Spider-Newbie

I've been reading DC comics for a while, and never managed to branch over into Marvel - it's certainly nothing personal, not related to quality or anything like that, simply that I'm investing more time and money than I can afford trying to keep up with DC titles and I just KNOW if I branch over I'll double it. I have no restraint whatever :b

Anyway, the new Spider-Man movie is coming out, and I'm totally pumped to see it, but I'd like to know a little bit more about the character before I do so. I don't want to buy a bunch of books, so here's the clincher, and I know this is an impossible question to answer:

if you had to pick one trade paperback or graphic novel that you felt best captured who Spider-Man is, what would you recommend?

My local bookstore's just overloaded with Spider-books, so they're really no help. For what it's worth, I've enjoyed most of the titles that have had praise heaped upon them - Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns and Kingdom Come. I was also impressed with Arkham Asylum, so I suppose you could say that my tastes run toward the grim-n-gritty. Although, I did thoroughly enjoy Grant Morrison's run on the JLA - found it very childlike and imaginative.

Plus, any thoughts that you have to share about what makes this character distinct from the dozens of other metahumans running about. I have my own impressions from what little I've read, but I assume that you would have more informed opinions than my own...

Anyway, I know it's a big question, but I hate seeing movies when I'm uneducated! I'm just not prepared to invest a great deal of time catching up on the varying interpretations of the character. Any recommendations you could make would make a big difference to me.

One of my faves is 'Coming Home' , which is where he goes up against a really big threat to him personally, because of who he is (Spiderman), and its a turning point for him because his life is changing so much - with regards to his family life, his relationships etc - it also shows you the sort of hero he is. If you want to 'catch up' for the movie - the new Ultimate Spiderman is good - get the TPBs; its basically the re-telling of the story updated for modern day, with the odd change here and there - its also rather funny too The good thing about Spideys character, is that he's always been the same person - not like Batman being nice, being a dark loner, being nice etc - he's just the normal guy who got all these powers, so it doesnt make it that difficult to get into his head - as he's fairly consistant.

On 30 Apr 2002, Penner Theologius Pott wandered deep into the Valley of Knowledge and Confusion and emerged victorious, proclaiming:

I second Knightblades 'Ultimate Spider-man' suggestion. Issues 1-13 (I think) have been bound into a TPB so you don't have to buy each separately.

I've been a Spidey fan since I was kid, but only from the (Bad) TV show and the Saturday morning cartoon. I've never really bought any Spidey comics. 'Ultimate' was my first.

Well, what makes him different from the other metahumans WAS that he was the only 'hero' that had obviuos weaknesses to overcome. Before that, heroes were perfect. Although everyone's jumped onto this bandwagon for writing comic book heroes Spidey was the first to be a normal guy thrust into an abnormal situation.

the movie is partly bases on Amazing Spiderman #122 came out in 1973...I have had it 30 years... Saw the movie...and its great

I was at the bookstore recently too. Most of the stuff was great especially the vintage stuff that has been reprinted. If you have a chance I would take a few hours (maybe days) and sit and read the books at the bookstore they won't care and chances are if you are like me you will end up buying a book or magazine (that is why they encurage browsing and reading now it really does help you choose what you want. The best buy for your dollar are those Essential books. The black & white reprints that have between 20 and 30 comic books reprinted for about $15.00 and I believe there are 5 Amazing Spider-man books. But lots of great stuff in color including some paperbacks of recent tales that are quite good too.

-Mark