The 10 Best Spider-Man Stories In Marvel History

by

Spider-Man’s history in comics is incredibly rich, offering stories that are both exciting and deeply meaningful. His adventures cover everything from personal struggles with loss and making amends, to epic journeys across different universes. This consistently explores themes of strength, regret, optimism, and what it means to be a hero – hallmarks of the greatest superhero stories.

For decades, Spider-Man stories have redefined the superhero genre, blending classic action with complex themes and strong moral lessons. From the straightforward style of Steve Ditko to the darker explorations of J.M. DeMatteis and the imaginative scope of Dan Slott, each era of Spider-Man has consistently reinforced the importance of responsibility.

10. The Clone Saga

The story of The Clone Saga starts with a surprising comeback: Ben Reilly, a clone of Spider-Man (Peter Parker), unexpectedly reappears. He was originally created by the villain Jackal years before. Ben had been hiding, convinced he wasn’t as good as the real Peter Parker. His return to New York City throws Peter’s life into chaos and sets off a series of dramatic events.

The story follows Peter and Ben, who start as rivals but team up when they uncover a dangerous plot. This plot involves the villain known as the Jackal, a mysterious character named Kaine (an unsuccessful clone of Peter Parker), and the hidden puppet master, Norman Osborn, who returns as the Green Goblin. But the biggest shock comes when Peter learns he’s actually the clone, and Ben is the real Peter Parker.

9. Ultimate Spider-Man (Miles Morales’ Debut)

The death of Peter Parker in the Ultimate Marvel Universe felt like a major turning point. However, a new Spider-Man soon emerged: Miles Morales, a young Afro-Latino teenager, first appearing in Ultimate Fallout #4. His story, told throughout Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, offered a new and exciting version of the classic Spider-Man tale.

His journey felt real and heartfelt, and his relationships with other Spider-People, particularly Peter Parker, were truly inspiring. This story showed that Spider-Man represents a standard of heroism anyone can strive for.

8. Spider-Verse

Spider-Verse is a story that brings together Spider-Man characters from all different universes to fight a huge, common enemy. Created by writer Dan Slott, this sprawling adventure features not just different versions of Spider-Man and Spider-Woman, but even spider-powered animals, all battling the Inheritors – a family who feed on the energy of spider-people.

Spider-Verse is a celebration of Spider-Man’s core values, brilliantly demonstrating how diverse Spider-People can be while still sharing the same heroic spirit. It’s an energetic, enjoyable, and truly rewarding film, particularly for those who have followed Spider-Man for years. And it introduced Spider-Gwen, who quickly became a beloved character.

7. The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man

In The Amazing Spider-Man #248, Spider-Man (Peter Parker) fulfills a young, terminally ill boy named Tim Harrison’s final wish by visiting him. Peter reveals his secret identity to Tim and spends time sharing stories of his heroic life. The story is brief, straightforward, and incredibly moving.

This story captures what makes Spider-Man truly human. It’s less about fighting bad guys and more about reaching out to people, especially when they’re struggling.

6. Spider-Man: Blue

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Spider-Man: Blue is a touching story about Peter Parker’s first love, Gwen Stacy. Told from Peter’s point of view as he remembers their time together, it’s a sad but beautiful look back at their relationship. He records messages to Gwen as a way to deal with her being gone, and the story is full of longing and the pain of lost love, perfectly capturing the sweetness and tragedy of young romance.

Spider-Man: Blue is a beautifully told story that focuses on grief and loss. It doesn’t simply recount Gwen Stacy’s death, but explores how her memory continues to affect Peter Parker. The artwork is stunning, and the writing perfectly captures the sadness of love and loss.

5. The Death of Jean DeWolff

This intense murder mystery, originally published in The Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110, features Spider-Man tracking down the Sin-Eater, a ruthless killer responsible for the death of police captain Jean DeWolff. The story takes a darker turn, examining complex issues of justice, revenge, and what’s right and wrong.

This story makes Spider-Man feel more relatable by putting him in a difficult situation with no easy answers. It challenges him to face his weaknesses as a hero and deal with his anger. The writing is clever and insightful, and the dark, moody atmosphere adds another layer to Spider-Man’s personality.

4. If This Be My Destiny…!/The Final Chapter (The Master Planner Saga)

In The Amazing Spider-Man issues 31 through 33, Spider-Man confronts a huge crisis: he’s pinned beneath a massive pile of wreckage while his Aunt May is in danger. The story is famous for the scene where Peter Parker, using incredible strength and determination, manages to lift the debris and rescue her, perfectly demonstrating what makes him a hero.

This Spider-Man moment is incredibly inspiring. It’s not just about his physical power, but his incredible willpower. The image of Peter Parker lifting all that machinery is famous, and it perfectly shows how determination can overcome even the darkest feelings.

3. The Night Uncle Ben Died / Spider-Man’s Origin

It all began with Amazing Fantasy #15, where Peter Parker gets spider-like abilities and first uses them to benefit himself. However, when his selfishness results in the tragic death of Uncle Ben, Peter realizes a crucial lesson: with great power, he has a great responsibility to others.

The story of how Spider-Man became who he is teaches a classic lesson: our actions have consequences, and we must take responsibility for them. This core message is what defines Spider-Man, and it’s just as powerful now as when the story first appeared in 1962.

2. Kraven’s Last Hunt

In “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” the hunter captures Spider-Man, buries him, and then impersonates him, attempting to prove he’s the superior hero. However, his triumph feels empty, and the story ultimately ends in tragedy. This intense and psychologically driven narrative explores Kraven’s troubled mind and Spider-Man’s unwavering spirit. It’s a thought-provoking story about who we are, the reality of death, and the dangers of obsession, beautifully enhanced by Mike Zeck’s dark and fitting artwork, making it a truly unforgettable Spider-Man tale.

1. The Night Gwen Stacy Died

The story in The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 features Spider-Man’s most heartbreaking defeat. The Green Goblin kidnaps Gwen Stacy and throws her from a bridge. Although Peter tries to rescue her, the sudden stop of his webline accidentally causes her death. This event dramatically changed the world of comics, proving that even superheroes aren’t invincible and can experience devastating failures. Gwen’s death ended Spider-Man’s and the entire comic book industry’s sense of innocence, leading to more complex and mature stories.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/7-iron-armors-too-weird-for-the-mcu/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-24 20:15