Spider-Man: No Way Home, the climax to the web-slinger’s latest cinematic trilogy, hits theaters this week. As such, there’s no better time to take a look back at some of Peter Parker’s greatest comic stories. Like all films in the MCU, No Way Home isn’t a direct adaptation of any specific comic — it takes ideas from all across Spider-Man’s comic history and reimagines them into something fresh.
However, there are still many elements in No Way Home that call to mind specific comic stories from years past. Here are just a few Spider-Man comics that are well worth a read before you head to the theater for Spidey’s latest big-screen adventure.
If This Be My Destiny
Spanning issues 31 to 33 of The Amazing Spider-Man, this three-part arc by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko is one of the highlights of the original comic run — and indeed, one of the most iconic Spider-Man stories ever written. The first issue focuses on Peter Parker starting college at Empire State University, introducing Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn in the process. The next issue begins the plot in earnest when Peter discovers that Aunt May is deathly ill, and that the special serum that can save her has been stolen by Doctor Octopus.
Driven mad by his desperation to save Aunt May, Spider-Man goes on a rampage throughout Doc Ock’s criminal empire. While Ock himself isn’t the focus of the arc, the aftermath of his battle with Peter is one of the most defining Spidey moments ever. Crushed under Otto’s collapsing lair, Peter is forced to muster all his determination to lift the debris and save Aunt May, perfectly depicting the “always get back up” attitude that has become synonymous with Spider-Man. While the rubble-lifting scene has already been adapted in Spider-Man: Homecoming, this storyline is still worth revisiting as a brilliant encapsulation of what makes Spidey so great, straight from his original creators.
Spider-Man No More
Another highlight of the Stan Lee era — this time with art by John Romita — is this 1967 story from ASM #50, best known as a major inspiration for the story of Spider-Man 2. Like No Way Home, the story opens with Peter despondent and doubtful after J. Jonah Jameson turns the public against him. Believing he’s doing more harm than good, Peter throws away his costume, allowing the Kingpin (in his debut issue, no less) to take over the NYC underworld in Spidey’s absence.
But while he initially enjoys his heroism-free life, Peter soon finds that his life has become hollow. Unable to stand idly by while people need help, Peter realizes he can’t ignore his great responsibility. As Lee writes, “No matter how unbearable the burden… I can never permit one innocent being to come to harm because Spider-Man failed to act — and I swear that I never will!” This story focuses on the stress of Peter’s double life and the selfless responsibility that drives him: two aspects that have become integral to his character.
The Night Gwen Stacy Died
Penned by Gerry Conway and drawn by Gil Kane, this 1973 storyline from ASM #121-122 is without a doubt one of the most important Spider-Man stories ever written. The first issue ends with Peter failing to save Gwen Stacy from the Green Goblin, but while that tragic ending is what this story is most known for, it’s the next issue’s climactic battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin that’s the real highlight of the story. With Willem Dafoe returning in No Way Home — and the trailers showing MJ falling from the Statue of Liberty — let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself in the MCU.
Happy Birthday
This three-part arc from 2003, culminating in ASM #500, was written by J. Michael Straczynski with art by John Romita Jr. The story features an adult Peter Parker, worn out from years of fighting and suffering, wondering whether being Spider-Man is still worth it. But before long, he’s thrown into his biggest battle yet, teaming up with Doctor Strange to save the world from Dormammu. But when Peter throws off one of Strange’s spells, he’s set adrift through space and time.
Peter must then overcome his doubts and fears as he’s forced to relive his greatest battles and deepest losses. Along the way, he even encounters two parallel versions of himself — one from his own past, and one from a bleak alternate future — who reflect his own inner turmoil. Needless to say, the premise of a reality-bending team-up with Doctor Strange that faces Peter with his deadliest enemies and his own inner demons sounds quite a lot like No Way Home.
Back in Black
Another Straczynski story, this time with art by Ron Garney. This 2007 arc that spans ASM #539–543 focuses on the consequences of Peter’s secret identity being revealed to the world in the Civil War comic. Kingpin hires an assassin to kill Peter, only for the bullet to mortally wound Aunt May instead. Consumed by rage, Peter dons his black suit (not the Venom Symbiote, but a normal costume modeled after it) once again to take vengeance on Kingpin. This intense storyline shows what happens when Spider-Man is pushed to his breaking point, culminating in a gripping showdown between Peter and Kingpin.
Ends of the Earth
One of No Way Home’s biggest selling points is the major team-up between Spider-Man’s most nefarious nemeses, with Doctor Octopus taking center stage. For stories like that in the comics, look no further than this 2012 arc that spans ASM #682-687, written by Dan Slott with art by Stefano Caselli and Humberto Ramos. The story sees Doc Ock’s body deteriorating after years of fighting Spider-Man, forcing him to enact his biggest scheme yet. With the help of his Sinister Six, Otto intends to immortalize himself forever as history’s greatest villain.
“Ends of the Earth” is an epic globe-trotting adventure that guest stars everyone from the Avengers to Big Hero 6, but its biggest appeal is how it portrays Doctor Octopus. Slott’s characterization of Ock as a broken, spiteful, tragic figure breathes new life into the character in a prelude to his starring role in Superior Spider-Man. But in terms of stories about Peter and Otto’s rivalry, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Go Down Swinging
The epic finale to Slott’s run, 2018’s ASM #800 features a knock-down, drag-out clash between Peter Parker and Norman Osborn, who’s used the Carnage Symbiote to become the nigh-unstoppable Red Goblin. In order to save his friends and family, Spider-Man must team up with everyone from Miles Morales to Doc Ock to Venom to Mary Jane. All of Spidey’s allies (and enemies) come together under a single banner to take Norman down, showcasing just how far Peter’s come since his early days. The awkward loner of years past has grown into a true hero, whose compassion has helped him weave a web of bonds that can help him bear any responsibility. But of course, it all ultimately comes down to a one-on-one duel between Peter and Norman, in what may be Spidey’s greatest battle yet.