It’s a new era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and certainly a new era for Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man. After “Peter Parker” has been erased from the minds of those in the MCU, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is about to introduce audiences to a new take on the web-slinger as he navigates life in New York City apart from his entire support system. With trailers that echo many of the most iconic Spider-Man comic book covers and a title that does the same, we’ve put together a list of Spidey comics that you ought to give a shot.
Before Brand New Day swings into theaters, brush up on your Marvel knowledge with these popular Spider-Man stories that will have you in the mood to read more. From single issues of The Amazing Spider-Man to multi-issue arcs that changed the character’s status quo, we’ve got a little bit of everything for die-hard wall-crawler enthusiasts. So get those web-shooters ready, because here comes your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!
Spider-Man: Coming Home (2001)
Image via Marvel Comics
Not to be confused with the first Tom Holland movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Coming Home was an arc penned by J. Michael Straczynski (the guy who made Babylon 5, a sci-fi classic that has aged like fine wine) during his highly-popular run with the character. With this six-part return to form, Straczynski re-examined Spidey’s origins and begins moving Peter in a bold (and profound) creative direction. It’s the type of Spidey story perfect for newcomers who are already familiar with the basics.
Coming Home (also called “The Spider Totem” by many) is a strong beginning chapter to Stracynski’s multi-year run on Amazing Spider-Man. Peter’s discovery that his powers may not have been an accident, but destiny is a stunning revelation that sets the stage for the next arc on this list. Oh, and did we mention that this is a period of separation for Peter and MJ? Yet another reason to give it a read ahead of Brand New Day.
Spider-Man: The Other (2005)
Image via Marvel Comics
Long before the MCU, Marvel Comics was already taking cues from the brand’s most successful live-action outings. In the case of Stracynski’s “The Other,” Spider-Man undergoes a transformation that gives him organic webs, increases his strength, and offers him an array of unusual spider abilities he didn’t have before (including stingers!). Considering this is one comic that could offer insight into Peter's transformation in Brand New Day, fans shouldn’t leave it off the list.
The Other was a 12-part, four-act crossover that took place across several books: The Amazing Spider-Man #525–528, Marvel Knights Spider-Man #19–22, and Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1–4. Collected editions make this an easier read, but for those hoping to track down those individual issues, be sure to consult some online resources to discover the official reading order. While some of the changes made to Peter’s power set were reversed following the next arc on this list, The Other is a wild ride that makes for a fun swing.
Spider-Man: One More Day (2007)
Image via Marvel Comics
Spider-Man: One More Day is the most hated Spider-Man story ever written, and for good reason. It’s an abomination that reset Spidey to his “default” setting and stripped the character of all the major growth and change he endured during Straczynski’s larger Amazing Spider-Man run — it even undoes one of the most perfect Spidey comics out there. It’s a real tragedy that has yet to be undone by Marvel, and it continues to be despised by fans everywhere. That said, it’s pretty relevant to the latest MCU picture.
At the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter is forced to give up his happy life with MJ (Zendaya), much like Peter and Mary Jane are forced to give up their marriage to save Aunt May in this story here. It sets the stage for the “Brand New Day” arc that would follow, as well as Spider-Man’s new place within the Marvel Universe. While Straczynski famously didn’t agree with the final direction of One More Day (that was Joe Quesada‘s doing), it has had major ramifications in Spider-Man comics for the past 20 years.
“Denial” From Peter Parker: Spider-Man #14 (1999)
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