The Amazing Spider-Man (Penguin Classics Marvel Collection)

Early comics are such a joy to read. There's a certain charm in them that's hard to find now. These are the heroes I grew up on, and these stories helped me get into writing.

Penguin Classics’ “The Amazing Spider-Man” collects “Amazing Fantasy” #15, “The Amazing Spider-Man” #1-4, 9-10, 13-14, & 17-19 along with summaries of “Amazing Spider-Man” #5-8, #11-12, #15-16, Annual #1, and material from “Strange Tales” #97, all written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Steve Ditko. These stories detail much of Spidey’s formative first two years, while Ben Saunders’ introduction explains the historical context of the comic book industry at the time as well as the legacy of Lee & Ditko’s work. Jason Reynolds’ foreword describes what Spider-Man – and his teenaged alter ego Peter Parker – meant to Reynolds and his brother as young readers, further helping to contextualize the character.These stories introduce Spider-Man’s friends and family, Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, Liz Allen, and Flash Allen. Spider-Man regularly works with members of the Fantastic Four, developing a friendship with the Human Torch, and even meets the Avengers in these stories. Additionally, classic recurring villains make their first appearances, including the Vulture, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, the Lizard, Electro, Big Man & the Enforcers (Montana, Fancy Dan, & Ox), Mysterio, the Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, the Sinister Six, and Mac Gargan (who later become the Scorpion & Venom). The story from “Strange Tales” #97 features a couple named Aunt May and Uncle Ben months before “Amazing Fantasy” #15, though these two have little in common with Peter Parker’s family as their story so thoroughly departs from the May & Ben who appeared later.These formative issues underscore the significance of Spider-Man and lay the groundwork for the hundreds and hundreds of stories that followed. As Stan Lee noted in the end of issue 9, summing up Ol’ Web-head’s appeal, Spider-Man is “the superhero who could be – you!” (pg. 162). In addition to the stunning presentation of this volume with its bold red covers with gilt details and page edges, Penguin added bonus material for fans new and old. This volume includes three appendices, suggestions for further reading, and a notes section as befitting the best of Penguin’s historical collections. The overall presentation makes it a truly lovely volume to gift to any fan.

I have been getting into Spider-Man just in time for its 60th anniversary so I preordered this collection of early Lee & Ditko years comics. I don't read American comics very often, and while some of these stories may seem a little simple or quaint by the standards of today's more complex narratives, they are engrossing all the same and the last several issues included just got better and better til I was glued. It is terrific being able to see the origins of this character and others as well as where filmmakers like Sam Raimi derived a lot of their own interpretations of Spider-Man from. The printing quality is quite good (a few pages had some slight blemishing probably as a printer mistake, but nothing severe) and the overall presentation of things is very crisp and easy to read.Part of me does wish though that this volume collected the first 18 issues with no skipping at all, a few issues are skipped over and have their events summarized in their place. I understand why this was done, and some of them did sound skip-worthy, but there were a couple described involving Doc Ock and more drama with Betty that I really would have rather gotten to read than just had summarized. Still, worth five stars. I really hope these Penguin Marvel books are not just one-offs and that second volumes get released. Spider-Man comics compilations like this seem to get very rare and valuable after a little while, and it's very lucky I was able to get this for just $28. Let's hope the success of this release promises us more. We didn't even get to see Gwen Stacy or MJ yet!

Great book looks awesome

It’s a great comic book and I recommend Amazon is the great at delive

Perfect for when you want to just sit back relax and read a book. Love the hardcover version with the red and gold cover. I’m a HUGE marvel fan so this comic book did not disappoint!! I would definitely recommend to anyone who has just recently started reading marvel comics.

Looks just like the photo! Good read

Who doesn't want to own an Amazing Fantasy No. 15?!? But if you had one, it would be hermetically sealed inside its graded case, and probably tucked away inside a climate-controlled vault to avoid any chance of damage. Or enjoyment, if you come right down to it: you'd never dream of touching it or (gasp!) actually reading it.That's why I loved this volume so much. It was wonderful to experience some of the foundational Spider-Man comics as if they had been purchased off the rack in the corner five-and-dime (albeit, as part of this volume, considerably less able to be folded and carried inside one's back pocket). But everything's there in all the original glory: the stories; the artwork; even original fan letters to the editor. Add contemporary essays and interesting historical commentary to the mix, and you better understand why these comics have become an essential part of the zeitgeist and are worthy of such a sumptuous and well-executed volume. Treat yourself!