Spider-Man is one of Marvel's greatest heroes. One of the best street-level heroes in the Marvel Universe, Spider-Man has risen above his station, helping out in nearly every major Marvel conflict, battling some of the most dangerous foes around, and becoming an Avenger. There are few heroes as popular or as accomplished as Spider-Man and the adventures he's had have thrilled fans for decades.
Those adventures have also had a profound effect on him, changing the character and his world. Whether it be the introduction of new villains, major events in his life, or everything in between, Spider-Man wouldn't be the same after these stories.
10 Amazing Spider-Man #300 By David Michelinie & Todd McFarlane Introduced Spider-Man To Venom
Spider-Man's symbiote costume was a big deal for the character and after he lost it in Web Of Spider-Man #1 by Louise Simonson & Greg LaRocque, it was years before anyone thought of it again. That would all change in Amazing Spider-Man #300, which would introduce Spider-Man and the world to Venom, a character who would have a huge impact on the Wall-Crawler and the Marvel Universe.
Venom's introduction would lead to Carnage and even more symbiote-themed villains that would plague Spider-Man for years to come. Eventually, Venom would become a hero and an ally to Spider-Man, and it would all start here.
9 Ultimate Spider-Man: The Death Of Spider-Man Would End One Of The Most Beloved Versions Of The Character & Lay The Groundwork For A New One
Ultimate Spider-Man is one of the most popular Spider-Man books of all time. A reboot of Spider-Man, it allowed modern readers to experience a teenage Peter Parker without spending thousands of dollars and having to wade through bombastic Stan Lee dialogue. Fans loved this version of Spider-Man and this story would spell his end.
While there had been plenty of bait and switch "death of Spider-Man" stories in comics, this one delivered, killing Peter Parker off. He stayed dead but would be replaced as Spider-Man by Miles Morales, who would go on to become extremely popular.
8 The Clone Saga Is The One Of The Most Infamous Spider-Man Stories Of Them All
For years, the Clone Saga was one of the lowest moments in Spider-Man's history but that makes it no less important. Featuring the return of the Spider-Man clone, it would introduce a multitude of characters and mined all kinds of drama from its premise. It also marked the return of Norman Osborn, a moment that would change Spider-Man's life for years to come.
The Clone Saga isn't known for being the best storyline, but there are actually a decent amount of great moments sprinkled throughout it. It doesn't deserve all the hate and was the harbinger of a lot of change for the Webslinger.
7 Spider-Verse Introduced Other Versions Of Spider-Man From Different Worlds
Morlun was introduced as a new, big villain for Spider-Man by writer J. Michael Straczynski, but once the writer left the book, he would mostly disappear. Dan Slott brought him back in grand fashion with Spider-Verse, pitting Morlun and his fellows against multiversal versions of Spider-Man.
It was rare to see Spider-Man play around in the Marvel Multiverse, and this story embraced it. Introducing Spider-Gwen and other Spider-Men from different worlds, it would see Spider-Man really embrace his legacy as a hero and also serve as the inspiration for one of the best Spider-Man movies of all time, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.
6 Civil War Saw Spider-Man Reveal His Identity To The World & Learn A Valuable Lesson
Civil War remains one of the biggest Marvel stories of the last thirty years. It wrought many massive changes to Marvel's heroes, and Spider-Man was one of the biggest affected. Coerced by Iron Man into revealing his identity on national television, it would set some terrible events into motion.
This action would lead to Aunt May getting fatally wounded and drive Spider-Man to great lengths to save her. It would also teach him not to trust his heroes, as Iron Man was using him as a pawn in his game. Revealing his identity would have a profound effect on his life, changing him in the years to come.
5 Spider-Man: One More Day Would See Spider-Man Save Aunt May At A Terrible Cost
Spider-Man: One More Day dethroned the Clone Saga as the most infamous Spider-Man story of all time and for good reason. Desperate to save a dying Aunt May, Spider-Man turned to many of his fellow heroes for help until he only had one option left—Mephisto. Mephisto's price for help is simple: Spider-Man must give up his marriage. He did so, and one of Marvel's most beloved relationships ended.
Not well-received by Spider-Man fans, One More Day represents what happens when hidebound thinking drives storytelling. It did away with Spider-Man's marriage, a move that would cause fan uproar for years to come.
4 The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 By David Michelinie, James Shooter, & Paul Ryan Saw Spider-Man & Mary Jane Get Married
Spider-Man's wedding was a huge deal for the character and something that would define him in the years to come. He and Mary Jane had been through a lot of ups and downs together, so the two of them getting married was kind of a no-brainer. It would lead to an all-new era in Spider-Man's life, as well—one that fans loved.
Spider-Man's marriage may have aged him up a bit in readers' eyes, but it also was the next logical step for the character. One of the greatest weddings in Marvel history, it's probably one of the most beloved events in Spider-Man's life, inspiring years of backlash after it was unceremoniously ended.
3 Amazing Spider-Man #3 By Stan Lee & Steve Ditko Introduced Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus would go on to become one of Spider-Man's greatest foes, and Amazing Spider-Man #3 would be where their rivalry began. The two would clash for years, with this first battle being a harbinger of things to come. Ock would affect Spider-Man in all kinds of ways, from marrying his Aunt May to killing him.
Doctor Octopus has been a massive part of Spider-Man's life, doing terrible and amazing things in his time. He's been a villain and a hero, even becoming Spider-Man for a time. Few villains had the impact on Spider-Man's life that he has.
2 Amazing Spider-Man #14 By Stan Lee & Steve Ditko Introduced Green Goblin
More so than Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin is probably Spider-Man's most important villain, and this is the comic that introduced him. Green Goblin would become a perennial thorn in Spider-Man's side, learning the Wall-Crawler's secret identity and obsessing over him, devoting himself to destroying Spider-Man.
Green Goblin's impact on Spider-Man over the years can't be denied. He's bedeviled the Webslinger for years, committing horrible acts against him and earning his title as Spider-Man's most dangerous foe. Green Goblin would also be partly responsible for one of the worst events in Spider-Man's life.
1 Amazing Spider-Man #121 By Gerry Conway & Gil Kane Represents The Greatest Loss In Spider-Man's Life
Peter Parker's first long-term relationship was with Gwen Stacy. She was his first love, and in a perfect world—one without the Green Goblin—they probably would have gotten married. However, Amazing Spider-Man #121 would end those hopes. Goblin kidnapped Gwen and took her to the George Washington Bridge, with tragedy following.
He and Spider-Man would meet in battle and Goblin threw her from the bridge. While Spider-Man caught her with a webline, her neck broke when it snapped taut. This event changed Spider-Man's life. He was wracked by guilt, but it would also lead to his relationship with Mary Jane, one of the most important relationships in his life.
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