Best Spider-Man Comics to Start With
Where to start with Spider-Man comics — the best standalone Spidey stories in reading order, plus the omnibus that started it all.
4 picks, in orderRead them in this order
- 1Spider-Man: Kraven's Last HuntStart here. Kraven's Last Hunt is the best Spider-Man story ever written, it's self-contained, and it's genuinely unsettling.Buy
- 2
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1The origin material — the original Lee/Ditko run in one omnibus. Read second, when you want to see where all of it came from.Buy - 3
DeadpoolThe easiest modern entry point: a clean reboot of the origin with no sixty years of baggage attached.Buy - 4
Marvel's Spider-Man RemasteredNot a comic, but the closest anyone has come to making you feel like Spider-Man. Worth it after the books.Buy
Why this order
Spider-Man has more versions in print than any other hero, which is exactly why new readers bounce off him. You do not have to pick a universe or a run. You pick one perfect standalone story, and then decide how deep you want to go.
This order starts with the story every Spider-Man fan quotes, then goes back to the original Lee/Ditko material, then out to the modern reboot that most people find easiest to read.
Nothing here requires you to know continuity, and none of it is spoiled by the films.
See the full The Spider-Man PackEvery pick
Common questions
What is the best Spider-Man comic to start with?
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Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt. It is a complete story in one volume, needs no setup, and is the pick most long-time readers name first.
Do I need to read Spider-Man comics in order?
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No. Start with a standalone classic, then choose between the original omnibus for the classic era or Ultimate Spider-Man for the modern reboot.
Is Ultimate Spider-Man good for beginners?
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Yes — it restarts the origin from scratch in a self-contained universe, so it is the least intimidating way in if omnibuses feel like too much.
How much do Spider-Man comics cost?
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Standalone collections are usually $15–25. Omnibus hardcovers run much higher but hold hundreds of issues, so they are better value per page.
Where should I buy Spider-Man comics?
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Every pick here links to its Amazon listing so you can compare paperback and hardcover editions in one place.
What should I read after these?
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The Spider-Man pack on this site continues into the games, the films and the collectible figures.