The upcoming animated release of Spider-Man: Freshman Year promises to explore the origins of Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only will the series cover how Peter Parker became Spider-Man, but it will likely also develop his close friendships with characters like Ned and MJ from the live-action trilogy.
Of course, Spider-Man's collection of close friends is quite a bit larger in the comics. He has developed tight friendships with other superheroes over the course of his career that have made him a better hero and human being. Spider-Man's closest also know that they can rely on him for anything, whether that's taking out a powerful supervillain or giving them a shoulder to lean on.
10 Deadpool And Spider-Man's Complicated Friendship Has Developed Over Time
The two similarly-costumed heroes didn't exactly start out on the best terms. They initially clashed due to Deadpool's past as an assassin and still problematic career as a mercenary. This even led to Spider-Man quitting the Avengers when Deadpool was offered a spot on the roster. However, Spider-Man/Deadpool brought the heroes together and a closer bond developed between the two.
Spider-Man began to see the goodness hidden inside Wade Wilson while Deadpool adopted more of Peter Parker's heroic ideals. The two heroes have become incredibly close friends who even gifted each other matching Bad Boys-themed Christmas sweaters. Spider-Man is definitely one of Deadpool's top superhero friends.
9 Doctor Strange And Spider-Man Have A Unique Relationship As Superhero Allies
While the two MCU heroes starred together in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the comics reveal a long history between the two. There are quite a few Spider-Man & Doctor Strange team-up storylines that have highlighted their close friendship. Doctor Strange is always Spider-Man's first contact when he needs help with mystical superhero matters.
Likewise, Doctor Strange can always count on Spider-Man when he needs help as well. Their close friendship was further revealed when Doctor Strange gave Spider-Man the incredibly touching birthday present of five more minutes with his beloved Uncle Ben.
8 Miles Morales Earned The Name Of Spider-Man And The Original's Friendship
The young Spider-Man Miles Morales had originally never met Peter Parker before he took on the role in the Ultimate Universe. His reality's Spider-Man had died in battle with the Green Goblin before he debuted. However, the two Spider-Men met in a couple of multiversal battles before Miles Morales migrated to the 616 universe in Secret Wars.
Peter Parker quickly became a mentor to Miles Morales and the two worked closely together. The original hero gave Morales his blessing to continue operating as Spider-Man. Of course, Miles is quick to call out the elder Spider-Man when he feels he needs to, which Peter Parker has come to appreciate and trust.
7 Luke Cage Is One Of Spider-Man's Closest Friends On The Avengers
Spider-Man and Luke Cage worked together a few times as street-level heroes in New York City. They established shared respect and frequently called each other for help when it was needed. However, their friendship grew even closer when they joined the New Avengers together.
Marvel's first Power Man Luke Cage eventually took over the New Avengers, and Spider-Man was one of the first heroes he asked to join his team. Cage was there for Spider-Man after the House of M event. Spider-Man was also one of the first to back him up when his daughter was taken by Skrulls. Both are key moments that showcase their tight bond as fellow Avengers.
6 Agent Venom Was Peter Parker's Best Friend And Spider-Man's Biggest Fan
Flash Thompson may have originally been Peter Parker's high school bully, but he was also Spider-Man's biggest fan. Things changed between Flash and Peter over the years, and they eventually became best friends in college. Afte Flash was injured during the war, he volunteered for a government project called Project: Rebirth 2.0.
Flash was bonded with the Venom symbiote to become the mostly heroic (but sometimes villainous) Agent Venom. Flash sacrificed himself to save Peter during the "Go Down Swinging" storyline after their identities were revealed to each other. However, he later returned in his Agent Anti-Venom identity.
5 Wolverine And Spider-Man Have Grown Closer During Troubled Times
Most characters have learned that Wolverine isn't always the easiest character to love. However, he is a loyal and trustworthy friend once his walls are down. Spider-Man and Wolverine's relationship is sometimes tense but they have bonded over shared tragedies and troubles over the years. Wolverine helped Spider-Man deal with his accidental killing of a former KGB agent.
He also helped talk Spider-Man down when the House of M reality was revealed to be a lie. They further bonded through commiseration during the Dark Reign event. Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine saw the two heroes on a time-crossed adventure that brought them even closer together as they developed a new understanding of each other.
4 Felicia Hardy Was Spider-Man's Former Lover And Partner As Black Cat
Spider-Man has worked closely with a few different heroes over the years, though one of the closest was his first costumed partner, Black Cat. Felicia Hardy was a costumed cat burglar before she met Spider-Man. They developed a close relationship and began working together first as allies and then as lovers.
While their romantic relationship ended, Black Cat has remained one of Spider-Man's closest friends over the years. Their relationship has been tested time and time again, though they always manage to find strength in their shared history.
3 Ben Reilly Was Peter Parker's Cloned Brother Before He Became Chasm
Dr. Miles Warren/The Jackal attempted to drag Peter Parker into the darkness by making him fight a cloned version of himself. However, he inadvertently gave Peter Parker one of his strongest allies. That clone adopted the identity of Ben Reilly and eventually returned to New York City as the Scarlet Spider.
His relationship with Peter Parker was tense at first but they quickly became brothers until Reilly's death. Some of Ben Reilly's biggest moments since he returned from the dead saw him turn to villainy as the Jackal. However, he reformed and briefly returned to the role of Spider-Man. Unfortunately, the loss of Ben Reilly's memories led to his transformation into the villainous Chasm.
2 Daredevil And Spider-Man Revealed Their Secret Identities To Each Other
The blind attorney Matt Murdock actually discovered Spider-Man's secret identity first, thanks to his enhanced senses as Daredevil. He recognized that Parker's heartbeat was the same as Spider-Man's after a few encounters. The web-slinger is one Marvel character Daredevil always interacts with in New York City.
The two heroes had already developed a professional relationship, though it reached a new level when Daredevil unmasked himself to Spider-Man. He did it to keep their relationship on a trusted and even level. The two have kept each other's secret identities for years, which allowed them to connect on a level that neither character had with their other superhero peers.
1 The Human Torch And Spider-Man Have A Hilarious But Also Deep Friendship
When Spider-Man and the Human Torch first met in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #1, they quickly hit it off with their banter during their battle. The two heroes developed a close friendship based on jokes and pranks, though there was a depth to their friendship as well. They were there for each other when nobody else was, no matter what.
The Human Torch is Spider-Man's best superhero friend because they meet to exchange presents every Christmas at the Statue of Liberty. Johnny Storm even offered Spider-Man his place with the Fantastic Four after his apparent death Peter Parker was the only person Johnny trusted to join his family in his stead.