Are you new to comics?
Everyone has to start somewhere, young Padawan—nobody’s an expert right out of the gate.
Introduction
Hey there, fellow reader—thinking about getting into Spider-Man? You’ve come to the right place. Now, maybe you took the easy way and watched a YouTube video instead of reading a full guide like this one… but hold on! Stick around a bit longer—this page is worth it.
I’ve read over 1,500 Spider-Man comics, and I’m pretty sure most YouTubers haven’t hit that number. (Or at least I really hope not.) So if you’re here, chances are you’re looking for some guidance to help you jump into Spidey’s world the right way.
Well then, my fellow Spider-Fan—welcome to my Spider-Verse Guide:
Main Content
It’s okay not to know everything
Comics often reference events from other storylines, and tons of heroes and villains have histories that connect to Spider-Man in some way. So if you feel a little lost at first—don’t worry, that’s completely normal. Spider-Man’s world is huge, and no one understands everything right away. Just enjoy the ride, and things will start making more sense as you go.
Comic book basics
When you dive into comics, you’ll come across terms like issues, magazines, trade paperbacks, and omnibuses. Don’t worry—they’re easier to understand than they sound.
An issue is just a single comic book, usually around 20 pages. Marvel puts out new ones every month. Each issue is part of a larger series or magazine. For example, in The Amazing Spider-Man #300, “The Amazing Spider-Man” is the name of the series, and “#300” means it’s the 300th issue.
To make things easier for readers, Marvel also releases collected editions. These are bundles of several issues that tell a full story. For example, Kraven’s Last Hunt is a famous arc often sold as a trade paperback, which usually collects about 5 or 6 issues. If you’re looking for something more complete—like everything by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko from the early days—you’ll probably find it in a bigger collection called an omnibus.
How to read the comics
A lot of people try to read Spider-Man starting from issue #1 because they want the full story. But honestly, from my experience, I wouldn’t recommend that. You’ll end up slogging through tons of comics that don’t really add much and it could take years to get through it all. So why put yourself through that? It’s way more fun to jump right into Spider-Man’s best stories—and that’s exactly what this page is for.
Keep in mind, Spider-Man has been around for over a thousand issues. And if you count all his guest appearances in other comics, it’s even more!
The good news? Marvel doesn’t do full reboots like DC does. Spider-Man’s adventures have been rolling since the 1960s and still keep going strong in the 2020s. How is that possible without him aging like crazy? Marvel uses what’s called a sliding timescale—basically, one year in the comics equals about four years in real life.
My tip? Start with runs—these are chunks of comics written by one author, usually anywhere from 30 to 300 issues, with a consistent story and tone. Or, if you want something lighter, try out smaller story arcs that last just 1 to 5 issues.
Potential confusions
It’s totally normal to feel a bit confused now and then. Spider-Man’s stories often mention big Marvel events like Infinity War or Secret Wars, which can make things a little overwhelming. If you’re not sure what’s going on, don’t stress—just look up a quick YouTube summary of the event. You don’t need to read every tie-in or side story unless you want to. The goal here is to enjoy Spider-Man, not get buried in homework.
Also, don’t be thrown off if you see multiple Amazing Spider-Man #1s floating around. Marvel loves relaunching the series with a new #1 every few years to boost sales. And yeah, there are other titles too—like Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man, and Spider-Man Team-Up. Just remember: Amazing Spider-Man is the main series. I’ve included suggestions on this page to help you figure out which ones are actually worth your time.
Where to get comics
I won’t say exactly where I read all these comics — don’t want Marvel to ban me! (Just kidding, Marvel. Hehe.)
But seriously, if you want to read Marvel comics, the main option is Marvel Unlimited, Marvel’s official digital subscription service. It’s pretty affordable, and they even offer a hassle-free free trial.
Other options include Comixology Unlimited, Amazon’s platform for digital comics. And of course, there’s the classic route: finding physical issues at your local comic book store — if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby. (Not like me. 😔)
Personal experience
If I had the chance to reread all the Spider-Man comics—yeah, all 1,500 of them—I honestly wouldn’t do it the same way. Back then, I tried to take on too much at once. I rushed through the stories, flipping faster and faster just to keep going, and didn’t really take the time to enjoy them.
If I could start fresh, I’d focus on the best Spider-Man runs—the ones that really matter. For the big Marvel events or storylines I wasn’t that into, I’d just watch a quick YouTube summary instead. That way, I could stick to what really matters: enjoying the ride and appreciating what makes Spider-Man so special.
Conclusion
What more can I say that I haven’t already? One thing’s certain—you’re in for an incredible journey with Spider-Man. His story is full of heart, challenges, and growth. He’s not just Marvel’s most beloved hero—he’s the one so many people see themselves in. He could be you, me, or anyone trying to get through life’s ups and downs. And no matter how hard things get, he always finds a way to rise back up.
So if you’re here, ready to dive into the world of this amazing character… bon appétit!
And hey—if you’re wondering how to get started, don’t miss my guide: How to Read Comics. I’ll walk you through the steps to begin reading Spider-Man the right way. It’s not too tricky, but a little guidance can make all the difference.