In 1962, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko struck gold. They introduced what those in the business call a new “long underwear character” (5) to the world. In the final issue (no. 15) of a failing comic titled Amazing Fantasy, Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became Spider-Man.

This 500 page volume collects Spider-Man’s first adventures (1962–64), restored and reprinted in full colour on glossy paper:

• Amazing Fantasy #15
• Amazing Spider-Man #1–17
• Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1

If you were familiar with the 1967–70 TV series, this will be a nostalgic read. Here is where all of Spidey’s classic villains were introduced for the first time—The Vulture, Doctor Octopus, The Sandman, The Lizard, Electro, Mysterio, and Kraven the Hunter, to name a few.

This is also where Spidey’s key relationships are set up: the over-caring Aunt May, the Spider-Man hating J. Jonah Jameson, and his first crush, Betty Brant (although Aunt May is always trying to set him up with that Watson girl).

These comics are the foundation that made Marvel the entertainment empire it is today. Before you watch that next Marvel film, pick up this volume and know your roots!

Lee, Stan and Steve Ditko. Amazing Spider-Man: Great Power. Epic Collection 1. New York: Marvel, 2014.