The Amazing Spider-Man: Secret Origins

Amazing Adult Fantasy (1961) #15

by Stan Lee, Paul Jenkins, Steve Ditko (Illustrator)

Just in time for the upcoming cinematic blockbuster "The Amazing Spider-Man" comes this volume spotlighting the Web-Head's colorful cast of characters, and introducing the film's principal players! Swing along with Spidey as he gains new and frightening powers, tangles with the likes of the Lizard, Electro, and Captain George Stacey - not to mention perennial thorn-in-the-side Flash Thompson - and honors the memory of his beloved Uncle Ben! COLLECTING: Amazing Fantasy (1962) 15; Amazing Spider -Man (1963) 6, 8 (A story ), 82, 90; Spectacular Spider -Man (2003) 27

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Marvel, Spider Man

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2012

About the author

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the world of The Amazing Spider-Man, sbowcasing the prominent characters of the film. This is a must have companion of the original 60's source material. You get into the early days of Peter Parker and see a good example of why he's such an inconic character that has endured. Features the incredibly great artwork of Steve Ditko and John Romita.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of Spider-Man issues from the 1960s, 1970s, and 2000s. It contains Amazing Fantasy #15 (the first comic containing Spider-Man), Amazing Spider-Man #6, 8, 82, and 90, and Spectacular Spider-Man #27. The origin story is a classic (Amazing Fantasy #15), the other early ones are OK, but the last wasn't worth reading (Spectacular Spider-Man #27). Spidey fights with The Lizard, Electro, and Doc Ock. The last several pages of the book contain a synopsis of Spider-Man's life from his 1962 origin to 2012.

Notes
You see Captain Stacy's death, when he dove to save a boy from stones falling from a fight between Spidey and Doc Ock.

A memory of Uncle Ben tells Peter, "You kill yourself with guilt over me, Gwen, her father … all of the people in this city you think you should have saved. You die every day for your mom and dad. You can't forgive yourself for what happened to Flash. You can't accept that you loved Gwen and now you love Mary Jane. But you have to, Peter … you just have to. Go. Live. Be with the people you love."

Betty Brant was Peter's first love.

Peter met Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy at Empire State University.

After several attempts, Aunt May finally succeeded in introducing Mary Jane Watson to Peter.

"Though Peter sometimes dated Mary Jane, he soon fell for the more serious-minded Gwen."

Peter revealed his identity to the Black Cat, who was horrified and loved only Spider-Man.

Before their marriage, Mary Jane revealed that she had long known Peter's secret identity.

Aunt May discovered Peter's identity after he battled Morlun.

The "House of M" was a reality in which mutants ruled, which the Scarlet Witch transformed our reality into when she had a nervous breakdown.

[tony dillard jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing assortment of Spider-Man tales from Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and John Romita! The first appearance of Spidey, The Lizard, Flash Thompson! The revenge of Electro. The death of Captain Stacy. Plus a modern-day fantasy in which Peter visits the grave of Uncle Ben on a frosty Christmas day.



This collection was released to correspond with 2012's Amazing Spider-Man film. I remember Electro being in the second film but not in the first. So, wasn't it a massive spoiler having that villain appear in this book?



The art and story work is second to none. While many consider Ditko the original master, I think I'm more partial to Romita's time on the wall-crawler. Arguably, Peter Parker is the biggest sad sack in the Marvel Universe. But Stan Lee was able to make the super hero equivalent of Eeyore a compelling, exciting and fun character.



These stories have been reprinted at least a dozen times. I've always said that if my wife wasn't so terrified by spiders, Spidey would be my all-time favorite super-hero hands down. That being the case, I would own this issues in some collected treasury. I've worked out a compromise for certain Spider-Man titles with my wife. Thus I don't have those premium collections. So, finding this book for a super deal at Ollie's was a great way for me to enjoy some classics that are old hat for true fans of Peter Parker's alter-ego!

[Matthew Ledrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLLECTING: Amazing Fantasy (1962) 15: 5 stars
Amazing Spider -Man (1963) 6: 5 stars
Amazing Spider -Man (1963) 8 (A story ): 5 stars
Amazing Spider -Man (1963) 82: 5 stars
Amazing Spider -Man (1963) 90: 5 stars
Spectacular Spider -Man (2003) 27: 5 stars

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This old school stuff cracks me up!! I love it! However I could have done without the last story. I didn't even finish it.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a comic book reader, I tried .

[Miguel Abuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for new fans to get in to Spider-Man.