Spider-Man is, without a doubt, the number one name at Marvel Comics. Even during Iron Man's run as the breadwinner of the MCU, Spider-Man was easily the most popular character on Marvel's roster. Earning the stature as top dog in comics doesn't happen overnight. Spider-Man cemented a legendary comics run that endures to this day through a medley of great stories, artwork, and bold editorial decisions.
Moreover, some of the most essential issues in comics history exist in Spider-Man's back catalog. Within those issues are iconic panels that have become equally as legendary and indispensable as the character they feature.
10 Spider-Man: No More Left Many Fans Wanting More
Few superheroes have as tumultuous a relationship with their alter ego as Spider-Man. Peter Parker has seemingly been incapable of balancing his heroic life and more mundane life from the beginning of his adventures. Peter has abdicated his position several times as the web-slinger, but the first time is the most memorable. To celebrate the 50th issue of Amazing Spider-Man, Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. had Peter reconsidering his role as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Midway through the issue, Peter ditches his familiar costume in the trash can.
9 "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" Issue Became A Collector's Item Itself
It would be a mistake to think that all the famous Spider-Man panels are action-oriented. Spider-Man is a character that focuses on sentimentality, and the issues frequently reflect that. In the classic story "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man," readers watch Spider-Man visit a child during the evening. The kid shows off a comprehensive collection of authentic memorabilia from the wall crawler's exploits. As the evening winds down, the kid begs to learn Spidey's identity. Spider-Man relents, and readers soon learn that the kid, suffering from terminal cancer, has just weeks to live.
8 Spider-Man Grieved With All Of America During 9/11
Before they were synonymous with Hollywood, Marvel was known as a New York City company. In that regard, Spider-Man might be the most quintessentially New York hero under their banner. When the 9/11 attacks happened, Joe Quesada, Marvel's editor in chief at the time, decided that the Amazing Spider-Man title needed to reflect the grief New Yorkers were experiencing.
The result is one of the most haunting and poignant pieces of art from renowned Spider-Man artist John Romita Jr., The panel transcends the medium of comics.
7 Spider-Man Unmasks For The Whole World To See
Spider-Man is the gold standard when it comes to heroes guarding their secret identity. Superman started the trope, but Spider-Man refined and perfected it. Plenty of prime Spider-Man moments center around Peter struggling to protect his alter ego. But to help promote Mark Millar's Civil War series, Marvel decided to do the unthinkable. Editorial decided that Spider-Man would reveal his identity to side with Iron Man's public hero initiative. In the second issue of the series, Peter Parker unmasked in front of a crowd of photographers and journalists.
6 Green Goblin's Reveal Shocked The Comic Industry In The '60s
Aside from its central premise of having a teenager serve as the protagonist, Spider-Man broke new ground in several ways. Until the '60s, no villains ever figured out who their superhero rivals were underneath the mask. In Amazing Spider-Man #39, the mysterious Green Goblin discovered that Spider-Man was Peter Parker. After kidnapping the wall-crawler, the Goblin revealed his identity - a mystery that had plagued fans for several issues. The issue was a landmark in superhero comics, drastically changing hero and villain dynamics forever.
5 Fans Hit The Jackpot With Mary Jane's Reveal
John Romita Sr. and Stan Lee's legendary era of Amazing Spider-Man is unmatched for impactful character reveals and debuts. For dozens of issues, Aunt May, desiring female companionship for her love-starved nephew, decided to match Peter up with her friend's niece.
Peter intentionally sidestepped the meet-up for months, believing that his well-meaning aunt couldn't pick a girl that matched his "modern" tastes. After obscuring Mary Jane's face for several issues, fans were blown away by the character's iconic reveal at the end of issue 42.
4 Spider-Man's Origin Gave Fans A Character They Could Sink Their Teeth Into
No one expected Spider-Man to be a hit- especially his creators. As Marvel, known as Timely at that point, was transitioning away from sci-fi tales and into superheroes, they began to cancel and reformat their books. One of the books on the chopping block was Amazing Adult Fantasy. Since the book was ending, Steve Ditko and Stan Lee dumped Spider-Man's origin into the final issue. Once fans saw Peter get bitten by that radioactive spider, Marvel learned they had a character that fans wanted to sink their teeth into.
3 Spider-Man's Act of Strength And Resolve Raised Fans Respect For The Character
Spider-Man's unique tenacity is one of his greatest traits. Marvel's big guns like Thor and the Thing can definitely outmatch The wall-crawler at a power level. However, when it comes to grit, few heroes can equal Spider-Man's ability to keep swinging.
At the climax of the Master Planner Saga, Spider-Man finds himself pinned under debris. As if that wasn't bad enough, he's also trapped underwater in a hideout that's steadily flooding. Using the last of his strength, Peter valiantly frees himself in an iconic panel.
2 Spider-Man Learned That With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility The Hard Way
Typically, a character's origin gets confined to the moment they receive their powers. In Spider-Man's case, that's just the beginning. Initially using his power to amass wealth and fame, Spider-Man lets a criminal that he could have stopped escape. Later that day, Peter discovers his Uncle recently got murdered. After chasing the criminal down, fans learn that the murderer is the same person Peter could've previously stopped. The panel symbolizes the moment Spider-Man transcended his power to learn responsibility. The image distills the essence of Spider-Man.
1 Gwen Stacy's Death Changed The Course Of Spider-Man Comics Forever
Calling Gwen Stacy's death iconic doesn't do the moment justice. Before her death, comic book superheroes never failed. Irrespective of the task, comic characters would always solve the problem and rescue the civilian. Part of what makes the moment so memorable is the mystery surrounding it. When Spider-Man arrives to battle the Green Goblin, Gwen is already unconscious. However, when he goes to rescue her from falling, there's a snap sound effect. Did Peter inadvertently kill his true love? Or was Gwen Stacy already dead?