What is the definitive Spider-Man story?

[Mister Mets]

What do you guys think is the definitive Spider-Man story?
This doesn't mean it has to be the best Spider-Man story (although it'll probably be one of them), just the one you think provides the best example of just what Spider-Man is (or should be) about.

[Michael P]

The Master Planner Saga.

[Gorakmev]

Sins Past, It shows Spidey's true colors and how even if someone is at odds with him he still wishes to save them. Plus his temper tantrem in his appartment was great.

[Slam_Bradley]

The Master Planner Saga.


Correct in one.

[Crimson]

While I haven't read it myself (I will one day) from the write ups of it, The Death of Gwen Stacy.

Even when his life is destroyed around him, he does what is right and doesn't give in and kill Goblin (even though for a while it kinda seemed he would).

[DarkKnightDD]

Amazing Spider-Man's "Coming Home."

JMS' first arc on the title and, in my opinion, still the best.

[Charagon]

The Death of Gwen Stacy defines everything that is Spider-Man.

[Reptisaurus!]

"Spider-Man!" From Amazing Fantasy # 15.

Lee and Ditko got it in one.

"Master Planner" is probably a distant runner up.

I don't see why Death of Gwen Stacy, as good as it is, would be considered "definitive." It's a major change in the status quo, but I don't see how it gives any insight into Spidey's character.

[Charagon]

Because it includes every major aspect of Spider-Man into that single storyline.

He's late getting back home to Gwen (Parker Lateness) and has a cold (Parker Luck) only to find that the Green Goblin has kidnapped Gwen (Super Hero life conflicting with Civilian life) so he fights the Goblin (Super Powered Showdown) but fails to save Gwen (Spider-Man has always been the anti-triditional super hero), later (after some JJJ Hate) he tracks Norman down and nearly beats him to death but stops (Peter's No Kill Rule).

[Mister Mets]

I started this thread because I'm conflicted on the matter myself.

The Master Planner Saga.

This is the one I was thinking of. It features one of his greatest enemies, shows the Parker luck in his innocent way of making enemies in school, has the greatest demonstration of Peter's inner strength (a scene so great that everything similar pales in comparison) , excellent scenes with J. Jonah Jameson, peter's romantic problems, his intelligence (devising a gas mask), and it's by his definitive creators. (Not really a requirement though.)

Because it (The Death of Gwen Stacy) includes every major aspect of Spider-Man into that single storyline.

He's late getting back home to Gwen (Parker Lateness) and has a cold (Parker Luck) only to find that the Green Goblin has kidnapped Gwen (Super Hero life conflicting with Civilian life) so he fights the Goblin (Super Powered Showdown) but fails to save Gwen (Spider-Man has always been the anti-triditional super hero), later (after some JJJ Hate) he tracks Norman down and nearly beats him to death but stops (Peter's No Kill Rule).

Until now I didn't really consider this the definitve Spider-Man story (It's always been my personal favorite though.) Don't forget how well it set up Harry Osborn as a future Spider-Man enemy, and Mary Jane Watson as Peter's true love (the final page.)

Another I was thinking of: Mark Millar's recently finished run on Spider-Man, the result of his decision to do everything he wanted to do with Spider-Man in 12 issues. It demonstrates how firmly Spider-Man is set in the Marvel Universe, ends his rivalry with J. Jonah Jameson, features the best of his rogues gallery in action (Green Goblin, Doctor Ocropus, Venom), shows how nice a guy Spider-Man is (what he does when he gets a lot of money), provides a reminder of just how important Spider-Man is, shows his love for his Aunt May, shows him questioning his superhero status, shows Peter's skill as a teacher, has him return to the Daily Bugle as a photographer, and shows new financial problems for Spider-Man (realistic with MJ's supermodel status).

[AstroZombie]

While I'd be the first to say that there is no one definitive Spider-Man story, the Death of Gwen Stacy is definitely up there. As is Amazing Fantasy #15.

My favorite issue is Spectacular Spider-Man #200, though I suppose it's not quite as "definitive" as some of the other stories told in the past.

[The Mirrorball Man]

The Spider-Man 2 movie.

[Gorakmev]

The Spider-Man 2 movie.

The movie's story, while certainly good, was just a collection of mutilated stories that were cramed together from the books.

EDIT: oh, sorry, I thought you meant SM 1. Yes, SM 2 was more original. :)

[Reptisaurus!]

Because it includes every major aspect of Spider-Man into that single storyline.

He's late getting back home to Gwen (Parker Lateness) and has a cold (Parker Luck) only to find that the Green Goblin has kidnapped Gwen (Super Hero life conflicting with Civilian life) so he fights the Goblin (Super Powered Showdown) but fails to save Gwen (Spider-Man has always been the anti-triditional super hero), later (after some JJJ Hate) he tracks Norman down and nearly beats him to death but stops (Peter's No Kill Rule).

Good points. I guess I wasn't calling it definitive because it was so atypical. (Bad stuff always happens to Pete, but very rarely does he have *this* bad a day.) But you're right. There's lots of classic Spidey elements in it, too, which I overlooked.

[Master Darque]

One issue . Hell ...one short story .

The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man .

This has it all .... the origin , retold by Spidey himself ...to a young boy who is Spidey's biggest fan ? In Spidey's own words , he recaps what happened to him and why he does what he does , and ultimately .....reveals his identity to a boy he's just met ??? Even when the boy promises he'll never tell and Pete says " I know ... I believe you " yer like , " Yeah Pete ...you numbskull !! " until you see a distraught Spider-Man standing outside the boys room and you read the caption of a newspaper report saying how the reporter hopes Spidey is reading this , because there's a very special fan out there who only has a short time to live ..... that gets me every time . EVERY time . This short story shows us what Peter Parker and Spider-Man is all about . Responsibility and compassion and doing the right thing at all costs ...all the time .

If you didn't love Spidey before this story , how could you not after reading it ?

[Karl J. Barnes]

Amazing Spiderman #121 and #122(I think that these were the issue numbers)- The Death of Gwen Stacey and The (first) Death of the Green Goblin.

We get to see Peter/Spiderman fail, lose it, seek revenge and realize that though Norman deserves everything that is coming to him, Peter can't kill him. Seeing Goblin skewered on his own glider was just too poetic for words.

[The Mirrorball Man]

The movie's story, while certainly good, was just a collection of mutilated stories that were cramed together from the books.

EDIT: oh, sorry, I thought you meant SM 1. Yes, SM 2 was more original. :)
Anyway, as I understand it, the purpose of this thread is not to find out what is the best or the most original Spider-Man story. Remember, we're looking for the definitive story. :)

[Geardaddy]

Gotta agree with Charagon again. I think "The Death of Gwen Stacy" is the definitive Spider-Man Story. After this issue, Spider-Man was never the same. Sure he already had guilt as a result of his Uncle's death, but this was not a death directly related to Spider-Man.

But for my money, "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" (ASM #248) is my all time favorite single issue story of Spider-Man. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but any fan of Spider-Man HAS to read this story.

[olympichero62]

JMS' first run on Amazing was great.

Amazing Spider-man #121 and #122. (although JMS has now tarnished that)

The master planner saga was genius.

No specific order.

[The Shadow]

The Death of Gwen Stacy defines everything that is Spider-Man.
I think you mean Uncle Ben

[chicainery]

The Master Planner Saga.

This is also the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the title of this thread.

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/77906321824.33.gif

[Kirayoshi]

How about the classic "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut" two-parter? Classic stuff, featuring Spider-Man up against a foe he can't possibly defeat, in a desperate bid to save an ally(Madame Web)! He fought the Juggernaut with strength, with brains, with wit and with heart, and no matter how stacked the odds were against him he didn't give up! Powerful stuff.

The sad thing is that nowadays they'd pad that story out to six issues!

[Homer Simpson Voice]Stupid decompressed storytelling![/Homer Simpson Voice]

[AlanScott606]

How about the classic "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut" two-parter? Classic stuff, featuring Spider-Man up against a foe he can't possibly defeat, in a desperate bid to save an ally(Madame Web)! He fought the Juggernaut with strength, with brains, with wit and with heart, and no matter how stacked the odds were against him he didn't give up! Powerful stuff.

The sad thing is that nowadays they'd pad that story out to six issues!

[Homer Simpson Voice]Stupid decompressed storytelling![/Homer Simpson Voice]

I agree 100%

[Reptisaurus!]

How about the classic "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut" two-parter? Classic stuff, featuring Spider-Man up against a foe he can't possibly defeat, in a desperate bid to save an ally(Madame Web)! He fought the Juggernaut with strength, with brains, with wit and with heart, and no matter how stacked the odds were against him he didn't give up! Powerful stuff.


And, if I remember this right, wins through sheer luck.

I repeat.

Peter. Parker. Wins. Because. Of. Good. Luck.

Not, t'my mind, definitive.

[Mister Mets]

One issue . Hell ...one short story .

The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man .

This has it all .... the origin , retold by Spidey himself ...to a young boy who is Spidey's biggest fan ? In Spidey's own words , he recaps what happened to him and why he does what he does , and ultimately .....reveals his identity to a boy he's just met ??? Even when the boy promises he'll never tell and Pete says " I know ... I believe you " yer like , " Yeah Pete ...you numbskull !! " until you see a distraught Spider-Man standing outside the boys room and you read the caption of a newspaper report saying how the reporter hopes Spidey is reading this , because there's a very special fan out there who only has a short time to live ..... that gets me every time . EVERY time . This short story shows us what Peter Parker and Spider-Man is all about . Responsibility and compassion and doing the right thing at all costs ...all the time .

If you didn't love Spidey before this story , how could you not after reading it ?

This is one of my favorite comic book stories ever, and possibly the best comic book to give to someone (anyone) to get them to appreciate comics. But I couldn't call it a definitive Spider-Man story, because it doesn't really cover the important aspects of Spider-Man's life (especially battles with supervillains, and Peter's home life)

How about the classic "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut" two-parter? Classic stuff, featuring Spider-Man up against a foe he can't possibly defeat, in a desperate bid to save an ally(Madame Web)! He fought the Juggernaut with strength, with brains, with wit and with heart, and no matter how stacked the odds were against him he didn't give up! Powerful stuff.

The sad thing is that nowadays they'd pad that story out to six issues!

[Homer Simpson Voice]Stupid decompressed storytelling![/Homer Simpson Voice]

I was actually thinking that it could be padded to 4 or so issues one time when I reread the story (Although that was before Bendis & Ellis & JMS & the writers unable to use decompression as a tool.)

[psmoore]

I'm new to ASM but have finally finished the 40 Years of ASM on CD (last night) and would have to agree with The Death of Gwen Stacy and The Death of the Green Goblin. Although I really liked the Kid Who Collects Spiderman (threw me for a loop at the end, wasn't expecting it at all).

But what about when Aunt May learns Peter's identity? That was pretty difinitive I thought. You have the fight, the lies, relationship problems, and then dealing with Aunt May too..

Just my 2 cents from a newbie.

[Crimson]

I'm new to ASM but have finally finished the 40 Years of ASM on CD (last night) and would have to agree with The Death of Gwen Stacy and The Death of the Green Goblin. Although I really liked the Kid Who Collects Spiderman (threw me for a loop at the end, wasn't expecting it at all).

But what about when Aunt May learns Peter's identity? That was pretty difinitive I thought. You have the fight, the lies, relationship problems, and then dealing with Aunt May too..

Just my 2 cents from a newbie.

Thats probally my favorite Aunt May story... she finally became something more then "Oh! I'm ill... Peter's such a frail boy". I loved when she started following his career as Spider-Man and became his #1 fan kind of like what mom's of some famous people do. :D

[PanzerMega]

How about the classic "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut" two-parter? Classic stuff, featuring Spider-Man up against a foe he can't possibly defeat, in a desperate bid to save an ally(Madame Web)! He fought the Juggernaut with strength, with brains, with wit and with heart, and no matter how stacked the odds were against him he didn't give up! Powerful stuff.

The sad thing is that nowadays they'd pad that story out to six issues!

[Homer Simpson Voice]Stupid decompressed storytelling![/Homer Simpson Voice]

You took the words right out of my mouth. Love that story, that's the one.

[speedy12]

Stan Lee's run and Spider-Man: death and destiny (Lee Weeks)

[austin316gb]

Wooo, I think i'm gonna draw some heat here but well....


I gotta say Maximum Carnage is one of my favourites as is Revenge of the Sinister Six

[Faust451]

ASM #33

"The Final Chapter"

[SleepWalker]

The Death of Gwen Stacy defines everything that is Spider-Man.

I agree. This is THE story.

So much so that it is still referenced to this day.

[stealthwise]

What is the Master Planner story and where did it take place? I've been reading Spider-Man on and off for the past 20-something years and I'm not sure what it is.

[Mister Mets]

What is the Master Planner story and where did it take place? I've been reading Spider-Man on and off for the past 20-something years and I'm not sure what it is.

Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1 #31-33. Peter's first days at college. Aunt May's sick. An old villain takes the alias of the Master Planner, and later steals something Aunt May needs for an operation. Demonstrates just what Peter will sacrifice to save her, and "The Final Chapter" opens with a really famous much copied sequence of Spider-Man trapped under a massive weight..

[Stephane Garrelie]

What is the Master Planner story and where did it take place? I've been reading Spider-Man on and off for the past 20-something years and I'm not sure what it is.
Stan lee/Steve Dikto: the master planner was Doc Ock. It's one of my fave and maybe the best ever.
all along with:
Lee/romita's origin of the green goblin (the real norman, not the joke that you can see since his resurection).
Kraven's last hunt
The kid who collected spiderman.
Stern's stories with the Hobgoblin, the juggernaut, Mr Hyde and Cobra,...
Michelinie's run. Loved the "Spidey powerless" story with Cameleon, Scopion , Black cat. and the one with the spiderslayers too.
Mantlo's Octopus/Howl/Kipking war.
and many others... :p

[Master Darque]

First Spidey Slayer story ....where Pete and Flash box eachother in the gym while the Slayer with JJJ's face on the screen is slowly homing in on Parker ! Definitive in the way that it describes a perfectly normal day in the life of your friendly neighborhood Spidey ! He finally gets to shut up the school bully , only to get called foul on for hitting him when he turned his head ....his BOSS is trying to kill him ....all this while just trying to get thru the school day with his identity ...and limbs ...intact !!!!

[Dussan]

One issue . Hell ...one short story .

The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man .

This has it all .... the origin , retold by Spidey himself ...to a young boy who is Spidey's biggest fan ? In Spidey's own words , he recaps what happened to him and why he does what he does , and ultimately .....reveals his identity to a boy he's just met ??? Even when the boy promises he'll never tell and Pete says " I know ... I believe you " yer like , " Yeah Pete ...you numbskull !! " until you see a distraught Spider-Man standing outside the boys room and you read the caption of a newspaper report saying how the reporter hopes Spidey is reading this , because there's a very special fan out there who only has a short time to live ..... that gets me every time . EVERY time . This short story shows us what Peter Parker and Spider-Man is all about . Responsibility and compassion and doing the right thing at all costs ...all the time .

If you didn't love Spidey before this story , how could you not after reading it ?

Good god I REMEMBER that one when I was a kid!

[Master Darque]

LOL ! I guess I was a kid when it came out , too .... about 11 or so ....

[Cody H]

Yeah, if we're going with definitive here, I'll cast in another vote for the Master Planner storyline, specifically Amazing #33, which contains one of the definitive moments in Spidey history IMO.