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Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man (2017) #1-5
Spider-Man by Chip Zdarsky Omnibus
Celebrated writer Chip Zdarsky puts Peter Parker front and center as all of his unmissable SPIDER-MAN stories are collected in one package! Spidey and his ol' pal the Human Torch learn that the Kingpin is still a force to be reckoned with! The webslinger lands right in the middle of the Tinkerer's family feud! Peter's "sister" returns, J. Jonah Jameson makes a shocking discovery, and they all end up in a world without a Spider-Man - where Norman Osborn reigns supreme! Plus, Zdarsky teams with legend Mark Bagley to tell Peter's life story as if he aged in real time! And what if Spidey never took off the symbiote suit? Collecting PETER THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (2017) #1-6 and #297-310, PETER THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL (2018) #1, LIFE STORY #1-6, LIFE STORY ANNUAL #1, SPIDER'S SHADOW #1-5 and material from FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2017 (SECRET EMPIRE).
936 pages, Hardcover
First published December 13, 2023
5 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
873 books854 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 12, 2024
Every single story in here is great, and Zdarsky really knows his Spidey. What's even better is that Life Story is possibly a top ten Spider-Man comic in general, and you don't need to know decades of history to enjoy it. It was also nice getting to see a very human JJJ as well. Definitely recommend
July 12, 2024
Zdarsky is the modern Spider-Man writer. The art is consistently fantastic throughout. Everything about this collection is a slam dunk.
April 5, 2025
Immediately upon finishing this I thought of “Punisher Max.” How that omnibus, though the 6 issue stories were connected, each felt like their own narratives with beginnings middles and ends. So I have to consider this as 3 separate reviews in one.
Part One: “PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN”
Chip “Steve” Zdarsky “Murray” is a writer who, in recent years, has become a fan favorite by a majority, and kind of “eh” to Batman fans due to his recent run (I think people give him too much slight. It’s pretty good, just gets way too caught in events like most DC books do.) However, there was a time where people didn’t enjoy Zdarsky’s work, specifically on Spider-Man.
People get really attached to these characters, especially their main-line stuff (in Marvel, Earth-616), so when stuff isn’t to their liking or is different (for instance, Zdarsky brought back Peter’s sort of but isn’t sister Teresa from “Family Business), they kind of rampage.
Despite writing “Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man,” a main-line, but not THE main book (Amazing Spider-Man), people did get pretty annoyed with the way Parker was depicted; how he spent so much time with J Jonah Jameson, and how he was running around with his sister.
When asked if he’d take on ASM, he said “I quess I shouldn't say "never," but I can't picture the scenario where l'd take that job. It just seems to be a ludicrous amount of work for a readership that has too many specific ideas of what should happen, and get too angry when their expectations aren't met. Maybe I'd get to a place in my life where I could handle it, but it sure isn't right now.”
However, we have several years of hindsight, and across the large swaths of bad or forgettable Spider-Man stories, Zdarsky’s stories about Jonah are regularly used as YouTube content, comments filled with these videos talking about how peak it is. I regularly see people talk about the award winning #310, written and drawn by Zdarsky. And reading it all in an omnibus, I get it.
Zdarsky really understands character work, dialogue, and handling comedic beats along with serious consequences. It’s great! I think that I enjoyed the time travel and JJJ-centric issues more than the Teresa Parker Robots stuff. The art is pretty good, too. I just wish people weren’t so harsh on it. Another stand out for this is also the 2-issue arc where it’s about the Immortal Sandman. It’s pretty tragic.
8/10
Part 2: “SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY”
I’m biased; this was one of the first stories I read when I got Marvel Unlimited. I have reread it 2 times after, so this time reading it (my fourth reading of it) I’m like “damn, this is just great.”
I want it to be longer simply because I love the premise. It plays on the idea of the Sliding Timescale perfectly, and it really shows how the sensibilities and fears of our world reflect in the comics world. The “World Outside Our Window!”
The only gripe, and I’ve dealt with this on every read of it, was the handling of the clone saga. It’s just because the real clone saga is hella confusing. Bagley’s art is awesome here, but I also wish that it was kind of done in the style of that era. Each decade the design and way the marvel style looked changed. It would’ve been fun to see that, but I understand how much more of an undertaking this book would then be.
Would love to reread this again and again. I wish Marvel would do more of these besides this one and Fantastic Four (which I’ve never read!)
9.5/10
Part 3: “SPIDER’S SHADOW”
“What if?”
That series was pretty great. I love the single issue nature of a lot of them. In recent times, we’ve had these what if books become extended, 4-6 issue series, further examining the shift, or taking a specific character (like Galactus or Miles Morales) and doing stories based off of them. In this, we focus on Peter sticking with the Symbiote, and eventually becoming a murderer as the Symbiote feeds off his anger and pain, eventually choosing to take over the world. Peter must free himself from the Symbiote’s grasp and then save the Avengers and others from this.
It’s a pretty fun examination of the question, but what I really liked from this is the art. It was really stylized, but I really really liked the look. I especially liked Bearded Peter. It’s kind of the one people forget about but it’s pretty solid for the five issues it was.
9/10
As a whole, I give the book 5 stars. The order is good and it was nice to read. I recommend this collection and I’m happy to have it on my shelf.
Part One: “PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN”
Chip “Steve” Zdarsky “Murray” is a writer who, in recent years, has become a fan favorite by a majority, and kind of “eh” to Batman fans due to his recent run (I think people give him too much slight. It’s pretty good, just gets way too caught in events like most DC books do.) However, there was a time where people didn’t enjoy Zdarsky’s work, specifically on Spider-Man.
People get really attached to these characters, especially their main-line stuff (in Marvel, Earth-616), so when stuff isn’t to their liking or is different (for instance, Zdarsky brought back Peter’s sort of but isn’t sister Teresa from “Family Business), they kind of rampage.
Despite writing “Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man,” a main-line, but not THE main book (Amazing Spider-Man), people did get pretty annoyed with the way Parker was depicted; how he spent so much time with J Jonah Jameson, and how he was running around with his sister.
When asked if he’d take on ASM, he said “I quess I shouldn't say "never," but I can't picture the scenario where l'd take that job. It just seems to be a ludicrous amount of work for a readership that has too many specific ideas of what should happen, and get too angry when their expectations aren't met. Maybe I'd get to a place in my life where I could handle it, but it sure isn't right now.”
However, we have several years of hindsight, and across the large swaths of bad or forgettable Spider-Man stories, Zdarsky’s stories about Jonah are regularly used as YouTube content, comments filled with these videos talking about how peak it is. I regularly see people talk about the award winning #310, written and drawn by Zdarsky. And reading it all in an omnibus, I get it.
Zdarsky really understands character work, dialogue, and handling comedic beats along with serious consequences. It’s great! I think that I enjoyed the time travel and JJJ-centric issues more than the Teresa Parker Robots stuff. The art is pretty good, too. I just wish people weren’t so harsh on it. Another stand out for this is also the 2-issue arc where it’s about the Immortal Sandman. It’s pretty tragic.
8/10
Part 2: “SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY”
I’m biased; this was one of the first stories I read when I got Marvel Unlimited. I have reread it 2 times after, so this time reading it (my fourth reading of it) I’m like “damn, this is just great.”
I want it to be longer simply because I love the premise. It plays on the idea of the Sliding Timescale perfectly, and it really shows how the sensibilities and fears of our world reflect in the comics world. The “World Outside Our Window!”
The only gripe, and I’ve dealt with this on every read of it, was the handling of the clone saga. It’s just because the real clone saga is hella confusing. Bagley’s art is awesome here, but I also wish that it was kind of done in the style of that era. Each decade the design and way the marvel style looked changed. It would’ve been fun to see that, but I understand how much more of an undertaking this book would then be.
Would love to reread this again and again. I wish Marvel would do more of these besides this one and Fantastic Four (which I’ve never read!)
9.5/10
Part 3: “SPIDER’S SHADOW”
“What if?”
That series was pretty great. I love the single issue nature of a lot of them. In recent times, we’ve had these what if books become extended, 4-6 issue series, further examining the shift, or taking a specific character (like Galactus or Miles Morales) and doing stories based off of them. In this, we focus on Peter sticking with the Symbiote, and eventually becoming a murderer as the Symbiote feeds off his anger and pain, eventually choosing to take over the world. Peter must free himself from the Symbiote’s grasp and then save the Avengers and others from this.
It’s a pretty fun examination of the question, but what I really liked from this is the art. It was really stylized, but I really really liked the look. I especially liked Bearded Peter. It’s kind of the one people forget about but it’s pretty solid for the five issues it was.
9/10
As a whole, I give the book 5 stars. The order is good and it was nice to read. I recommend this collection and I’m happy to have it on my shelf.
August 11, 2024
During the increasingly patchy Dan Slott Worldwide run, Zdarsky came out with the consistently excellent Spectacular series, cutting right to the core of what makes Spider-Man and Peter great. Fun, small and large at the same time, great work on the relationships and supporting case, especially evolving JJJ as a character in his relationship with PP/SM (this issue and the subsequent stories were just excellent and felt natural). Theresa is an interesting addition and for some reason doesn't raise my hackles in the way other 'previously unknown' retconned characters can.
As well as the main run, we also get the wonderful Life Story. This immediately went to one of my top Spider-Man stories of all time - the kind of story you can give to the uninitiated to sample Spider-Man, while still appealing to life long fans. It expertly portrays the core aspects of the PP/SM character, weaves in sentinel moments from the Spidey mythos, reframes massive events and relationships, and demonstrates conclusively that it's ok to evolve characters and relationships - MJ and Pete getting married can lead to interesting stories, Aunt May dying is not the end of the world, even for Pete (I still don't know why they are so afraid of killing her - she's served honourably, let her die peacefully!).
Spider's Shadow suffers in comparison. It's not bad at all, just following Life Story, is a step down.
So I recommend this wholeheartedly - great storytelling, engaging and easy to pick up even if out the main continuity look, the art is great, it has wonderful Spidey and Pete moments and is genuinely a great read. If only Chip would take on Amazing.
As well as the main run, we also get the wonderful Life Story. This immediately went to one of my top Spider-Man stories of all time - the kind of story you can give to the uninitiated to sample Spider-Man, while still appealing to life long fans. It expertly portrays the core aspects of the PP/SM character, weaves in sentinel moments from the Spidey mythos, reframes massive events and relationships, and demonstrates conclusively that it's ok to evolve characters and relationships - MJ and Pete getting married can lead to interesting stories, Aunt May dying is not the end of the world, even for Pete (I still don't know why they are so afraid of killing her - she's served honourably, let her die peacefully!).
Spider's Shadow suffers in comparison. It's not bad at all, just following Life Story, is a step down.
So I recommend this wholeheartedly - great storytelling, engaging and easy to pick up even if out the main continuity look, the art is great, it has wonderful Spidey and Pete moments and is genuinely a great read. If only Chip would take on Amazing.
July 26, 2025
Absolutely incredible.
This run blew me away with how deeply it explored Peter Parker — not just the superhero, but the person behind the mask. Zdarsky gets Spider-Man on a level that few writers do: the guilt, the responsibility, the weight of every choice Peter has ever made… it’s all here, and it hurts in the best way.
What I loved most was how raw and emotional this felt. Peter isn’t just reacting to villains or saving the day — he’s struggling, reflecting, processing. The way Zdarsky writes his internal world feels real. Honest. Like a man who’s been through hell but still chooses to stand up every single time.
There are moments in this book that genuinely stayed with me. Heartbreaking scenes, beautiful introspections, tough questions with no easy answers. Whether it’s his past with MJ, his regrets about Uncle Ben, or the cost of being Spider-Man, it all lands with emotional weight.
The art throughout is consistently strong, matching the tone perfectly — whether in quieter moments of reflection or intense action sequences.
This omnibus reminded me why I love Spider-Man. Not because he wins — but because of how much he’s willing to lose for the sake of others.
It’s powerful, personal, and one of the most emotionally resonant Spider-Man stories I’ve ever read.
A must-read for anyone who truly cares about Peter Parker.
This run blew me away with how deeply it explored Peter Parker — not just the superhero, but the person behind the mask. Zdarsky gets Spider-Man on a level that few writers do: the guilt, the responsibility, the weight of every choice Peter has ever made… it’s all here, and it hurts in the best way.
What I loved most was how raw and emotional this felt. Peter isn’t just reacting to villains or saving the day — he’s struggling, reflecting, processing. The way Zdarsky writes his internal world feels real. Honest. Like a man who’s been through hell but still chooses to stand up every single time.
There are moments in this book that genuinely stayed with me. Heartbreaking scenes, beautiful introspections, tough questions with no easy answers. Whether it’s his past with MJ, his regrets about Uncle Ben, or the cost of being Spider-Man, it all lands with emotional weight.
The art throughout is consistently strong, matching the tone perfectly — whether in quieter moments of reflection or intense action sequences.
This omnibus reminded me why I love Spider-Man. Not because he wins — but because of how much he’s willing to lose for the sake of others.
It’s powerful, personal, and one of the most emotionally resonant Spider-Man stories I’ve ever read.
A must-read for anyone who truly cares about Peter Parker.
July 3, 2024
truly life affirming. zdarsky assumes the reader knows the general spider-man mythos and uses that established knowledge to allow the narrative and characters to truly embody their best qualities. the expository world-building is minimized so that the essence of spider-man can shine through. and that essence is one of endurance, trust, and compassion. on the surface, simple qualities, but qualities than we must constantly exercise. humanity is not an instant act, but a continuous practice. SPIDEY4EVER
May 6, 2025
Va de menos a más. Una run en la que vemos una historia de Spiderman con misterios, conspiraciones, personajes que vuelven y muchas más sorpresas. Lo principal y lo mejor es que se nota que Chip ama al personaje y lo demuestra en cada viñeta del cómic, entendiéndole a él y a sus motivaciones.
Es prácticamente una historia de seguido excepto lo último del hombre de arena (flojo para mi gusto) y esa última historia ganadora del Eisner... Nunca hay que dejar de intentarlo
Es prácticamente una historia de seguido excepto lo último del hombre de arena (flojo para mi gusto) y esa última historia ganadora del Eisner... Nunca hay que dejar de intentarlo
Read
October 8, 2024I love Spidey as a character, but rarely read his books. I’ve seldom found him well written in his own books.
This is maybe my favorite Spider-Man material now. It captures the humor and the spirit. He’s both a sad sack and the most noble soul to walk the earth. He can go from street-level to multiversal. Zdarsky just gets it, and I wish he’d gotten a longer run.
This is maybe my favorite Spider-Man material now. It captures the humor and the spirit. He’s both a sad sack and the most noble soul to walk the earth. He can go from street-level to multiversal. Zdarsky just gets it, and I wish he’d gotten a longer run.
January 19, 2025
A great collection of Spider-Man stories! It's incredibly fun and it's easy to just jump in and enjoy. High energy and not too serious in a good way. Clearly Zdarsky understands the character and uses him well. All three major storylines are fun reads. Definitely recommend.
April 1, 2025
A mix bag but only because spider-man since the clone saga and on has been mixed in quality. The team here make do with what they have but in an emotional way. Definitely a book for veteran or knowledgeable spider fans. Overall a book with good payoffs
September 6, 2024
Spider-Man is Peter Parker‽
Read
April 16, 2025The blurb on the cover says if you love Spider-Man read this book but I would go so far as to say if you like Spider-Man read this book.
May 15, 2025
Mauvais début excellent reste
July 2, 2025
Tamamen spectecular spiderman arcını çok beğendiğimden veriyorum puanı. Life story kötü, spiders shadow daha kötü. Ama spectecuları baya beğendim umarım bi gün ana seriyi de yazarsın chip
December 21, 2025
life story would be 5 stars. rest is a solid 3
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews