Spider-Man: Life Story #1: The '60s

Spider-Man: Life Story

by Chip Zdarsky, Mark Bagley (Artist)

In 1962, in AMAZING FANTASY #15, 15-year-old Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became the Amazing Spider-Man! Fifty-seven years have passed in the real world since that event — so what would have happened if the same amount of time passed for Peter as well? A special high-end limited series that’s a part of the celebration of Marvel’s 80th anniversary, LIFE STORY combines the talents of Chip Zdarsky (SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, MARVEL 2-IN-ONE) and Mark Bagley (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN) to tell the entire history of Spider-Man from beginning to end, set against the key events of the decades through which he lived! In this first oversized issue, when Flash Thompson is drafted to serve during the Vietnam War, Spidey must weigh the question of where his responsibility truly lies!

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Spider Man, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Chip 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.

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was pleasantly better than I expected.

I thought each issue would be a one-shot story telling a story from the decade (60s, 70s etc)

But it’s not.

It looks to be more of an ongoing serial were we will see Peter age throughout the decades. And while they’re are similarities to original stuff, Zdarsky and Bagley look to be weaving a new story.

Can’t say too much more without spoiling it. It’s kind of like a ‘What if?’ or a Peter from another Universe. Seems promising.

[Siona Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good first issue! I thought this would be more like the X-Men Grand Design series, and it is in some ways, but I also like the differences too. Can’t wait for the next issue!

[Petr Nakasharal Fabián · Rating 3 out of 5]

Není to blbý, art je taky fajn ale moc nemusím tyhle zkratkovitý stories. Nerozumím tomu pro koho to je. Recap pro lidi co znaj spidermena? To mi přijde zbytečný. Nebo naopak pro lidi co doteď nedrželi comics v ruce? Těm by tohle přišlo dostatečný? Já nevím no. Působí to na mě jako takový to “v minulém díle jste viděli” a následuje sestřih naprostýho minima aby to ještě dávalo smysl.
Přečtu si i zbytek ale s klidem si počkám do října na sebranou knížku.

[Simeon Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. This is it. This is the Spider-man story I have been waiting for since I started writing current. In one issue, this comic perfectly gets all the character dynamics, recontextualizes them in the proper way they can now be with historical hindsight and sets up a really interesting story some great dilemmas for Spidy to deal with. The art is also fantastic in how it perfectly minics the somewhat dopey but dynamic kind of art I think of when I think of Spider-man. There's still a ways to go but I think this has a real chance of becoming a instant classic.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me wanna go back and re-read Spidey from the 60s.. so... yeah!

[Margaret $o3y · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can sense this is the beginning of something... Spectacular!

Chip Zdarsky does it again! With artist Mark Bagley he begins an ambitious new project where else's favorite webhead ages in real time, decade-by-decade! It's a shame this is only going to be a six issue miniseries, because this premise could provide enough material for a year long twelve issue maxiseries!

[Matthew Ledrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a huge fan of the compressed style. Feel like each decade could have used a miniseries each on their own. Things move too quickly. That last panel though? Worth it. :)

[A M H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This is pretty decent. It's also a good concept. Time in the comics actually matching with time of real world events sounds interesting, both from a character progression stand point and from a historical one. Very cool idea.

[Kaylee Frank]

second superhero comic book i’ve read. like this one better but don’t know why it’s set in the 60s. classic spider-man story but with the vietnam war… never gets old

[Esme 🦢 · Rating 2 out of 5]

sinceramente necesito unas mejores historias de spiderman

[valeria (๑•᎑•๑) · Rating 3 out of 5]

se ve prometedor !!!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Man great start!! The vibe between all the characters was great and the whole scenario with Norman was wild!! Plus the twist at the end!! Bring on the next issue!!

[Roy_jun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book neatly showcases the gamut of emotions our hero has to go thru, especially when he questions his motivation for his own actions. The story shines not only because our hero's dilemma occurs in the threat of the Vietnam War, but also because some events occur that further complicates Peter Parker's decision making capabilities. All these plus his growing realization that his every action would to unpleasant repercussions for his loved ones make this section an interesting peak into the life of our hero.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I was reading I realized I had read this before. I never marked my initial read though. I really like the concept but the execution left me wanting more. Maybe it was too fast paced, a decade an issue. I like how the popular beats in Spider-man's life are replayed and tweaked slightly for this look back at his life. From Vietnam, to Marvel's Civil War, to Spidey's Clone days and even Superior Spider-man.

[Héctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but slow start, hope it gets more exciting.

It's just your average spidey story.

Nothing out of the ordinary except for a Peter's stance on the Vietnam War; which is also a predictable one.
The drawings are nice but nothing to highlight.
I see potential on the series though, so I'll just keep reading...

[Marisa Carpico · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fascinating context to place these characters in. I suppose you could just read the comics from the time, but hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to that particular moment in history. To that point, I feel it’s telling that the big emotional punch here doesn’t come through the Parker character.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm using this one issue to represent the entire series because I couldn't be bothered to log all six. I suppose it's the mark of a good series when your biggest complaint is that you wish it had been twice as long. One issue per decade just wasn't enough.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good. Honestly...? Not as good as I expected, though. I thought Life Story would have a great chance to do its own thing. It's kinda just a summary of Spider-Man's history at a very fast-pace.

[Ben White · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5] Liked this well enough. The Vietnam stuff is interesting, and Spidey being Spidey and his life just being a mess is always a plus, I feel we've kinda lost that recently, especially with the movies. This is refreshing and interesting, I'm excited to see where it goes!

[Ryan Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This concept is amazing and Mark Bagley's art on Spidey feels like a warm hug. This first issue is fine, but the potential is there to be great.

[RG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was alot better than I was expecting. It felt more raw and emotional than more recent issues.

[Mily Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool take, I'm not super convinced, but definitely worth reading if you've followed spidey for a long time

[Valerie Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Interesting take on the infamous Spidey.

[Carmel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh

[Marcelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divertida e interessante releitura da era sessentista do aracnídeo.
Destaque para o destino do Cap.América, neste volume.
Achei bem interessante.

[OinkFish Pigs · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10

[Andy Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

the little moment with cap here gives me a great feeling about zdarsky’s upcoming cap run…

[Shreshth Mukund · Rating 4 out of 5]

that last page with cap defending the Vietnamese girls from the American soldiers was so cold 🥶🥶🙏🙏🔥🔥🔥

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely read more of this. I'll keep an eye out when I go to comic shops!

[César · Rating 4 out of 5]

cap duro