Well, I read that Spiderman story around three times in my life and I didn't know, that there also were 3 other stories from Stan and Steve... Non-superheroic stories.

To be honest, this Spider-Man origin feels very rushed (only 12 pages), especially if you read Ultimate Spider-Man or saw movies about this hero. But the core elements of the story are excellent. It was really great, especially if you compare it to the other 3 stories. I think, I can rate it 9.0. Not a flawless story, but still awesome.

The second one is about an old bell-ringer. A volcano erupted and when all people of the island were fleeing away, that old guy stayed and was... abducted by the aliens? Or the God? Or was it just the interpretation of death? I don't know, it seems very rushy and poorly developed. Yeah, I saw the last day of pompeii reference, but I still don't know... I can rate it only 6.5.

Next one was even more weird... The guy was running from the policeman and hid in the museum. And then THE MUMMY just started talking with him. Okay, it is Marvel, it's okay. But then mummy hid him inside of its case and the guy just disappeared. And you know where? In the Egypt! And the Egyptians made a slave of him... Okay, 7.5, this one is at least hilarious and not only stupid.

And the last story was about martians. I don't know, it is a very short, but still boring story. However, the ending was... unexpected. It really even can amaze someone... Firstly I thought that it was a drawer's mistake or maybe some "expression" thing that is common in the comics. But no. And I don't want to spoil it. 7.0

Okay, to conclude, Steve Ditko is a legend. I can't say something wrong here about his art. It was great in all stories. But Stan... Okay, I can forgive that for the creation of one of my favourite superheroes of all time. (9 + 6.5 + 7.5 + 7.0) / 4 = 7.5. But I will rate it 8.0 + 0.5 for the iconicness. more

I can't help but be reminded by the cover how we were robbed of a world where Jack Kirby drew Spider-Man. I'm going to take a more personal route with this than really judging it on it's composition.

This intro has always really resonated with me despite its advanced age and dated scripting. Not to harp on that aspect too much as while I'm not the biggest fan of Lee's work and find him a master of throwing out word garbage and hoping it works, he makes clear choices here to showcase how Peter is viewed by his peers and elders. Peter's relationship with his aunt and uncle have always directly reminded me of my grandparents. With a fairly absent father in my youth and no mother, I was raised almost entirely by my grandparents and the way Lee described their relationship and sense of humor is almost an exact parallel. I wrestled with my grandfather almost every day after school and my grandmother was the best cook and while I never had wheatcakes, I was a fiend for pancakes. Not that any of this is exclusive to my situation but it's in these scenes that Lee and Ditko really cement Peter in believability and relatability. Traits that have carried with him and shaped the way that people look at 'costume heroes'.

As a way to bolster how real Peter felt in his relationships with those around him, he's also depicted with very real feeling. Retribution, regret, anger, rage, loneliness, and resolve. Attributes and emotions that weren't as effectively conveyed at the time. These especially have stood the test of time as they are what have made Peter Parker and Spider-Man an icon. Someone who feels what we all do but knows that he was given gifts that he could use for himself yet has the lessons and tragedies instilled in him to use those gifts to change the world for the better. more

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Criminology. - Jun 6, 2023

Very nice review, man! There is really some magic in those early spidey issues, especially regarding his feeling towards his aunt and uncle. I loved how in those early issues it's even hard to call Pete a hero unless it wasn't something to aunt may and money, which again was the goal because of aunt may, but over time, he starts to act more selflessly. Again just shows how much Stan got in the head of his character.

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Nice, well-rounded and kinda dated origin story.

(Cover date: August, 1962)

I've only read the Spider-Man story in Amazing Fantasy #15, of course. What is there to say? It's a quintessential superhero origin, that almost everyone on the planet knows a version of, through the many movies, cartoons and comics that have gone over it again and again. It's very quick and while there's a sense of reverence in the editorial notes, I really am not sure that Stan Lee had any idea what he and Steve Ditko had created here. I also would like to point out just how angry Peter is in this story. I understand he hasn't yet gone through the trauma that would soon define him, but reading modern comics, I'm just so used to a grown up version of Peter that is genuinely nice and upstanding and not a resentful teen. Another thing I wonder; I've never considered this before; does Baxter Bigelow (the security guard Peter doesn't help) ever come out of the woodwork in a later story just to ruin Spider-Man's reputation a little more? I don't think he ever did. I mean, it's certainly not necessary in the early years, but that would be a cool story, wouldn't it? Anyway, there's not much here to really talk about besides the aforementioned.

Quote of the issue: "With Great Power There Must Also Come-- Great Responsibility!" more

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Ultimate Goblin - Oct 5, 2021

I recommend you to read other stories too. Lee/Ditko duet is worth of your time.

Psycamorean - Oct 5, 2021

I've read them before. I was only reading this story from this issue for my re-read of Spider-Man, which has been hilariously slow.

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