Comics
Spider-Man reading guides
Spider-Man's greatest stories, one at a time. Each of these 14 guides lists the issues in order, says what the story is about without spoiling it, and names the books in print today, with links to buy them.
For something modern and complete, start with Ultimate Spider-Man (2024). For the classic most fans recommend first, Kraven's Last Hunt. For the story that changed comics, The Night Gwen Stacy Died. Want the whole history in one list? See the essential Spider-Man comics, in order.
Every guide at a glance
| Story | Years | Length | New readers? | Start with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Master Planner Saga | 1965–66 | 3 issues | Yes | Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Great Responsibility |
| The Night Gwen Stacy Died | 1973 | 2 issues | Yes | Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: The Goblin's Last Stand |
| The black costume and Venom | 1984–88 | 7 issues | Yes | Spider-Man: The Complete Black Costume Saga Omnibus |
| Kraven's Last Hunt | 1987 | 6 issues | Yes | Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Kraven's Last Hunt |
| Maximum Carnage | 1993 | 14 issues | Mostly | Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Maximum Carnage |
| The Clone Saga | 1994–96 | More than 100 issues | No | Spider-Man: Clone Saga Omnibus Vol. 1 |
| Spider-Man: Blue | 2002–03 | 6 issues | Yes | Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale: Spider-Man |
| Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) | 2000–11 | More than 150 issues | Yes | Ultimate Spider-Man Epic Collection: Learning Curve |
| Coming Home | 2001 | 6 issues | Yes | Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski Omnibus Vol. 1 |
| One More Day and Brand New Day | 2007–08 | 4 issues | Brand New Day, yes | Spider-Man: One More Day Gallery Edition |
| Miles Morales | 2011– | Dozens of issues | Yes | Miles Morales: Spider-Man Modern Era Epic Collection: Hero in Training |
| Superior Spider-Man | 2012–14 | 36 issues | Mostly | Superior Spider-Man: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 |
| Spider-Verse | 2014–15 | About 40 issues | Mostly | Spider-Verse |
| Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) | 2024–26 | 24 issues | Yes | Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman Vol. 1: Married With Children |
The classics, 1965 to 1988
- The Master Planner Saga1965–66 · 3 issuesReading guide
- The Night Gwen Stacy Died1973 · 2 issuesReading guide
- The black costume and Venom1984–88 · 7 issuesReading guide
- Kraven's Last Hunt1987 · 6 issuesReading guide
The 1990s
- Maximum Carnage1993 · 14 issuesReading guide
- The Clone Saga1994–96 · More than 100 issuesReading guide
2001 to 2014
- Spider-Man: Blue2002–03 · 6 issuesReading guide
- Coming Home2001 · 6 issuesReading guide
- One More Day and Brand New Day2007–08 · 4 issuesReading guide
- Superior Spider-Man2012–14 · 36 issuesReading guide
Other universes and new Spider-people
- Ultimate Spider-Man (2000)2000–11 · More than 150 issuesReading guide
- Miles Morales2011– · Dozens of issuesReading guide
- Spider-Verse2014–15 · About 40 issuesReading guide
- Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)2024–26 · 24 issuesReading guide
Questions and answers
What is the best Spider-Man comic to start with?
For a modern, complete story, Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto. For the classic most fans recommend first, Kraven's Last Hunt (1987). Both need no other comics.
What order should I read Spider-Man comics in?
You don't need to read them all in order. Pick a story and start there: each guide here says what, if anything, to read first. For a single list of the essentials in publication order, see our Spider-Man reading order article.
Where can I buy Spider-Man comics?
Each guide lists the collected editions in print, with links to Amazon and Bookshop.org. Most of the issues are also on Marvel Unlimited, Marvel's digital subscription, and any local comic shop can order the books.
Are the book links affiliate links?
Yes. As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org affiliate, SpiderOdds earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which books we recommend.
Links to Amazon and Bookshop.org are affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org affiliate, SpiderOdds earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you, and Bookshop.org shares its sales with independent bookstores. Affiliate links never change which books we recommend. Most of these issues are also on Marvel Unlimited, Marvel's digital subscription, and any local comic shop can order the books.