20 Best Spider-Man Comics in History, Ranked

As Marvel’s most recognizable hero, Spider-Man has starred in some of the greatest stories in the history of comics. Since 1963, Spider-Man has found friendship, family, love and even other versions of himself during his adventures. Now it’s time to find out which of his comic adventures are the best.

Even after creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko left the title, many other legendary writers and artists contributed to Spider-Man’s storylines. From epic turning points, tragic losses, and defining character moments, here are the 20 best Spider-Man comic storylines ever.

“How Green Was My Goblin!” (1966)

Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., Mike Esposito (Amazing Spider-Man #39)

A great hero needs great villains, but the strength in Peter Parker’s rivalry with Norman Osborn is just as gripping and iconic as that of Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. In and out of their costumes, it’s the kind of duo great drama is built upon.

While the most historic moments get attention (like Goblin killing Gwen Stacy), this issue let the cat out of the bag, exposing Peter and Norman’s identities to each other. In the process, beginning the battle that would cement both of their places in the superhero and supervillain Halls of Fame.

“Back in Black” (2007)

J. Michael Straczynski, Ron Garney, Bill Reinhold, Matt Milla (Amazing Spider-Man #539-543)

J. Michael Straczynski and Ron Garney bring Spider-Man to the brink of desperation and revenge. In this four-part story arc, following Spider-Man’s public unmasking in 2006’s Civil War, Peter faces the consequences of being famous when Aunt May gets shot by an assassin.

With vengeance and blood on his mind, Spider-Man puts on his Black Suit once again and pursues the assassin, who is revealed to be working for the Kingpin. This leads to an infamous fight scene where Peter beats Kingpin to near death and threatens to kill him, which is a stark contrast to the hopeful hero he used to be.

Kaine Parker’s “Life After Death” (2012)

Christopher Yost, Ryan Stegman, Michael Babinski, Marte Gracia (Scarlet Spider #1)

Even though mentions of anything related to a Spider-Man ‘Clone Saga’ are typically outlawed, that’s a major reason why Kaine Parker goes underrated to this day. Despite a questionable origin as yet another clone of Peter Parker, Kaine defied the odds by striking out on his own as a new Scarlet Spider.

One look at the creative team of Yost and Stegman should prove this relaunch was so, so, so much better than anyone expected from a ‘Kaine redemption story.’ And for more fans than anyone would expect, this hero, this supporting cast, and this story are why they fell in love with comics.

Spider-Man Becomes The New Green Goblin (2023)

Zeb Wells, Patricks Gleason, Marcio Menyz (Amazing Spider-Man #32-35)

Zeb Wells’ run on The Amazing Spider-Man has received mixed reactions from critics and fans, especially those fond of Mary Jane and Peter Parker’s romance (which Wells’ run confirmed is over). However, one indisputable bright spot of this run which most readers can agree on is Peter Parker’s rebranding as the new Green Goblin. The arc is so noteworthy, Wells was quick to recreate that magic by turning Peter into The Spider-Man Who Laughs shortly after.

When Norman Osborn’s evil essence and Goblin personality are removed from him, those sins relocate into Peter Parker’s body. A newly evil Peter uses the opportunity to inact payback against past enemies like Kraven the Hunter, becoming an absolute menace in the process. The new characterization conceptualizes Peter into something closer to a horror movie monster more than a superhero, offering readers some of the most haunting panels to ever depict Spider-Man in recent history.

Spider-Man: Life Story (2019)

Chip Zdarsky, Mark Bagley, Jophn Dell, Frank D’Armata

Spider-Man: Life Story is one of the more ambitious tales to come out of this list, as the concept revolves around the six-part miniseries attempting to compact Spider-Man’s key storylines into one cohesive canon and lifespan for the character. From the 60s up until 2019, readers get to see Spidey endure everything from the “Civil War,” to the “Clone Saga,” to “Secret Wars,” “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” and even the introduction of Miles Morales.

At the same time, the attempt to craft all of these storylines into one person’s lifespan leads to some unique twists on these classic stories, such as Kraven the Hunter being consumed by the Venom symbiote and Miles Morales being possessed by Doc Ock. Overall, this results in the ultimate tribute to decades-worth of storytelling for Spider-Man.

“The Death of Jean DeWolff” (1986)

Peter David, Rich Buckler, Kyle Baker, Brett Breeding, Pat Redding, Josef Rubinstein, George Roussos, Bob Sharen, Nelson Yomtov (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #107–110)

It’s easy to forget who Jean DeWolff is when she isn’t as prominent in Spidey storylines as she used to be. For that same reason, some readers may have never even heard of the woman, but this police detective was one of Spider-Man’s main supporting players for almost a decade, which is why her death was such a big deal at the time of release.

An even bigger deal is the tone which this storyline decides to take shape. With the Sin-Eater primarily at the center of it all, this storyline adopted the style and feel of a dark and gritty noir tale. Noir isn’t something that typically goes hand-in-hand with Spider-Man (unless readers are talking about Spider-Man Noir from outside 616 canon), but it makes for the perfect marriage to tell a tale like this.

“Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut!” (1982)

Roger Stern, John Romita, Jr., Jim Mooney, Glynis Wein (Amazing Spider-Man #229–230)

This is one of the shorter story arcs on this list, but this two-parter is also one of the more impactful for either character. It’s certainly one of the most memorable and definitive stories for the Juggernaut, which says a lot for a villain who is not even a part of Spider-Man’s official rogues gallery. That itself speaks to how versatile Juggernaut is in a way where he can fit any hero’s story as the perfect adversary, while this fight proved just how versatile Spider-Man can be. Not only does Spidey survive another hero’s villain, but shows what really happens when brain meets brawn.

The story is simple: Spider-Man needs to stop Juggernaut from kidnapping Madame Web. Seems simple enough, but for Spidey, a task like this is anything but simple.

“The Grim Hunt” (2010)

Joe Kelly, Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano, Matt Hollingsworth (Amazing Spider-Man #634-637)

As a story arc, “Grim Hunt” had the tough task of following up “The Gauntlet” (another one of Spider-Man’s best storylines) and serving as a sequel to an all-time great arc in “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” However, “Grim Hunt” more than rises to the challenge by being a constant thrill ride from panel to panel.

The excitement could not be any higher for Spider-Man as a war breaks out between the Kravinoff family and the Spider-Family. Decades after their elder’s death, only one goal is on the mind of the antagonists: resurrect Kraven the Hunter. That goal demands killing the Spiders as a sacrifice.

With Spider-Man being so family-oriented as a character, targeting his family brings out the worst in him, to the point that he has to pull his classic black suit out of the closet once more, unleashing his brutality and rage through it. This does justice by “Kraven’s Last Hunt” whilst progressing the story into the future.

The ‘Alien Costume Saga’ (1984)

Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz, Al Milgrom, Louise Simonson, Greg LaRocque et. al (Amazing Spider-Man #252-258, Marvel Team-Up #141-145, Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #90-95)

When Spider-Man debuted his brand new, black costume, nobody could have predicted the fame and fortunes that would one day come to that sentient suit, as the villain-turned-hero Venom. But it was a compelling story, all the same.

Originally, the colossal tale of Peter Parker’s new wardrobe, changing moods, and eventual divorce from the alien symbiote was told across 4 different series in which Spidey starred. Collected today as the ‘Alien Costume Saga,’ it has more than earned its place in Marvel history.

Spider-Man: Blue (2002)

Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Steve Buccellato

This six-issue miniseries by Jeph Loeb and the late, great Tim Sale focuses on Spider-Man having Valentine’s Day blues over his first girlfriend, Gwen Stacy. A few years after the tragic death of Gwen Stacy, Peter finds himself recording his thoughts and reliving his early memories of his first love.

This love story shows the fans how much Gwen was such a guiding light, not only for Peter, but for Harry Osborn and her rival, Mary Jane Watson. Though Gwen lives on as Earth-65’s Spider-Woman in the Spider-Verse, Earth-616 Gwen Stacy’s impact on Spider-Man’s life will never be forgotten.