What are the best and most accessible Spider-Man TPBs?

[Mister Mets]

This is inspired by the "Batman for Beginners" poll at the CBR's Batman section, from which I am stealing shamelessly.

One of the best parts of the current comics era is that there's so much good material readily available in the various trade paperbacks. However, it can get overwhelming for new readers. So I'm looking for a consensus regarding the best material, a sort of "beginner set of books we can all agree on." As most of us haven't read every Spider-Man comic, I'm sure we'll also find some stuff to like.

When coming up with recommendations, consider accessibility, impact and ability to convert Spider-Man noobs. If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to post those here or send me a private message. It's an idea for the entire forum.

Wikipedia has a list of the published Spider-Man comics, so I recommend that one at the moment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Spider-Man_comics
http://tplist.millarworld.net/spiderman.html

Also feel free to let us know when certain collections aren't included in either list. Or if there's a better list online somewhere.

[Mister Mets]

Don't submit recommendations for stuff that's been out of print for a long time (The Origin of the Hobgoblin, Spider-Man VS Green Goblin, the 1990s Very Best of Spider-Man.) That could be another topic.

The stories don't have to be in the 616 Universe, so stuff like Reign, Spider-Girl and the Ultimate comics are eligible.

As much of the material is available in multiple formats in most circumstances, I'll ask that you include the smallest and cheapest versions, just to make decisions on what to include more difficult. The Essential volumes and Marvel Masterworks products are less complimentary, so feel free to recommend either or both of those. But I'll still ask you to choose specific volumes.

The two exceptions are Mark Millar's Marvel Knights Spider-Man run (as the oversized hardcover is a complete storyline) and the Ultimate Collections of JMS's Amazing Spider-Man run (as those are replacing the earlier, smaller and increasingly out of print collections.)

[Scott Taylor]

I have to caviat this by saying that there is no easy answer. Marvel is a beast at putting out TPBs for their more recent sets of comics, but not great at their older stuff. Marvel Essentials is ok, just B&W which makes it sort of boring. I'd also love to be able to say something like "Spider-Man: Death of Jean DeWolfe" but I am pretty sure its long out of print.

3 points:

Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 (AF #15; ASM #1-10)

2 points each

Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 (ASM #11-20)
Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 (ASM #21-30)
Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 (ASM #31-40)
Death of the Stacys

1 point each

Spider-Man: Return of the Goblin
Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt
Spider-Man: Birth of Venom
Spider-Man: New Ways to Die
JMS Ultimate Collection Vol. 2

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

Too many of them are out of print, unfortunately.

The Death of Jeann DeWolfe
Death of the Stacys
Kraven's Last Hunt
All the Gauntlet HC's

[coconutphone]

the recently released Masterworks Vol. 1-3
JMS Ultimate Collections 1-3
Death of the Staceys
Kraven's Last Hunt

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

JMS Ultimate Collections 1-3

Maybe the first two, but the third one was terrible. No fan should have to start with Sins Past.

[coconutphone]

Maybe the first two, but the third one was terrible. No fan should have to start with Sins Past.

That's fine and your opinion. Besides no one's saying to start with vol. 3. That'd be silly.

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

That's fine and your opinion. Besides no one's saying to start with vol. 3. That'd be silly.

But this is for introducing new fans right? That was my point. I don't think it's one of the greatest stories to give to someone new. And are we not allowed to comment on each others choices? We were able to do that in the Bat-forum.

[Mister Mets]

My nominations.

#1 (3 points) Marvel Masterworks- Amazing Spider-Man Volume 4
Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #31-40

Honorable Mentions (2 points each)
Kraven's Last Hunt
Marvel Knights Spider-Man Oversized hardcover
Collecting Marvel Knights Spider-Man #1-12
Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 2: Learning Curve
Collecting Ultimate Spider-Man #8-13
Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 17: The Clone Saga
Collecting Ultimate Spider-Man #97-105

The rest of the top ten (1 point each)
Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man Volume 6
Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #51-61, Annual 4
Amazing Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys
Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #88-92, 121-122
Spider-Man/ Human Torch: I'm With Stupid
Spider-Man: Torment
Spider-Man: The Gauntlet Book 4- The Juggernaut
Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #229-230, 627-629

I considered including the Birth of Venom and Marvel Masterworks 1-3 and Volumes 5 and 7.

[Mister Mets]

But this is for introducing new fans right? That was my point. I don't think it's one of the greatest stories to give to someone new. And are we not allowed to comment on each others choices? We were able to do that in the Bat-forum.

We're allowed to comment on the stories.

And coconutphone's certainly allowed to think JMS Collection Volume 3 should be one of the ten first Spider-Man trades for a new fan. Say what you will about Sins Past, it's pretty damn accessible for new readers.

[Jakra64]

I would say the Essentials are the best way to go. If it has to be color, the paperback Masterworks, Death of the Stacey's, and the Staczynski ultimate collections. The Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Volume 1 would probably be my next choice after that.

[coconutphone]

But this is for introducing new fans right? That was my point. I don't think it's one of the greatest stories to give to someone new. And are we not allowed to comment on each others choices? We were able to do that in the Bat-forum.

Like I said before. I'm not saying Vol 3 should be the 1st book you should read. I listed vol 1-3. Eventually when they're out I'll suggest reading all 5. I think as a whole it's a fantastic run and if you're a new reader it's very accesible to start from volume ONE and read straight through.

[coconutphone]

I'd just put them in chronological order.

Masterworks Vol. 1-3
Death of the Staceys
Kraven's Last Hunt
JMS Ultimate Collections 1-3

[matthewaos]

Not in irder yet, but:

Kraven's last hunt
Death of the Stacys
Marvel Knights Spider-Man Oversized hardcover
Marvel Masterworks- Amazing Spider-Man Volume 4
Marvel Masterworks- Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1
Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 1
Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 2
Spider-Man: The Gauntlet Book 4 - The Juggernaut
Birth of Venom
Amazing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Vol. 1

As I said, they are not in order, I have to think about this.

And as for BND vol 1, while I don't like the new direction, I think it's important for a new reader.

[RDMacQ]

Kraven's Last Hunt.
Ultimate Spider-Man vol.1
Untold Tales of Spider-Man.
The Very Best of Spider-Man.