The History Of: Spider-Man

New month, new comic book character celebration! This year marks the 59th anniversary of our favorite web-slinging, rooftop swinging, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! In honor of this momentous occasion, we’ve put together a brief history on one of the most relatable superheroes around.

Created by Marvel Comic writers Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spider-Man first graced the pages of American comic books in August 1962, making his appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15. During the age where teenage and child comic book characters were relegated to ‘sidekick’ or other supporting roles, Spider-Man was the first of his kind, dealing with everyday struggles adolescent readers could relate to. (Well, minus the whole spider bite from a radioactive spider turning him into a superhero thing.)

Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man was introduced as the nerdy, yet loveable, science-loving high school student from Queens, New York City, New York. Orphaned due to a tragic plane accident that took the lives of both parents, he was raised by his Aunt May and Uncle Ben. During a trip to a science exhibit, Peter Parker is unexpectedly bitten by a radioactive spider, thus giving him the power of an arachnoid. Through this bite, Peter gains the ability of superhero strength, increased agility, the gift to cling to surfaces, and the ability to sense danger, dubbed as his “spidey-sense.”

Unlike other adolescent characters gifted with extraordinary powers, Peter is alone on his path to learn and hone his skills. With no superhero mentor, he had to learn the hard way that “with great power there must also come great responsibility” -- through the murder of his Uncle Ben by a criminal he could have stopped. While there have been many who donned the title of Spider-Man, such as Miles Morales and Ben Reilly, the original Peter Parker Spider-Man will live on in comic book history forever!

Can’t get enough of your beloved Spider-Man? Having a hard time waiting for the newest movie to debut this December? Supplement your love and anticipation of our favorite arachnoid-human hybrid with collectibles from Gentle Giant, Ltd. and Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles Spider-Man categories!