Long before cinema, Peter Parker, the twirling Spider-Man, has masterfully woven his canvas in comics. First appeared in 1962 under the baton of master Stan Lee and under the brush of Steve Ditko, the character has become over the years as one of the most (if not the most) ?) popular. It is thanks to the magic formula launched by the two comic artists, namely a geek high school student hero, who multiplies the galleys in his daily life, that the Spider-man has become an intergenerational icon. Far from the perfect sculpture of a Superman or a Batman, Spider-Man is a debonair model within the reach of all, and whose completely masked profile (unlike most of his colleagues) makes it all the easier. identification.
And if the monte-en-air made dream a lot of toddlers and young teenagers thanks to its adaptations to the cinema, that it is through the excellent trilogy of Sam Raimi , the reboots of Sony or the new version made in Marvel Studios, Spider-Man: Homecoming , it’s good by his paper adventures that he revolutionized the genre. To quench your thirst for canvas, here are five comics, classified in their order of publication and which will also suit the neophyte.
1. The Essential: Spider-Man: The Complete 1962-1963 of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
To become a Bible, you must imperatively this integral which gathers the first adventures of Spidey. It is simply THE indispensable volume. The character makes his first appearance in an issue of Amazing Fantasy. The success is such that a series is immediately born. These first religious numbers are grouped in this integral volume. The opportunity to discover the original versions of the greatest enemies of the Weaver: Vulture, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Chameleon, Lizard, etc. But especially to probe the initial DNA of Peter Parker: both left, benevolent, nerd wish and juggling as he can between education, family life, work, and his psychological journey to become a superhero. The well-known adage “great power implies great responsibility” makes sense and brings a personal reflection on identity.
These early adventures are stimulating both intellectually and visually. We love the retro charm of the book. Steve Ditko’s drawings define the visual charter of the superhero. A paw so innovative that it is still present decades later, as evidenced by the obvious resemblance to the costume worn by Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
The collection of integrals then continues until the mid-80s, along with other key Spider-Man stories, such as the death of Gwen Stacy, the first saga of the clone or the arrival of the black suit ( The Last Hunt of Kraven de JM DeMatteis to read absolutely!). John Romita Sr. then remarkably took over from Ditko by magnifying the features of the superhero by his precise and romantic style.
2. The Dark Period: Spider-Man by Todd McFarlane Volume 1 (1990-1991)
A few years before giving life to the evil Spawn, Todd McFarlane got his hands on Spidey. In 1988, the designer joined screenwriter David Micheline for The Amazing Spider-Man and operates a small revolution in the postures of the spider-man, who become more flexible and animal. The success is such that a new series soberly Spider-Man is born two years later.
And what a series! At the same time creator, screenwriter and designer, Todd McFarlane is at the peak of his form and inaugurates the dark age, raw comics of the 90s. Exit the uninhibited valves and colorful environments, the author installs the character in a dynamic totally dark and cockroach with a lot of philosophical-depressive monologues. Violence, blood, dirt, and sweat permeate the pages, parodying punctuated graphic works with little touches.
The spider-man has never worn his name so well, gesticulating in supernatural spidery positions, portrayed by McFarlane’s fine, precise line. The Weaver meets pell-mell protagonists like Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Venom, the Super Jester or the Lizard. Although the collection does not bother to tell again the origins of the hero, it is quite easy to take the bandwagon without being lost.
3. The Parallel Universe: Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 1 by Brian M. Bendis and Mark Bagley (2000)
In the early 2000s, after some cinematic adaptations of his superheroes ( X-Menand Blade ), Marvel decides to attract a younger readership. Faced with the constraints of a narrative continuity that has spanned several decades, the publishing house launches a new series that take place in a parallel dimension: the “Ultimate” universe. Peter Parker then becomes a teenager as it started.
The opportunity for author Brian Michael Bendis to modernize the history of the Weaver by keeping the essentials: the genetically modified spider sting, the death of Uncle Ben, and the famous precept of the superhero. Peter Parker is confronted with the problems of an adolescent of his time. The villains were also treated to polish. The Green Goblin becomes a kind of sluggish demon who throws balls of flames, while Electro is bald with sky-blue electric skin (a version inspired by director Marc Webb for the movie The Amazing Spider-Man). 2 ).
Bendis shines through a totally immersive narration. The author painstakingly depicts the microcosm of American high school life, with his intellectuals, his bimbos, his handsome kids adulated … The private life and the galley of the young vigilante take a preponderant place in history. As for the drawings of Mark Bagley, this one brings precision and a sharpness effective for this type of adventure. In short, a simple comic book that is an ideal entry for the young reader.
4. The Masterpiece: Spider-Man by JM Straczynski Volume 1 by JM Straczynski and John Romita Jr. (2001)
Still, in the early 2000s, screenwriter Joseph Michael Straczynski echoes the classic Spider-Man series, marking a turning point in the world of canvas. The author demonstrates unparalleled irreverence by shaking up the well-established status quo of the superhero. His powers come not from a radioactive spider, but from the work of a god, which makes Peter Parker the elect of an ancestral prophecy. Although this change may have irritated comic book aficionados at the time, it allows the narrative to be anchored in a more up-to-date dynamic, reinforcing the hero’s empathic and courageous character.
Straczynski ignores the iconic super-villains of the bachelor’s degree and focuses on the gangrene of contemporary society. His hero is concerned about gangs, the sale of drugs or racism. The author goes so far as to dedicate a poignant special issue to the tragedy of September 11th. His Spidey becomes more serious and thoughtful, even if one does not escape his usual humorous pikes.
The skill of the screenwriter is amplified by the skill of the cartoonist John Romita Jr., always excellent to stage perfectly rhythmic fights. Although it may be a little difficult to apprehend for the neophyte, Straczynski’s series, cut into three volumes, is so unavoidable that its reading is simply essential.
5. Take Away on the Beach: Spider-Man: A New Day Volume 1 by Dan Slott, Steve McNiven and Salvador Larroca (2012)
In 2012, Straczynski arrives at the end of the course and Marvel wants to renew his readership. Faced with the writer’s exuberance of scriptures now viewed with a bad eye by the publishing house, the series will experience a disproportionate backpedaling. Exit the tortured adventures of the hero, Marvel wishes to regain the light spirit of the first years, even to put away a large part of his faithful readers.
It is enough for a pact with the devil Mephisto for the collective memory to be erased, that Parker finds his secret identity and that many of his relatives are magically resurrected. In short, a story spin that puts the counters back to zero. The spirit of the original version resurfaced and our hero finds his daily galleys. Despite quality artistic teams and new villains, the series, which begins with Spider-Man A New Day, however, lacks truly exciting and original episodes.
