For all Lee’s skill in matching superheroic action with the day to day soap opera of Peter Parker and his friends, during his final months on the title it’s obvious his attention was elsewhere.

Ditko's part as an artist is undoubtedly great (not to mention that he co-plotted the most of the stories), he really gave Spider-Man the attributes that he is so well-known and an atmosphere to his stories that lasts to this times. I recently read FF Vol 1, and though I enjoyed both, the story arcs in here were more intriguing, and the world building was far superior. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our site, provide personalised content and advertising, analyse our traffic, and ensure you see more of what you love.His first fights with the Green Goblin, the villain who would defeat him more disastrously than any other!

Beyond the obvious action and adventure you would expect from a comic series it also captures a time period better than many novels could. Man-Wolf, the Punisher, the Jackal, and Hammerhead, although his inspiration is drying up by the final content. THE Spider-Man collection, from his origin story all the way to the end of the Steve Ditko run, plus four bonus annuals which all featured new stories. The depiction of the females in this book definitely feel like the 60's though, with all the women being suddenly attracted to Peter and Aunt May going in and out of the hospital and not much else. The Fox and his gang are the usual uninspired villains that would show up in Strange Tales (Note: This is not the much more fun Fox, also a master thief, who would show up in the 80s).So many classic side characters and villains are introduced in this run, and we even get a couple almost sightings of a certain Mary Jane Watson.

By the end of the Kirby/Lee run that is this omnibus they are just getting to the familiar storylines everyone knows from the movies. Steve Ditko's art never infringed on either precept, which is something I cannot say for newer comics. The reason why Spider-Man never faltered in popularity or importance, neither as a character nor as a symbol, is all thanks to the dynamic duo of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.The highlight is their fight, a staple of superhero misunderstandings, though there is some silliness with the Torch’s hotheadedness (heh) the silly flame images (a power that doesn’t last), and the contrived ice web. Doctor Octopus is my pick for Spider-man’s greatest villain (Sorry—not sorry—Goblin fans), and his first issue is awesome.