Spider-Man reading order
Spider-Man has been in print since 1962, so we give you a path, not a master list. Ten books, a checklist and where each one fits.
Spider-Man’s first full appearance was in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. In the decades since, Marvel has told his story in several parallel series, so reading everything in one order is not realistic. The better approach is to pick a version and follow it.
The checklist below starts with two stand-alone stories (Blue and Life Story), then covers the Ultimate Spider-Man run by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, a modern Amazing Spider-Man volume, a classic dark story, Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen. It ends with the 2024 Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, which launched on 10 January 2024.
Want a single self-contained book? Read Spider-Man: Blue. Want a fresh start with a series that is still running? Read Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) Vol. 1.
Spider-Man starter path checklist
0 of 10 read
Next up: Spider-Man: Blue
Newest we list: Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman Vol. 3: Family Business. A starting path, not a complete reading order: Spider-Man has been published since 1962.
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The 2024 volumes are numbered, so read them in order. For why we chose these books and others you could try, see our best Spider-Man comics guide, and for the newest series see the Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) page.
Most of these books are rated for teens in our catalog, and Kraven’s Last Hunt is rated for adults. Check the listing before buying for a younger reader.
Questions people ask
What order should I read Spider-Man comics in?
There is no single order, because Spider-Man has been published since 1962 in many parallel series. We suggest a ten-book path: Blue, Life Story, Ultimate Spider-Man, an Amazing Spider-Man volume, Kraven’s Last Hunt, Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, then the three 2024 Ultimate Spider-Man volumes. Stop wherever you like.
Which Spider-Man comic should I read first?
Spider-Man: Blue is a short, complete story by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale and needs no background. If you want a series, Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 retells the beginning for modern readers, and the 2024 Ultimate Spider-Man starts fresh again. Pick the one whose cover and tone appeal to you most.
Do I need to read Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) in order?
Yes, read the 2024 volumes in number order. Volume 1 is Married with Children, Volume 2 is The Paper and Volume 3 is Family Business. The series launched on 10 January 2024 and is a fresh start, so you do not need to read any earlier Spider-Man book first.
Who is Miles Morales?
Miles Morales is a teenager who became Spider-Man in Marvel’s Ultimate line, introduced by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli. The Ultimate Collection on our checklist collects his early stories. He is a different character from Peter Parker, so you can read his books on their own.
Is Spider-Man for kids?
Spider-Man is a family-friendly character, but not every collection is written for children. Most books on this page are rated for teens in our catalog, and Kraven’s Last Hunt is rated for adults because it is dark. Look through a copy and check the publisher’s age rating before buying for a child.
What is Spider-Gwen?
Spider-Gwen is an alternate-universe version of Gwen Stacy who has Spider-Man’s powers. Spider-Gwen: Greater Power, by Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez, collects her early adventures and is easy to read without any earlier Spider-Man background. It is a good pick if you want a lighter, stylish take on the character.