Are you new to comics?
Nobody starts off as an expert, my dear Padawan.
Introduction
Welcome, dear reader… Interested in reading Spider-Man? You’re in the right place. If you picked the easy route, you might have watched a YouTube video instead of reading this page. But hey, don’t go yet—finish reading this page first! Remember, I’ve read 1,500 Spider-Man comics, and I doubt most YouTube fans have reached that number!… at least I hope so. Anyway, if you’re here, it means you want a guide or some direction to help you dive into Spider-Man comics.
So, my dear Spider-Fan, let me present to you my Spectacular Guide:
Main Content
It’s okay not to know everything
Every comic mentions events happening in different storylines. Many characters, both heroes and villains, have backstories tied to Spider-Man. So it’s normal not to understand everything when you first explore Spider-Man’s world.
Comic book basics
In comics, you’ll find terms like issues, magazines, trade paperbacks, and omnibuses. Issues are single comic book installments, usually about 20 pages long. Marvel releases them every month. Each issue is part of a magazine or series. In The Amazing Spider-Man #300, The Amazing Spider-Man is the magazine. The #300 refers to the specific issue.
Marvel sells collected editions of key stories, like Kraven’s Last Hunt. They bundle around six issues into a trade paperback. Longer storylines, like all the issues by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, are often in an omnibus.
How to read the comics
Many people begin reading Spider-Man from the first issue. They want to gain a complete understanding of the story. But I wouldn’t suggest this based on my experience. You’ll end up wading through a huge number of comics that lack value for reading. Also, reaching that goal might take years. So, why go through all that? You could enjoy Spider-Man’s best stories instead. That’s the point of this page. It’s nearly impossible unless you show total dedication. Remember, Spider-Man comics have over a thousand issues. If you include special appearances, it might be even more!
The good news is Marvel doesn’t do full reboots like DC does. Spider-Man’s story has been ongoing since the 1960s and continues into the 2020s. So, why aren’t the heroes Baby Boomers yet? Marvel uses a “sliding timescale.” This means one year in the comics is like four years in real life.
I recommend starting with “runs.” This is a series of comics by one writer. It usually includes 30 to 300 issues, and the story stays consistent throughout. You could also begin with smaller arcs, which may span 1 to 5 issues if you want to start with something lighter.
Potential confusions
You may feel confused at times. This can happen due to mentions of other Marvel storylines, like Infinity War or Secret Wars. If you feel lost with these big crossovers, try this: watch a YouTube summary of the event. You don’t need to burden yourself with reading every side story if your goal is to enjoy Spider-Man.
Remember, Marvel often relaunches Amazing Spider-Man with a new #1 to boost sales. So, it’s normal to feel a bit confused sometimes. There are many other Spider-Man titles too. Some include Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man, and Spider-Man Team-Up. (Remember: Amazing Spider-Man is the main title!) On my page, you’ll find recommendations on which ones are worth reading.
Where to get comics
CHANGE WHEN KEVIN GIVES ME BACK LAPTOP
Again, there might be moments of confusion due to references to other Marvel Universe storylines or major events like Infinity War or Secret Wars. If you ever feel lost because of one of these big crossovers, I recommend taking the easy route: just watch a YouTube summary of the event. There’s no need to burden yourself with reading every side story if your goal is simply to enjoy Spider-Man.
Also, keep in mind that Marvel often relaunches Amazing Spider-Man with a new #1 to boost sales, so it’s normal if you feel a bit disoriented at times. Besides that, there are several other Spider-Man titles like Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man, and Spider-Man Team-Up, among others. (Just remember: Amazing Spider-Man is the main title!) On my page, you’ll find recommendations on which ones are worth reading.
Personal experience
If I could reread all the Spider-Man comics (about 1,500 issues), I wouldn’t pick that option. I tried to cover too much at once. I didn’t take the time to enjoy the stories. Instead, I rushed through reading, speeding up with each page.
If I had to start over, I would focus on the best Spider-Man runs. I’d also watch YouTube summaries of major events or stories I didn’t care about. This way, I could stay true to my main goal: enjoying and appreciating Spider-Man.
Conclusion
What else can I say that I haven’t already covered? One thing’s for sure: You’re going to have an amazing time reading Spider-Man. Spider-Man’s journey is amazing. He’s Marvel’s most loved character. Many people see him as the superhero they relate to most. He could be you or me, struggling with everyday life, yet no matter the obstacles, he always rises again.
If you’re here and committed to reading about this incredible character, bon appétit!
Check out my page, How to Read Comics. I’ll guide you on the steps to read Spider-Man comics. It’s not too complicated, but a little extra help never hurts.