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The Complete Spider-Man Strips #1
Spider-Man Newspaper Strips 1
Collecting John Romita Sr., and Stan Lee's fantastic run of Spider-Man daily newspaper strips from 1977-1981, this book pits the webbed wonder against a whole host of foes from a classic era.
- GenresComicsSuperheroes
333 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2014
About the author
Stan Lee
7,595 books2,405 followersStan 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2021
My parents didn't let me read comics as a kid, but I spent my summers in a cabin that had a beaten up paperback with the first two story arcs from this collection tucked away in the loft. I read and re-read this contraband until I had it memorized (seriously, my cousin would quiz me).
The Spiderman from the newspaper strips is a little snarkier, which is just the way I like him. Peter Parker is a little angrier, which doesn't work as well.
Because this collection comes from daily strips there's a lot of backing up and retelling and in this massive collection that becomes repetitive enough that it's hard to read straight through.
In spite of its flaws the nostalgia hits hard for me.
The Spiderman from the newspaper strips is a little snarkier, which is just the way I like him. Peter Parker is a little angrier, which doesn't work as well.
Because this collection comes from daily strips there's a lot of backing up and retelling and in this massive collection that becomes repetitive enough that it's hard to read straight through.
In spite of its flaws the nostalgia hits hard for me.
December 2, 2020
What's not to like? Spider-Man, every day!
Reading newspaper comics is how I came to love heroes like Flash Gordon and The Phantom, but reading Spider-Man every day was a bonus, the proverbial cherry on top of my comic book sundae.
Reading newspaper comics is how I came to love heroes like Flash Gordon and The Phantom, but reading Spider-Man every day was a bonus, the proverbial cherry on top of my comic book sundae.
January 29, 2025
This is an interesting collection. I didn't realize that the comic strips didn't track the comic books. This Spider-Man is an alternative version. The origin story is slightly different, and the ways in which he meets the super-villains that we already know are different. The artwork is great, and it's a fun, easy read.
June 19, 2023
Im afraid from this newspaper strip collection,but im disappointment in positive side. Its a remarcable paperback collection,it's a very good one. I recommend !
October 22, 2023
This strip is set in separate continuity from the main comics, although the characterizations ring true while some scenarios are altered for the late 1970s instead of the 1960s. Cultural reference points of the day abound (Star Wars, John Travolta, Disco, etc.), adding to the fun factor. Eventually comic book continuity is thrown out the window entirely.
Things start out with this playing out like a straight up superhero strip, with Spider-Man battling Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, a new villain, the Rattler, and the Kingpin before breaking for a retelling of Spider-Man's origin. From there the continuity relating to the comic is completely disregarded with Kraven The Hunter and Mysterio. Stan Lee begins inserting more and more of Peter Parker's personal life into the strip, as the soap opera element works well for a daily strip. This leads us into a “ripped from today's headlines!” type tale where Peter falls in love with the daughter of a terrorist. Another real world flavored strip deals with some local street hoods. Then Spider-Man has to deal with a blackmailer who discovers his secret identity. There are lots of great moments here, as Lee's writing is at it's melodramatic best while Romita's artwork is as rock solid as ever. A great pair of creators who, for my money, have done work that few have matched.
Things start out with this playing out like a straight up superhero strip, with Spider-Man battling Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, a new villain, the Rattler, and the Kingpin before breaking for a retelling of Spider-Man's origin. From there the continuity relating to the comic is completely disregarded with Kraven The Hunter and Mysterio. Stan Lee begins inserting more and more of Peter Parker's personal life into the strip, as the soap opera element works well for a daily strip. This leads us into a “ripped from today's headlines!” type tale where Peter falls in love with the daughter of a terrorist. Another real world flavored strip deals with some local street hoods. Then Spider-Man has to deal with a blackmailer who discovers his secret identity. There are lots of great moments here, as Lee's writing is at it's melodramatic best while Romita's artwork is as rock solid as ever. A great pair of creators who, for my money, have done work that few have matched.
January 8, 2025
I think the stories are hampered by the strip format, necessitating lots of mini-recaps and no opportunity to pace things more variably (although I think Stan Lee adapts very well, overall), but I love the Romita artwork so much (especially his Spidey, and extra especially his women), that it still rates four stars. This is like having a whole new run of classic Amazing Spider-Man circa 1970-72.
September 9, 2025
Precioso
October 26, 2012
This was a fun volume containing the first volume of Spider-man newspaper strips. Stan Lee takes care of the scripting after taking a six-year break from the character in the comic books. This first collection covers the first couple years of the script.
The stories themselves are great with Spider-man tangling with Dr. Doom, Dr. Octopus, the Kingpin, and Kraven: The Hunter. In addition, the comic strip introduces a unique villain in the Rattler.
These are a blast of 1970s Spider-man. They can be somewhat dated but I prefer to look at them as retro with reference to 1970s pop culture and one strip series that has Peter working at a disco for Norman Osborne and Flash Thompson.
Spider-man's lovel life is put on hold as he and Mary Jane have a tiff and then Mary Jane goes off to Florida with Kraven the Hunter. Spider-man himself navigates a moral dilemma as he needs to provide some help to his ailing aunt May and in a moment of weakness allies himself with the Kingpin's mayoral campaign, but breaks off when he finds Kingpin breaking his word and hurting people.
In addition to the tremendous vintage comic strips, the book includes interviews with the great Stan Lee and John Romita on the development of the strip. On the written page, Stan Lee comes off as very humble saying that he doesn't take ownership of the Spider-man stories as he can't keep up with all the books and that when he does read a story, he always has the thought of, "Gee, that's a great story, I wish I'd thought of that." I've had thoughts quite a bit less charitable. :)
The only thing that's a bit of a challenge to get used to is three-to-a page format of the strips which is a minor issue in such a great collection of Spider-man by Stan Lee. I can't wait for Volume 2 to arrive via Interlibary loan.
The stories themselves are great with Spider-man tangling with Dr. Doom, Dr. Octopus, the Kingpin, and Kraven: The Hunter. In addition, the comic strip introduces a unique villain in the Rattler.
These are a blast of 1970s Spider-man. They can be somewhat dated but I prefer to look at them as retro with reference to 1970s pop culture and one strip series that has Peter working at a disco for Norman Osborne and Flash Thompson.
Spider-man's lovel life is put on hold as he and Mary Jane have a tiff and then Mary Jane goes off to Florida with Kraven the Hunter. Spider-man himself navigates a moral dilemma as he needs to provide some help to his ailing aunt May and in a moment of weakness allies himself with the Kingpin's mayoral campaign, but breaks off when he finds Kingpin breaking his word and hurting people.
In addition to the tremendous vintage comic strips, the book includes interviews with the great Stan Lee and John Romita on the development of the strip. On the written page, Stan Lee comes off as very humble saying that he doesn't take ownership of the Spider-man stories as he can't keep up with all the books and that when he does read a story, he always has the thought of, "Gee, that's a great story, I wish I'd thought of that." I've had thoughts quite a bit less charitable. :)
The only thing that's a bit of a challenge to get used to is three-to-a page format of the strips which is a minor issue in such a great collection of Spider-man by Stan Lee. I can't wait for Volume 2 to arrive via Interlibary loan.
October 16, 2014
This was a treat bringing back childhood memories. My Aunt used to cut out the various strips and mail them to me every week or two. It's nice seeing them all together. Jazzy John's art is consistently classic, and you get that distinctive Stan (the Man) Lee flare. Storylines with Spidey battling Dr. Doom (2x), Doc Ock, Rattler, Kraven, Kingpin, Mysterio, and others.
Want to Read
September 10, 2011Me lo compré porque estaba relativamente barato y para ver cómo cuernos hacían para contar coherentemente una historia de a tres viñetas...
November 23, 2016
Oddly inferior to the later paperback printing (which includes the Sundays in color, which this totally sideways, B&W hardcover version does not)
February 11, 2021
Not much of a supervillain story here but it's a good entertaining read especially if you're into Spidey early days. The art is also good and dialogue can be corny at times
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews