Spider-Man was designed by the writer-editor, Stan Lee, along with Steve Ditko, Lee’s co-plotter. Together, the pair has produced thirty-eight comic issues from March 1963, up to July 1966. However, after the 38th issue, Ditko quit, while Lee remained the author until the 100th issue. By then, several other writers and artists have taken over the monthly comic issues of Marvel’s most famous hero’s adventures.For the first 50 years of publication, The Amazing Spider-Man comic series has been Spider-Man’s signature series, aside from his monthly series, ‘Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man,’ in 1976. While most of the major plot and events in the character history had happened in The Amazing Spider Man’s series, the title only lasted until issue #441 in November 1998. Besides Spider-Man’s known series, Parker teamed up with other Marvel characters in various comic issues in 1972.
In January 1999, Marvel started the first issue of The Amazing Spider-Man, Volume 2. Subsequently, the first twenty-nine issue of the comic’s new volume was written by Howard Mackie. In volume two of The Amazing Spiderman series, they have added additional elements such as the introduction of Spider-Woman, which later on had her own short-lived comic series.Byrne had penciled issues #1 to #8 during these series and wrote issue #13 to #14 from 1999 to 2000. However, in October 2000, John Romita Jr. took over Bryne’s place, while Mackie ended his run on The Amazing Spider-Man Annual 2001.
In 2001, during the comic issue #30 of the same series, J. Michael Straczynski became the new writer and took on additional stories. One of his notable works was the lengthy “Spider-Totem.” This had posed the question whether the powers of Spider-Man were magic-based or caused by a radioactive spider’s bite. Moreover, Straczynski revived the plot wherein Aunt Mary discovered that Parker is the Spider-Man. In comic issue #50, Straczynski also resurrected the plot where Mary Jane reunited with Parker, who started his new job as a professor at his former high school.
Marvel then made The Amazing Spider-Man as the only title for the company’s hero, Spider-Man. Increasing its publication frequency to three issues per month, they also opened the series with “back to basic” sequence of story arcs under the title “Brand New Day.” During this series, Parker now live in the world where he and Mary Jane had never dated, nor had the memory of them being married. In 2014, Marvel relaunched The Amazing Spider-Man, starting from issue #1. The first issue of this new version was deemed as the ‘best-selling’ comic book of the decade.In issue #4 of the series, the writers introduced Silk, a woman who was bitten by a spider just like what happened to Peter Parker. Subsequently, in series #7 and #8, Spidey and Captain Marvel teamed up.
Moreover, in issue #9, the major plot, titled “Spider-Verse,” began and ended up in issue #15. In this arc, it features every Spider-Man in every dimension. However, the new series of the Amazing Spider-Man Annual issue #1 of the relaunched series featured other stories that were not related to the ‘Spider-Verse.’
Spider-Man Origin
Peter Parker, a high school student, and prodigy immersed himself in his passion for science in order to escape his classmates’ taunts and threats. However, he stumbled into something beyond his imagination. While Parker was visiting a public exhibition of radiation manipulation and genetics, he was bitten by a spider. Unbeknownst to Parker, the spider has been exposed to a particle beam used for genetic manipulation. Soon, this became the reason why the superhero called Spider-Man was born.
On his way home, Parker unconsciously evaded a motor vehicle by making an amazing jump to the wall of a neighboring building. When he realized somehow that he had developed the skills of a spider, he started to test his new-found powers. Covertly, he continued to test his powers by joining in a local wrestling competition, where he was deemed champion.Being wary of exposing Aunt Mary and Uncle Ben to the public, Peter made himself a costume and adopted the name “Spider-Man.” Subsequently, Parker, as Spider-Man, became an instant TV personality. He began to grow cold and care nothing but his media career. However, due to his selfishness, everything has changed. Parker allowed a burglar to escape police arrest, which caused Uncle Ben’s death in the hands of the same culprit. Since then, he vowed to never again use his power for his own benefit. As Spider-Man, he tracked his uncle’s murderer and brought him to justice.
Superpowers and Abilities
The strength and agility of Spider-Man are far higher than the average human. In the comic series, Parker can lift almost ten tons and is able to safely and accurately move at incredible speed. In addition to these powers, he can also recover faster and more easily than a normal human. However, despite his healing factor, Spider-Man is not completely immune to viruses and other human conditions. He had also developed the spider-sense, which helps him to become aware of the imminent danger. His spider-sense also allows him to calculate the danger’s threat, not only his own level of threat but also in general.
Spider-Man in Films
Spider Man (1977)
Spider-Man is an American television superhero film made in 1977 with an international theatrical release that serves as the pilot for the Amazing Spider-Man television series in 1978. It was directed by E. W. Swackhamer and written by Alvin Boretz. The film stars Nicholas Hammond as Spider-Man, along with David White, Michael Pataki, Jeff Donnell, and Thayer David.
Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978)
Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) was directed by Ron Satlof and written by Robert Janes. The film stars Nicholas Hammond, Robert Simon, Robert Alda, Joanna Cameron, and Michael Pataki. Spider-Man Strikes Back was the sequel of Spider-Man (1977), followed by Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge in 1981.
Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (1981)
Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge is an American, two-parter live-action superhero film that was finished and released in 1981. It was the last among the trilogy of Spider Man’s films released in 1977 and 1978. This third Spider-Man film was directed by Ron Satlof and written by Lionel E. Siegel. It stars the previous characters in the 1977 and 1978 casts, namely Nicholas Hammond as Spider-Man, along with Rosalind Chao, Robert F. Simon, Benson Fong, and Ellen Bry.
Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man is a superhero movie released in 2002 starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, along with Willem Dafoe, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, and Rosemary Harris. It was directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Koepp. Spider-Man was the first among the Spider Man’s trilogy released in the subsequent years of 2004 and 2007.
The film follows the story of an outcast teenage genius, Peter Parker, who, after being bitten by a genetically altered spider, developed spider-like superhuman abilities.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Directed by Sam Raimi and written by Alvin Sargent, Spider-Man 2 is the sequel of Spider-Man released in 2002. The film stars Tobey Maguire together with Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, and Donna Murphy. The film follows the struggling Peter Parker regarding how he will manage his personal life along with his duties as Spider-Man. Meanwhile, a new enemy named Dr. Otto Octavius had sprung. Spider-Man must deal with his personal issues while stopping the enemy and protecting the world.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Spider-Man 3, released in 2007, is the final installment among the trilogy of Raimi’s Spider-Man films. The film stars Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, along with Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, and Topher Grace. In this film, Peter Parker struggles to fight enemies as he prepares his future together with his love interest, Mary Jane Watson.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
The Amazing Spider-Man is a 2012 superhero film based on the character of the same name published under Marvel Comics. It was produced Columbia Pictures together with Marvel Entertainment as a reboot of the Spider-Man Trilogy directed by Raimi in 2002-2007. This first among the two films of Spider Man’s reboot was directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt, Steve Kloves, and Alvin Sargent. It stars Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, along with Emma Stone, Denis Leary, Rhys Ifans, Irrfan Khan, Campbell Scott, Sally Field, and Martin Sheen.
In this film, Peter Parker was bitten by a spider that was genetically mutated. As he gains spider-like powers, he now had the responsibility to save the city from a mysterious reptilian enemy.
Spider-Man 2 (2014); or The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro
Spider-Man 2, directed by Marc Webb, was the sequel of Spider-Man released in 2012. It was produced by Columbia Pictures together with Marvel Entertainment. The film stars pretty much the previous casts namely, Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, with Emma Stone, Dane DeHaan, Jamie Foxx, Campbell Scott, Colm Feore, Embeth Davidtz, Paul Giamatti, and Sally Field. In this film, New York City has been under siege. With this, Spider-Man needs to save the city and protect his loved ones.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) was directed by Jon Watts, based on the screenplay written by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. It is the first film of the second Spider-Man reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Starring Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Peter Parker must balance his high school life along with his duties as Spider-Man while facing a supervillain called the Vulture.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spider-Man: Far From Home 2019 is a superhero film co-produced by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios. It was was the sequel of Spider-Man: Homecoming released in 2017, which was distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. This was directed by Jon Watts and written by Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna. It stars Tom Holland as Spider-Man, together with Zendaya, Samuel Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, and Jacob Batalon. In this film, Peter Parker was recruited by Mysterio and Nick Fury to investigate an unnatural storm as they encounter the Earth Elemental.