Based on the number of customers we have on a weekly basis asking us, “Where’s the best place to start with [insert character here]?” – we’ve started a series of reading lists, recommending the best of what’s currently in print, and in chronological order. Spider-Man is one of the most iconic comic book heroes of all time, and Stan Lee’s best-loved creation. Peter Parker first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 back in 1962 and was given an ongoing series just a year later. That’s going waaaay back, so this list will concentrate on the modern era of Spidey comics, with more to be added both further back and further ahead. Going back to the turn of the century, here are some of the wall-crawler’s best contemporary tales, in reading order! This is Spider-Man Part 3:
SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1: BIG TIME (COMPLETE COLLECTION)
Dan Slott (w), Various (a)
Peter Parker has finally hit the big-time when he lands his dream job as a lead scientist in the research division of the world’s leading company in creating advanced technology, Horizon Labs. Not only do his paycheques contain a whole lot of zeroes, he’s also in a prime position to put his resources toward becoming a better Spider-Man! Peter’s team is led by rock star scientist Max Modell, and comprised of six other whiz kid colleagues: Grady, Bella, Sajani, Uatu, and Tiberius (plus one other member who works under conditions of complete anonymity).
His personal life is looking up too; he’s got a steady girlfriend, a spot on the Avengers team and even a solid friendship with his ex, Mary Jane. What could go wrong?
Well, everything… obviously!
When the world’s most dangerous metal is stolen from Horizon Labs by a deadly new Hobgoblin, Peter enlists the help of the best thief in the business to steal it back… Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat! But will they both be out of luck when they find out the Hobgoblin is working for the Kingpin of crime?
As if that isn’t enough, an upgraded version of the Spider-Slayer arrives on the scene to exact revenge on J. Jonah Jameson. His Spider-Slayer army is out for Jameson blood and they don’t care whom they have to harm to get it.
And of course there’s still enemy number one: Doctor Otto Octavius, AKA Doctor Octopus. No matter what catastrophe is taking place in the forefront, there’s always Otto scheming in the wings. The Slott run is Otto’s story nearly as much as it is Peter’s; what Brian Michael Bendis did for Norman Osborn throughout his Avengers run (the best use of the character in modern times) is what Slott does for Doc Ock, on an even grander scale.
Also in Volume One: Peter loses one of his most important senses, Flash Thompson is given a high-risk mission that will test the limits of his self-control and Spidey joins the Future Foundation! This volume also contains the stunning issue #655, one of the trippiest, most devastating translations of guilt and grief ever to grace the pages of a superhero book.
BIG TIME (COMPLETE COLLECTION – VOL. 2)
Dan Slott (w), Various (a)
Inspired by the outbreak of bedbugs making headlines as they plagued major cities around the world, Spider Island is a little stroke of genius that came off the back of a traumatic event. For the uninitiated, bedbugs are near-indestructible bloodsucking insects that set up camp in peoples’ homes (usually around their beds) and feast on them in their sleep. They are pretty much the worst and, unless you happen to work for a pest-control agency, come with no redeeming features.
Slott found a silver lining when he dreamt up a scenario in which the Jackal engineers these pests so that every insect-bite transferred Spider-Powers into those they sank their teeth into, and nearly every person on the island of Manhattan becomes infected!
People all over New York are developing Spider powers, including some of those closest to Peter. But when everyone starts to mutate, Spidey must find out who is behind the epidemic before it spreads beyond Spider-Island.
Also in Volume 2: Shang-chi teaches Peter Kung-Fu! Madame Web brings foreboding news! The Avengers, the X-men and Reed Richards lend a hand!
Plus, comedy gold occurs when some very familiar characters develop Spider-Powers.
BIG TIME (COMPLETE COLLECTION – VOL. 3)
Dan Slott (w), Various (a)
This volume kicks off with a two-part crossover with Mark Waid’s Daredevil series, in which the Black Cat is framed and Spidey and Daredevil must join forces to clear her name. It’s one of those rare stories that gets right to the core of all three characters and uses those dynamics to their full effect. Talk about a bad luck trifecta! These issues feature gorgeous art by Emma Rios and Kano respectively and stands out as a little gem among recent crossover stories.
Following this is another short but strong two-parter “Shrodinger’s Catastrophe”. When Peter’s co-worker Grady creates a time-warping doorway that allows the user to step one day into the future, Peter steps in and finds the city destroyed, because Spider-man was unable to stop the destruction. With Grady’s help he must try to recreate Spider-man’s movements from the day before to save the day and avoid certain death.
The main story arc in this volume is ‘Ends of the Earth’, which takes Peter out of his comfort zone by pitting him against a global threat. Peter is very much a hometown hero. He says it best when he admits to Silver Sable, “I’m not used to this ‘end of the world’ stuff. Gimme a me a bank robbery or one of my regular bad guys.”
Now Peter is public enemy number one, with the entire world hunting him down– literally.
Also in Volume 3: a Daredevil crossover. Surprising absolutely no one, Peter Parker kicks off this story is having some trouble with his lady friends, and everything that he experiences through the rest of the story has that piece of the infamous Parker Luck right at its center. It’s focused on that aspect of his character, and the idea that even when he uses Spider-Man as an escape from his problems, he never really wins. His entire arc in the story is built around that idea, executing that arc in one of the most entertaining ways possible.
THE SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1-6
Dan Slott (w), Various (a)
When an old foe takes control of Peter Parker’s body, there is no telling what he might do. He could carry on with his villainous ways, or run away without ever looking back. Instead he takes the opportunity to become a hero and carry on the legacy of Spider-Man— except he is plans do it better than Peter Parker ever did. Far more effective at cleaning the streets than that moralistic, namby-pamby Parker ever was, he will be the Superior Spider-Man!
Fans were indignant but point-for-point, Dan Slott addressed all misgivings with intelligence, empathy and a large dose of humour. Fans were won over when they realised what Superior was really about. This story delves into ideas of heroism, villainy and the area in between in ways that bear relevance not only to superhero comics but to situations we in real life. Through our misguided, morally dubious hero we experience equal measures of good and bad, love and tragedy, treachery and redemption.
For thirty-one issues this series continually surprised and delighted as Slott explored each new facet of the idea. The Superior Spider-Man remains my favourite Spider-Man story in recent memory, and one of the funniest, most thought-provoking sagas in the character’s history.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1: THE PARKER LUCK
Dan Slott (w), Humberto Ramos (a)
Marvel Comics
After a long absence, Peter Parker returns, but things aren’t back to normal for our favourite wall-crawler yet! His friendships have been tested, his love life dissolved and he has a newfound responsibility in managing his own Parker Industries! There’s a new spider-themed lady in town who could make his job easier or a whole lot worse, and it looks as though Peter’s bad luck isn’t running out yet!
