Spider-Man

Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in the comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 in August 1962. He is widely regarded as one of the most popular and successful superheroes ever.

Spider-Man's secret identity is Peter Benjamin Parker, who was raised by his Aunt May and Uncle Ben in Queens, New York City. After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter gained superhuman powers including strength, speed, agility, and the ability to cling to walls. He wears a spider-web patterned costume and uses web-shooters to swing through the city.

Peter learned that "with great power comes great responsibility" after his Uncle Ben was killed, and began using his powers to fight crime. He has many friends and enemies, and has been a member of superhero teams like the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. Spider-Man has also appeared in many television shows, films, video games, and novels, portrayed by actors such as Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland.

Publication history

Further information: List of Spider-Man titles

Creation and development

In 1962, Marvel Comics wanted a new superhero. The editor, Stan Lee, thought teenagers would like a hero they could relate to, so he created Spider-Man. Lee got ideas from different places, like a crime fighter named the Spider and watching a spider climb a wall.

Lee needed approval from the publisher, Martin Goodman. Goodman agreed, and Spider-Man first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 in August 1962. Artist Steve Ditko helped create the character's look and style. There were some changes during creation, like dropping a magic ring idea, before settling on Peter Parker, a teenager bitten by a spider who gains powers.

1960s

Spider-Man became very popular, and Marvel started a new series, The Amazing Spider-Man, in March 1963. Peter faced challenges like paying rent, dealing with a bully named Flash, and fighting crime. He also had a tough boss, J. Jonah Jameson, who didn’t like Spider-Man. Peter met friends like Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy, and fought many villains, including the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus.

1970s

In the early 1970s, Spider-Man’s stories led to changes in comic book rules. A story showed the bad effects of drug use, and even though some rules said drugs couldn’t be shown, the story was published anyway because it sold so well. In 1973, Gwen Stacy was tragically killed, which changed Spider-Man’s story forever.

1980s

In the 1980s, Spider-Man got a black costume from a big event called Secret Wars. Later, it was revealed the costume was alien and became an enemy named Venom. In 1987, Peter Parker married Mary Jane Watson, but their marriage was later removed from the story in 2007.

1990s

In the 1990s, there were many new Spider-Man stories and characters. A big story involved a clone of Spider-Man, and there was confusion about who was the real Peter Parker. Another big event was when Mary Jane seemed to die in a plane explosion but was later found alive.

2000s

In 2000, a new version of Spider-Man called Ultimate Spider-Man was introduced. In 2005, Peter joined a team of heroes called the Avengers. In 2007, a big story called “One More Day” removed Peter’s marriage to Mary Jane from the story forever.

2010s

In 2011, a new Spider-Man named Miles Morales was introduced. In 2014, another Spider-Man appeared called the Superior Spider-Man, but Peter returned soon after. Spider-Man also met many other versions of himself from different worlds during events like Spider-Verse.

Fictional character biography

Peter Parker grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, after his parents died in a plane crash. He was raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. While in high school, Peter was bitten by a radioactive spider, giving him super strength, speed, agility, and the ability to climb walls. He made web-shooters and became Spider-Man, but after refusing to stop a thief who later killed Uncle Ben, Peter vowed to use his powers for good.

Peter balanced his life as a student, a photographer for the Daily Bugle, and a superhero. He faced many villains, including the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and many others. His personal life was difficult, especially when his friend Gwen Stacy died, and later when his girlfriend Mary Jane’s unborn child did not survive. Peter continued to fight crime, teach at his old high school, and work with other heroes, always remembering Uncle Ben’s lesson about responsibility.

Personality and themes

Spider-Man is often seen as a regular person who faces real-life problems, just like many readers. He deals with big feelings, tough choices, and trying to do what is right, even when others don’t trust him. In the stories, people sometimes misunderstand him or even treat him unfairly.

The tales of Spider-Man also reflect the times they were told. For example, during the 1960s, his stories showed the political feelings of young people and their worries about the world. Peter Parker, the person behind Spider-Man, often struggles to balance his desire to help with his need to follow the law. His journey also shows the challenges of growing up and becoming a mature adult, even when things don’t go as planned.

Powers, skills, and equipment

Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, which gave him amazing powers. He can stick to walls and climb smooth surfaces, move with great speed and agility, and has a special "spider-sense" that warns him of danger. Experts think his ability to stick to surfaces might be due to a special scientific interaction between his body and the walls.

Peter is very clever and knows a lot about many subjects, including science, math, and engineering. He made his own web-shooters that spray special fluid, allowing him to swing between buildings quickly. He also created spider-tracers that he can follow with his spider-sense.

Supporting cast

Main articles: List of Spider-Man supporting characters and List of incarnations of Spider-Man

Spider-Man has many important friends and family members in his stories. After his parents passed away, Peter Parker was raised by his loving aunt, May Parker, and his uncle, Ben Parker. After Uncle Ben passed away, Aunt May became Peter’s main family and they are very close.

J. Jonah Jameson is the boss of the newspaper where Peter works, called the Daily Bugle. He often writes negative stories about Spider-Man. But Robby Robertson, who works with Jameson, supports both Peter and Spider-Man.

Eugene "Flash" Thompson was Peter’s school bully but later became his friend. He even took on a superhero role himself. Harry Osborn, the son of Peter’s friend Norman Osborn, is Peter’s best friend and faces challenges with addiction.

Enemies

Main article: List of Spider-Man enemies

Spider-Man faces many challenging foes, often with powers from science experiments. One of his biggest challenges is the Green Goblin, an enemy who targets not just Spider-Man but also his friends and family. Another major enemy is Doctor Octopus, a smart scientist who fights Spider-Man using mechanical arms. The character Venom, once a reporter who turned against Spider-Man, also becomes a tough opponent but sometimes works with Spider-Man to protect others.

Romantic interests

Peter Parker’s first love was Gwen Stacy, who sadly passed away. Later, he fell in love with Mary Jane Watson, and they eventually got married in some stories. Another friend and partner is Felicia Hardy, also known as the Black Cat.

Children

In some stories, Peter Parker has children, like Mayday Parker and Annie Parker, though this doesn’t happen in the main storyline.

Alternate versions of Spider-Man

Main article: Alternative versions of Spider-Man

There are many different versions of Spider-Man from other worlds. For example, there is Spider-Ham, a fun version of Spider-Man as a pig. In other stories, Peter Parker has a daughter who becomes Spider-Girl, and there is even a version where Gwen Stacy is Spider-Woman. There is also Miles Morales, a different Spider-Man from a modern story. The storyline “Spider-Verse” shows many of these different Spider-People coming together.

Reception and legacy

Spider-Man is remembered for being different from other superheroes. Instead of being super powerful or perfect, he was a regular high school student with everyday worries. This made him feel more real and led to big changes in comic books.

Spider-Man became one of the most famous characters in the world. People have used him to sell many products, from toys to cereal. He has appeared in many TV shows, movies, video games, and more. In 2014, products with Spider-Man made over $1.3 billion in sales around the world.

Spider-Man has also been part of big events. For example, he was a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1987 to 1998, and again from 2009 to 2014. In 2001, Marvel used Spider-Man in a comic book story to help people understand and cope with the feelings after the September 11 attacks.

Many people and experts think Spider-Man is one of the greatest superheroes ever. He has been ranked highly in many lists and is loved for his humor, bravery, and the way he faces tough times with a smile. In 2022, Spider-Man's early comic books were released as part of a special collection by Penguin Random House.

Real-life comparisons

Some real people have been compared to Spider-Man because of their amazing climbing skills:

• In 1981, Dan Goodwin, wearing a Spider-Man suit, climbed the Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois, the Renaissance Tower in Dallas, Texas, and the John Hancock Center in Chicago. He became known as "Spider Dan."
• Alain Robert, called "Spider-Man," is a climber who has scaled over 70 tall buildings using just his hands and feet. He sometimes wears a Spider-Man suit during his climbs. In 2003, he was paid to climb Lloyd's building in London to promote the movie Spider-Man.
• In 1921, someone known as "The Human Spider," Bill Strother, climbed the Lamar Building in Augusta, Georgia.
• In Argentina, criminals who climb buildings and enter private property through open balconies are sometimes called to use the "Spider-Man method."

In other media

Spider-Man has appeared in many forms of media beyond comics, including cartoons, films, video games, coloring books, novels, records, children's books, and theme park rides. On television, his first animated series was Spider-Man (1967–1970) on ABC, followed by many other shows like Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994–1998) and Ultimate Spider-Man (2012–2017).

Spider-Man has been shown in live-action films too. Actors like Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland have all played Spider-Man in movies. He has also been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. There have been animated films as well, such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Spider-Man has also been featured in video games and even a Broadway musical called Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.