin Story
Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Year One by Zeb Wells, Kaare Andrews & José Villarrubia
As with many superhero films, Spider-Man 2 depicted Doctor Octopus’s origins, though Raimi had to make some alterations to fit the movie’s runtime. Around the same time, Marvel Comics published Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Year One, a miniseries that retconned Doc Ock’s origins for a modern audience.
Fans who love a good revamp and twist on established stories should check out Doc Ock’s Year One comic. It’s far from the best Spider-Man comic starring Doctor Octopus, but it is an interesting time capsule for the type of Spider-Man comics published around Spider-Man 2, featuring the film’s main villain.
7
“What If Flash Thompson Became Spider-Man?”
What If? Spider-Man (Vol. 2) by Gerry Conway, Diego Olortegui, Walden Wong & Chris O’Halloran
Flash Thompson deserved more screen time in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. Granted, the character evolved a lot after his appearance in Spider-Man (2002). Flash acquired the symbiote in the comics, became Agent Venom and even served as a hero. He even became Spider-Man in a What If? comic.
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Flash Thompson played a more important role in the Amazing Spider-Man trilogy and Tom Holland’s Homecoming trilogy, interacting with Peter more frequently. Fans who love the character and want more from him should check out this fun What If? one-shot for the novelty of Flash navigating spider-powers without the lesson of great power and great responsibility.
6
The Mysterious New Green Goblin Lore
Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin by J.M. DeMatteis, Michael Sta. Maria & Chris Sotomayor
Norman Osborn served as the main villain of Spider-Man (2002). Harry Osborn’s Goblin journey occurs over the course of three films, with a villainous role as the New Goblin in Spider-Man 3. Green Goblin is one of the richest villains in Marvel Comics and Spider-Man writers keep adding to his lore.
Sam Raimi’s trilogy only scratched the service of one of the best Spider-Man villains. Readers have decades of Green Goblin comics to pull from, but Marvel has recently published the Shadow of the Green Goblin miniseries. It once again recontextualizes Green Goblin’s history, serving as a great read for viewers who want more from the live-action Green Goblin.
5
The Untold Adventures Of The Black Suit Spider-Man
Symbiote Spider-Man by Peter David, Greg Land, Iban Coello, Jay Leisten & Frank D’Armata
One of the best parts about Spider-Man 3 was the black suit. The filmmakers beautifully adapted the black suit and made a new version many fans craved when Insomniac released their Spider-Man video games. However, Peter’s adventure in the symbiote was short-lived in Spider-Man 3.
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Symbiote Spider-Man is a five-issue miniseries that takes readers back to a time when Peter Parker wore the symbiote, unaware of the sinister nature of the alien. Fans who felt like they didn’t get enough symbiote time in Spider-Man 3 should check out Symbiote Spider-Man for one of the best black suit Spider-Man comics in years.
4
Norman Osborn Returns As The Green Goblin
“Revenge of the Green Goblin” by Paul Jenkins, Howard Mackie, Roger Stern, Jeph York, Charlie Adlard, Joe Bennett, Mark Buckingham, John Byrne, Ron Frenz, John Romita Jr. & Lee Weeks
In the first Spider-Man movie, Green Goblin was a fairly shallow villain. Despite Willam Dafoe’s stellar performance, Norman Osborn lacked some villainous motivation. He avenged his former associates but then seemed to want to rule New York with Spider-Man.
Revenge of the Green Goblin was published shortly after Norman Osborn returned to Spider-Man comics after decades of absence. The miniseries delved into Norman’s comic book motivations and plans, serving as a much better Green Goblin story than the ones fans received in Spider-Man (2002).
3
Harry Osborn & The Green Goblin Legacy
Spider-Man: Legacy of Evil by Kurt Busiek & Mark Texeira
Harry Osborn takes up his father’s mantle in Spider-Man 3, though many fans were disappointed in the destination of that character arc. Harry was sidelined in favor of a movie that balanced too many things at once, from Sandman to Venom and the symbiote saga. Fans looking for a well-written payoff to Harry’s journey as the Green Goblin should read the Legacy of Evil miniseries.
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With stellar art and tremendous writing, Legacy of Evil is an amazing conclusion to the Green Goblin legacy. An AI system, with both Norman and Harry’s brain copies merged, attempts to transform Normie Osborn into the next Green Goblin, presenting an intimate story that sticks the landing.
2
“Venom Strikes Back”
Amazing Spider-Man #315-317 by David Michelinie, Todd McFarlane & Bob Sharen
If only Venom had a bit more screen time… or his own film entirely. Spider-Man 3 juggled too much, and everything suffered for it. The film was nearly over before Venom appeared. However, Venom was an intimidating force. The sound design for Venom’s agonizing and aggressive screams was incredible, and the suit design was pretty cool.
Fans wanted more, though. Luckily, Venom’s creators, David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane, created “Venom Strikes Back,” a sequel to Amazing Spider-Man #300 that includes an epic showdown between Spider-Man and Venom, worthy of the iconic villain.
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Not All Spider-Man Stories Have Happy Endings
Spider-Man: Blue by Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale & Steve Buccellato
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy did not end on a particularly cheerful note. Harry Osborn died protecting Peter from Venom’s attack, Spider-Man tearfully forgave Sandman for the death of Uncle Ben, and Peter and MJ seemingly attempted to patch things up.
Not only is this indicative of events in real life––that not everything ends happily––but it’s on par with many of the best Spider-Man comics, such as Spider-Man: Blue. Fans who love a good, melancholic ending will love the framing of Spider-Man: Blue. Peter Parker records audio tapes while reminiscing about Gwen Stacy before she died. It’s somber but gripping and mature.
The Amazing Spider-Man
Spinning out of Amazing Fantasy #15, Marvel’s Spider-Man gained his own series with 1963’s The Amazing Spider-Man! For decades, fans have anxiously awaited for the next issue of the Web-Slinger premier series to read up on the latest adventures of their favorite superhero!
“}]] Director Sam Raimi was the first to bring Spider-Man to the big screen, and it might help fans who miss the trilogy to dive into these related comics. Read More