There might not be a more iconic and beloved character in Marvel Comics' history than Spider-Man. Introduced in 1962 as a teenager who was bullied but gained the powers of a superhero, the book allowed kids worldwide to read the story of how a kid was able to overcome all odds to become a hero.
That was just the start, though, as there were so many key moments in history that helped Spider-Man was able to go from a kid in over his head into one of the most powerful and respected heroes in the world. Spider-Man proved his worth time and time again, and it was all because of several key iconic storylines that redefined the character.
10 Amazing Fantasy #15
The introduction of Spider-Man redefined what superheroes looked like. Before this, there were superteams of geniuses like The Fantastic Four, wealthy industrialists like Iron Man, and war heroes like Captain America.
However, Amazing Fantasy #15 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced a high school student, a science-loving nerd with no friends, bit by a spider and gained superhuman powers. This changed everything about superheroes, and the reliability of this kid is what made Spider-Man so popular.
9 Spider-Man No More
The storyline "Spider-Man No More" took place in Amazing Spider-Man #50 by Stan Lee and John Romita. In this issue, Peter Parker realizes that nothing he does will ever be enough for the people of the city.
With J. Jonah Jameson turning many important people in the city against him and a new villain showing up in Kingpin (this was his first appearance), Peter throws his costume away and quits. However, this is also where he realizes how people look at him isn't as important as doing the right thing.
8 The Night Gwen Stacy Died
Everything in Spider-Man's world changed in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 by Gerry Conway, Gil Kane, and John Romita Sr. It was in these issues that Green Goblin threw Gwen Stacy from a bridge.
When Peter snagged her with his web to save her, he accidentally snapped her neck, and the love of his life died in his arms. Spider-Man set out to kill Norman Osborn after this, and things were never the same, as this death affected Peter more than any outside of his Uncle Ben.
7 The Death of Jean DeWolff
While not as important as the deaths of Uncle Ben and Gwen Stacy, when one of his closest friends on the police force dies, Spider-Man realizes nothing will ever be the same. Captain Jean DeWolff was one of Spider-Man's closest confidants on the police force, and her death shook him to the core.
This took place in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110 by Peter David and Rich Buckler. It turned out that the person who killed her was her own partner, who had become the Sin-Eater. This series ended with Daredevil and Spider-Man revealing their identities to each other and debating whether the system to stop criminals works anymore.
6 Kraven’s Last Hunt
"Kraven's Last Hunt" is one of the most talked-about Spider-Man storylines when it comes to fans. In this storyline, Kraven finally beats Spider-Man and wins in the end. This was a cross-title event in the three Spider-Man comics, created by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.
While Kraven was able to beat Spider-Man, he chose not to kill him. After beating him, Kraven took on the role of Spider-Man and understood what it meant to be a hero. After this, Spider-Man returned, and Kraven took his own life, with nothing left to achieve.
5 One More Day
"One More Day" is the most hated and also the most important storyline in Spider-Man comics. This took place after Spider-Man revealed his secret identity to the world after the events of Civil War. His Aunt May was shot when Kingpin ordered his death, and Peter and Mary Jane made a deal with Mephisto to erase his identity from the world.
The story by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada took Spider-Man's story back to its roots, but he is now paying for it in the current Amazing Spider-Man run.
4 Coming Home
"Coming Home" is the story that changed everything anyone knows about Spider-Man and his place in the world. While most of his existence, the origin was that he was bit by a radioactive spider and gained his powers. This storyline brings up the idea that the spider gave him his powers without the radiation coming into effect.
The series introduced Morlun, a vampiric creature that feeds on pure people connected to an animal totem, which is what it turned out Peter Parker was. It also introduced Ezekiel, another man connected to the totem, and began the new mythology of Spider-Man's existence. This story started in Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #30 by J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr.
3 Maximum Carnage
Venom quickly became one of Spider-Man's most popular foes, so Marvel wanted to one-up it with the introduction of more symbiote characters. To create one more powerful than Spider-Man and Venom, Marvel created Carnage.
This eventually led to 1993's "Maximum Carnage," a cross-title event series that saw Spider-Man and Venom battling Carnage and other symbiotes. It dragged in several of Spider-Man's allies into the fight and lasted for 14 issues before they finally stopped the villain.
2 Spider-Island
If "Maximum Carnage" put all Spider-Man's friends in danger and changed everything about the symbiotes, "Spider-Island" trumped even that and brought the idea of the spider-totem and those connected to the forefront. A serum was created and unleashed that gave everyone in Manhattan the powers of Spider-Man.
It was then up to Spider-Man and his allies to stop the carnage and bring things back to normal. This event series started in 2011 and featured 32 issues of a storyline.
1 Death of Spider-Man
While it took place in the Ultimate Comics universe, "The Death of Spider-Man" was still one of Marvel Comics' most important and essential storylines. Spider-Man, a teenager in this series, died while saving Captain America from a bullet and then his Aunt May and his friends from a rampaging Green Goblin.
It was a strong and effective story that ended with a new Spider-Man arriving in Miles Morales, someone who played an important role in the Spider-Man mythos to this day.