The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man
By Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

Steve Ditko and Stan Lee’s creation of Spider-Man not only turned the superhero industry on its head with a relatable teenage hero with real problems, they also built a huge amount of compelling villains and good friends, rivals, and annoyances for Peter Parker to deal with. Spider-Man was often outclassed by his foes, leading to some dramatic battles. Under the superhero action framework, they told one of comics’ best soap operas. With his affections split between numerous women, would Peter ever be able to devote himself to any girl when he secretly leads a dangerous and demanding life?

Ditko’s amazing art set the look and tone for a host of classic Spider-Man friends and foes, including J. Jonah Jameson, Flash Thompson, Aunt May, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, Norman and Harry Osborn, Dr. Octopus, The Green Goblin, The Lizard, Kraven the Hunter, The Vulture, The Scorpion, The Chameleon and more! Ditko was only on the series for 38 issues, but was soon plotting most of them as well, with Lee handling the dialogue. John Romita Sr. replaced him as the next classic Spidey artist but the Lee/Ditko run still stands supreme. These issues are collected in the first four volumes of The Amazing Spider-Man Marvel Masterworks.