Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1 (Marvel Masterworks) [Paperback]

Stan Lee (Author), Steve Ditko (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2009

Reprint Amazing Fantasy 15 (origin of Spider-Man) as well as Amazing Spider-Man 1-10. 1st appearances of Doctor Octopus, The Vulture, Electro, Sandman and The Lizard.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Marvel Comics; 1st edition (February 4, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0785136932
• ISBN-13: 978-0785136934
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stan Lee is a man who needs no introduction. Nevertheless: Having begun his career with wartime Timely Comics and staying the course throughout the Atlas era, Stan the Man made comic-book history with Fantastic Four #1, harbinger of a bold new perspective in story writing that endures to this day. With some of the industry's greatest artists, he introduced hero after hero in Incredible Hulk, Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men and more -- forming a shared universe for rival publishers to measure themselves against. After an almost literal lifetime of writing and editing, Lee entered new entertainment fields and earned Marvel one opportunity after another. He remains one of Marvel's best-known public representatives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 20th Century's best comic book hero, August 9, 2010

By 

B. E. Beechler "Doc Beechler" (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

By the early 60s, Stan Lee was pretty much sick of comic books. He had been working in the industry since he was a teen and the monster and romance books held little meaning to a man entering middle age. Then, in 1961, he wrote the comic he wanted to write figuring that if it didn't work, he was leaving comics anyway. Well, Fantastic Four was a hit and Stan and Jack Kirby began to create their own universe to play in. I think Stan stayed in, mainly, because for the first time ever he was getting feedback. And these weren't just letters from kids, students from places like Yale were stopping in the Marvel offices, wanting to talk to Stan...readers of Rolling Stone were talking about Marvel...Stan was feeling like what he was writing actually mattered to thinking people. While FF is the darling of the comics intelligentsia, especially big time Kirby fans, its family of characters still trail behind Peter Parker, the amazing Spider-Man, in the hearts of most folks. I think the genius of the character, from the minds of Stan and Steve Ditko, was that many of the known tropes of superhero comics were used, but were tilted in a way never fully explored before. Clark Kent lost his parents and was raised by an older, loving couple - check. Bruce Wayne's parents were killed by a street thug - check. An accident with radiation gave a person incredible powers (FF, Hulk) - check. Peter Parker had all of these...so what made him special? He didn't start out with goodness in his heart or a sense of justice...he had to learn it the hard way. That pushed Spidey closer to all of us. Because of the fantastic origin story of Spider-Man, Peter could never completely put himself above the petty crime, the greed, or the selfishness he fights against. Batman looks at a criminal and sees the person who took his parents. Superman can't understand man's inhumanity to man. But Pete knows, in his heart of hearts, that, while he didn't kill his beloved uncle, he certainly played an important part in the events that led to his murder. Peter Parker had to live with his aunt after those events...had to watch her mourn...and it had to twist his stomach. But...and this is important...Peter didn't let this make him sullen. He made a life-change and it launched him into action. To start out so tragically, but become so upbeat, a force for hope and goodness...that's what we love about the character and his adventures. And it certainly helped that 1) Stan, Steve, and John surrounded Peter with a fantastic cast of supporting characters (the best in mainstream comics) and 2) Stan wrote some great, laugh-out loud dialog accompanied by Ditko's strangely beautiful art and Romita's window into the New York of the 60s and 70s.

While Superman and Batman may still be the most iconic superheroes in the world, Peter Parker, the amazing Spider-Man, is the most human and, ultimately, the greatest creation of 20th century comic books.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The foundation, April 7, 2009

By 

Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States) - See all my reviews

Spidey fans, this is the foundation-in affordable form.

These are the original stories from 1962-63 that brought the Spider Man legend to the world.

This is where we meet Peter Parker, see how the whole story started with our man being bitten by a radioactive Spider, how PP hooked up with J. Jonah Jamison and his rival Flash Thompson, and what happened to his Unle ben, who was never seen again after his initial appearance.

In 1962-63, this was avant-garde stuff because it presented Peter Parker in a manner that the mostly geeky teenage boys who read such books could truly relate more than they cared to admit. PP is the target of bullies, girls avoid him, adults don't understand him, and the world just isn't ready for him. Even as superhero Spidey, he's still the same mistake-prone geek. This was revoutionary at the time and accounted for much of his early appeal.

So read and see how the legend began in an economical format. Enjoy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvel Fans, Read This., May 5, 2010

By 

Linda L. Getman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

First off, this Marvel Masterwork (in paperback) is a spectacular restoration of the original comics of The Amazing Spider-Man from 1962-63. The artwork is incredible thanks to Steve Ditko and the storylines are also equally amazing, courtesy of Stan Lee. With 10 issues of fantastic adventures, this comic has proven itself not to dissapoint. Also, the price is so much lower than a bookstore close to me. It is a great deal and it is also something good to read if you wanna slip out of reality for an hour. This Marvel Masterwork is the start of a tremendous age, and it is still 1 of the best ones you'll ever read today. I just ordered Fantastic Four, by the way. I'm expecting them to come in soon (I think on May 10th, can't wait!) Look for my reviews on other Marvel Masterworks for some helpful shopping advice. (Only Paperbacks)