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Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1-14
UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 1
Peter Parker’s earliest days as the Amazing Spider-Man! Join acclaimed tale-spinner Kurt Busiek, the legendary scribe of MARVELS, as he delves into the past once more to weave an intricate web of “lost” stories! First, Peter must come to terms with his Uncle Ben’s death — and learn how best to honor his memory — as he takes his first fledgling steps as a crimefighter! Then, swing along with Spidey for a series of untold gems as the newly minted Spider-Man encounters the Human Torch, Doctor Octopus, the Vulture, Sandman and more classic characters — along with new friends and foes, including Batwing, Bluebird and the Scorcher — on his way to becoming Marvel’s premier super hero! But what are the shocking secrets of Peter’s first love, Betty Brant? Collecting AMAZING FANTASY (1995) #16-18 and UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN #1-14.
- GenresSpider ManGraphic Novels
400 pages, Paperback
Published November 16, 2021
5 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,859 books626 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 1, 2022
I never read this series when it was being published, and I was really looking forward to reading it, as the Ditko-Lee era of Spider-Man might be my favorite run of comics of all time. I went in expecting that it would read like missing chapters of that story… and that is not at all what I got.
There is some lip service paid to the continuity of the original issues, and nothing “breaks” their continuity, but many of the supporting characters and antagonists are original characters created specifically for this series. Some of them wind up supposedly having a profound effect on young Peter/Spidey’s life, which of course they can’t, not really.
And many of these characters just feel visually and tonally wrong for the era. A lot of that is due to Pat Olliffe’s art, which is perfectly fine, but it is so specifically 90’s that it instantly dates the book and dispels any illusion that these stories are taking place between the panels of Lee and Ditko’s work.
Given Busiek’s work on books like Marvels and Astro City and Avengers Forever, I expected a lot more from this. Instead, it’s just a bunch of serviceable Spidey stories drawn in a McFarlane-lite art style. And that’s all well and good, but that’s pretty much the definition of every Spider-Man story of the era. I have to wonder if it was remembered so fondly by readers at the time just because the alternative was the interminable Clone Saga, and this series featured the “real” Spidey that they had greater affection for.
It really does feel like a “you had to be there” thing. It hasn’t aged badly, exactly, but it does feel like the Amazing Spider-Man of the late 1960s/early 1970s, where nothing felt particularly inspired or consequential.
There is some lip service paid to the continuity of the original issues, and nothing “breaks” their continuity, but many of the supporting characters and antagonists are original characters created specifically for this series. Some of them wind up supposedly having a profound effect on young Peter/Spidey’s life, which of course they can’t, not really.
And many of these characters just feel visually and tonally wrong for the era. A lot of that is due to Pat Olliffe’s art, which is perfectly fine, but it is so specifically 90’s that it instantly dates the book and dispels any illusion that these stories are taking place between the panels of Lee and Ditko’s work.
Given Busiek’s work on books like Marvels and Astro City and Avengers Forever, I expected a lot more from this. Instead, it’s just a bunch of serviceable Spidey stories drawn in a McFarlane-lite art style. And that’s all well and good, but that’s pretty much the definition of every Spider-Man story of the era. I have to wonder if it was remembered so fondly by readers at the time just because the alternative was the interminable Clone Saga, and this series featured the “real” Spidey that they had greater affection for.
It really does feel like a “you had to be there” thing. It hasn’t aged badly, exactly, but it does feel like the Amazing Spider-Man of the late 1960s/early 1970s, where nothing felt particularly inspired or consequential.
October 21, 2025
This is the most underrated, under appreciated and under-seen Spider-Man comic of all time.
I understand the weight behind that statement but I genuinely believe it with all my heart. Of all the “best SM comics” lists or recommendations for a fan interested in Spidey, I have never heard this mentioned. I picked it up on a whim because of the price and cool cover.
You can imagine my surprise when I found myself laughing, crying and in awe of the incredible web swinging action all throughout the glorious 400 pages.
Busiek nails the voice of Peter and his entire cast in the extremely specific era that it aims for. 10/10. No notes in regards to the writing. Especially since these are the “untold tales” of Spider-Man. Meaning that it took place between the issues of Lee & Ditko.
Meaning that any interest in the book is dubious from the start because any fan could see the series as “Spidey’s less interesting adventures that weren’t note worthy”. In the hands of a lesser writer, that’s what we would have gotten. But this is not the case.
Oliffe’s art was great and I’d be remiss to not mention the man’s dedication. He pencilled 13 of the 17 issues here and with incredible detail and character design.
I’m not trying to say this reinvented the wheel or anything, but it was an incredibly well done, nostalgic throwback to a bygone era that I believe should be on everyone’s top 10 Spider-Man comics.
I understand the weight behind that statement but I genuinely believe it with all my heart. Of all the “best SM comics” lists or recommendations for a fan interested in Spidey, I have never heard this mentioned. I picked it up on a whim because of the price and cool cover.
You can imagine my surprise when I found myself laughing, crying and in awe of the incredible web swinging action all throughout the glorious 400 pages.
Busiek nails the voice of Peter and his entire cast in the extremely specific era that it aims for. 10/10. No notes in regards to the writing. Especially since these are the “untold tales” of Spider-Man. Meaning that it took place between the issues of Lee & Ditko.
Meaning that any interest in the book is dubious from the start because any fan could see the series as “Spidey’s less interesting adventures that weren’t note worthy”. In the hands of a lesser writer, that’s what we would have gotten. But this is not the case.
Oliffe’s art was great and I’d be remiss to not mention the man’s dedication. He pencilled 13 of the 17 issues here and with incredible detail and character design.
I’m not trying to say this reinvented the wheel or anything, but it was an incredibly well done, nostalgic throwback to a bygone era that I believe should be on everyone’s top 10 Spider-Man comics.
September 19, 2025
"Untold Tales of Spider-Man: The Complete Collection Vol. 1" is a gem for any Spidey fan. Kurt Busiek, whose "Marvels" already showed his mastery at weaving humanity into superhero myth, delivers here with the same brilliance. The stories revisit Spider-Man’s earliest days, slipping between the cracks of the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era, adding nuance, depth, and emotional weight without ever contradicting the classics.
Pat Olliffe’s art is the perfect companion—dynamic, inventive, and respectful of Ditko’s visual language while still bringing a fresh energy that makes these tales feel both timeless and modern. Together, Busiek and Olliffe achieve something rare: they enrich the legend without ever diluting its magic.
Whether it’s exploring hidden corners of Peter Parker’s life or adding new context to familiar battles, every issue here feels both authentic and revelatory. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a love letter to Spider-Man’s enduring heart, humor, and humanity.
If you think you already know Spidey’s story, this collection proves there’s always more to discover.
Pat Olliffe’s art is the perfect companion—dynamic, inventive, and respectful of Ditko’s visual language while still bringing a fresh energy that makes these tales feel both timeless and modern. Together, Busiek and Olliffe achieve something rare: they enrich the legend without ever diluting its magic.
Whether it’s exploring hidden corners of Peter Parker’s life or adding new context to familiar battles, every issue here feels both authentic and revelatory. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a love letter to Spider-Man’s enduring heart, humor, and humanity.
If you think you already know Spidey’s story, this collection proves there’s always more to discover.
June 1, 2023
Interesting experience, reading these stories again after nearly thirty years. Overall, it's still a pretty solid little series - Busiek does a good job crafting some new character that he can get a little extra oomph out of, Olliffe brings a blocky, retro-style to the artwork, and the stories have that classic Spidey-beating-himself-up thing. It's probably something that has more impact if you have some affection for early Spider-Man (I do).
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February 25, 2025I'm sorry but who cares.
Some nice art, and cute beats here and there, but plugging tiny holes of continuity is not the most fun thing to read. That wall of a timeline at the end of the book typifies EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Anyone who can actually make it through that and cares seriously needs to sort out their priorities in life.
Read this entire thing while sun-bathing in a pool on a lazy Sunday BTW.
Some nice art, and cute beats here and there, but plugging tiny holes of continuity is not the most fun thing to read. That wall of a timeline at the end of the book typifies EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Anyone who can actually make it through that and cares seriously needs to sort out their priorities in life.
Read this entire thing while sun-bathing in a pool on a lazy Sunday BTW.
March 24, 2025
One of my favorites!
Love, love, love all these untold stories of Spider-Man’s early adventures! It reflects the 1960s time period and blends in with the Amazing Spider-Man series. I loved later on my when they brought some of the “new” characters into Spidey’s life as an adult. The artwork and storylines were top notch. I really miss this series!
Love, love, love all these untold stories of Spider-Man’s early adventures! It reflects the 1960s time period and blends in with the Amazing Spider-Man series. I loved later on my when they brought some of the “new” characters into Spidey’s life as an adult. The artwork and storylines were top notch. I really miss this series!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews