Amazing Fantasy (1962) 15-A

"Spider-Man!" (6 Pages)
"Part 2" (5 Pages)

Meet Peter Parker, your average high school student. Peter's life is full of blessing and curses. On the negative side, both of his parents are dead, he is scrawny and an outcast among his peers. On the positive, his aged Uncle Ben and Aunt May love him dearly, he is a smart, hard working student, and he has a great sense of humor. A twist of fate is about to increase both sides of that equation, as a demonstration in radiation control ends with Peter being bitten by a spider who strayed into the deadly rays. Peter finds himself with miraculous powers, but soon learns a lesson in responsibility. He selfishly fails to stop a thief who will later go on to rob and murder his Uncle Ben.

As a historical note, Stan Lee had pitched the concept of Spider-Man to his boss Martin Goodman, who initially rejected the concept. The title Amazing Adult Fantasy was flagging and scheduled for termination, and Lee asked permission to run with his concept for the last issue (retitled Amazing Fantasy), and got approval. In the early '60's, the reporting of sales returns would take 8 months, and it wasn't until the returns were in on Amazing Fantasy #15 that they knew they had such a hot property. Amazing Spider-Man #1 was published nine months after the release of Spider-Man's first appearance.

First appearance of Spider-Man (Peter Benjamin Parker).

Three other stories were presented in this issue: "The Bell Ringer!", "Man In the Mummy Case!", and "There Are Martians Among Us!".

Many characters that appeared in this issue reappeared in Amazing Spider-Man #200 in homage to the milestone.



Collected in Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol 1 HC, Amazing Spider-Man: Secret Origins TPB.

Fully reprinted in Marvel Milestone Edition: Amazing Fantasy #15.

"Spider-Man" is reprinted in Marvel Tales (1966) #137, Spider-Man Classics #1, Komikai Micro Comics: Amazing Fantasy #15 and Amazing Fantasy #15: Spider-Man!.