10 Best Spider-Man Stories in Marvel Comics History

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Spider-Man’s adventures are considered some of the greatest superhero stories ever told. Originally, Spider-Man stood out as a remarkably relatable hero – a young teenager grappling with newfound powers and personal loss. Over time, he faced even greater challenges and endured heartbreaking tragedies, leading to some truly epic comic book battles. He’s evolved significantly, and his stories have become more complex and compelling. What began as the tale of a struggling kid trying to find his place has transformed into the inspiring journey of a true hero.

Here’s a collection of the most memorable Spider-Man stories from Marvel Comics, ranging from heartbreaking moments to incredible triumphs.

10) The Death of Spider-Man

The storyline ‘The Death of Spider-Man’ takes place in the Ultimate Marvel Comics Universe. It begins with Spider-Man becoming involved in a conflict between the Avengers and Ultimates, during which the Punisher shoots at Captain America. Mistaking the Punisher’s intent, Spider-Man jumps in front of the bullet to save Captain America. He ultimately dies fighting the Ultimate Goblin while trying to protect Aunt May and his friends. The story is particularly memorable for its emotional impact and the raw reactions of Aunt May and MJ, who blame Captain America for Spider-Man’s death. It’s widely considered one of the most powerful death stories in Marvel Comics history.

9) Spider-Man: No One Dies

Considered one of the best Spider-Man stories of the 2000s and a highlight of Dan Slott’s work on the series, Spider-Man: No One Dies stood out for being a self-contained narrative, not tied to larger comic book events. The story is particularly remembered for a poignant moment: J. Jonah Jameson’s wife, Marla, sacrificed herself to save him during an attack by Alistaire Smythe, taking the full force of the assault.

The confrontation with JJJ was devastating, but Marla urged him to not be overwhelmed by grief. Instead of seeking blame externally, JJJ took responsibility for his own actions. Meanwhile, Spider-Man was also consumed by self-blame, and the story’s title reflects his vow to prevent future tragedies. Given the numerous losses Peter Parker has experienced, this storyline depicts him reaching his emotional limit.

8) Spectacular Spider-Man #200

Issue #200 of The Spectacular Spider-Man remains a classic Spider-Man story, largely due to its powerful and self-contained narrative. Written by J.M. DeNatteius and illustrated by Sal Buscema, the issue features Harry Osborn briefly returning as the Green Goblin, driven by a desire to avenge his father’s death. However, the story focuses on Harry’s eventual redemption; he recognizes the danger he’s causing to those he cares about and ultimately sacrifices himself to save them when his plan fails. Harry’s death, occurring in an ambulance with Spider-Man present, is considered one of the most heartbreaking moments in Marvel Comics history.

7) The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man

Issue #248 of Amazing Spider-Man is a memorable single-issue story, featuring art by the legendary John Romita Jr. While the first part involves a battle with the villain Thunderball, it’s the second story that truly stands out. It centers on Tim Harrison, a nine-year-old Spider-Man superfan who collects everything about the hero. Spider-Man learns about Tim and visits him, patiently answering all his questions and even revealing his identity. The issue takes a deeply emotional turn when it’s revealed that Tim is battling cancer and doesn’t have much time left, making this one of the most poignant issues in Marvel Comics history.

6) Spider-Man: No More

A truly memorable moment in Spider-Man comics happened when Peter Parker walked away from his Spider-Man costume, tossing it in a trash can. This occurred during the “Spider-Man: No More” storyline, published in Amazing Spider-Man issues #50-53. This story is also famous for first introducing the villain Kingpin. In it, Peter decides to give up being Spider-Man because he feels unappreciated despite constantly saving people. However, when Kingpin gains power, Spider-Man realizes he can’t abandon his responsibilities with such a dangerous threat still around. It was the first time Spider-Man seriously contemplated quitting, and the story perfectly illustrated why he ultimately couldn’t.

5) The Night Gwen Stacy Died

Throughout his adventures, Spider-Man has shared romances with several women, but his first love tragically died at the hands of the Green Goblin. This event, depicted in The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122, was a pivotal moment, resulting in the deaths of two important characters. What made it so shocking was that Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s girlfriend, was the victim. Ironically, while the Green Goblin was responsible for the attack, it was Spider-Man’s own web – used in an attempt to save her – that ultimately caused her death. The Green Goblin also appeared to die in this storyline. This arc demonstrated Marvel’s willingness to put Spider-Man through intense hardship and loss.

4) The Death of Jean DeWolff

The story of Jean DeWolff’s death was a difficult one for Spider-Man, as it involved the loss of a trusted ally in the police force. In The Spectacular Spider-Man issues #107-110, Spider-Man discovers Captain DeWolff had been murdered, and he immediately begins investigating. The killer turned out to be the Sin-Eater, who was shockingly revealed to be DeWolff’s former partner. This storyline was particularly challenging for Spider-Man because it dealt with complex moral issues and forced him to confront another tragedy he was powerless to stop.

3) Spider-Man: Life Story

Spider-Man: Life Story presented a unique take on the character by showing his entire life unfold in real-time. Starting in the 1960s, the story followed Peter Parker through decades, including the Vietnam War era and into his 50s and 60s in the 2000s. It was compelling to see familiar Spider-Man stories reimagined with an aging hero, culminating in a poignant final issue featuring an elderly Peter Parker reflecting on his life. The series was both emotionally resonant and a tribute to everything that makes Spider-Man special.

2) Superior Spider-Man

Many fans consider Superior Spider-Man to be the best Spider-Man comic of the 21st century. The story began with a final battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus, who was fatally ill. In a shocking twist, they switched bodies, and Peter Parker died in Doc Ock’s body. This allowed Doctor Octopus to take over Spider-Man’s life, becoming the ‘Superior’ version. The comic explored Doc Ock’s transformation into a hero, highlighting his greater scientific intelligence. It demonstrated the potential for Spider-Man to be even more effective with someone other than Peter Parker as the hero. The story proved incredibly popular, quickly making Superior Spider-Man a fan favorite.

1) Kraven’s Last Hunt

Many fans consider Kraven’s Last Hunt the greatest Spider-Man story of all time because it powerfully depicts Spider-Man experiencing a true defeat. Kraven, a lifelong hunter, became fixated on Spider-Man as his ultimate challenge, and he finally succeeded in capturing and burying the hero alive. Ironically, achieving his goal left Kraven feeling empty, so he took on the persona of Spider-Man. In a tragic climax, Kraven died by suicide just as Spider-Man was escaping and attempting to intervene, revealing profound insights about both hunter and prey.

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2025-12-08 17:11