10 Best Spider-Man Starting Points For First-Time Marvel Fans

Spider-Man’s story has expanded greatly over the past six decades. While dedicated fans appreciate the abundance of content – including video games like Insomniac’s *Spider-Man* and animated films like the *Into the Spider-Verse* series – newcomers might feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn.

Whether you like comics, movies, or video games, Marvel offers many ways to jump into the world of Spider-Man. From the *Ultimate Spider-Man* comics to Sam Raimi’s *Spider-Man* films, there are plenty of excellent options for new fans. No matter how you prefer to experience stories, Spider-Man has something for everyone, providing great starting points for reading, watching, and enjoying his adventures.

Spider-Man’s Comic Book Debut In Amazing Fantasy #15

Though brief, Spider-Man’s debut in *Amazing Fantasy* #15 efficiently introduces everything a reader needs to understand the character before diving into any other Spider-Man comic.

This issue introduces everything you need to know about Spider-Man: Peter Parker’s personal life, his loving relationship with Aunt May and Uncle Ben, how he got his powers from a spider bite, the tragic death of Uncle Ben, and the important lesson that with great power comes great responsibility. Published just before Spider-Man got his own comic book series, *Amazing Fantasy* #15 is a perfect introduction for anyone familiar with the movies, or even completely new to the character.

Tom Holland Is A Great Spider-Man… With Heavy Ties To The MCU

For many younger viewers, Tom Holland *is* Spider-Man, which keeps the conversation going about who played the best version of the character. His films didn’t bother retelling the origin story, assuming audiences were already familiar with it.

As a huge Spider-Man fan, I’ve loved seeing Tom Holland’s Spider-Man integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with *Captain America: Civil War* and really taking off with *Spider-Man: Homecoming*. But it does create a bit of a problem. If you’re new to the MCU and jump in with these films, you’ll probably be lost! While the Holland trilogy is fantastic *as part of the bigger MCU story*, they aren’t the best place to *start* if you’ve never seen any Marvel movies before. Older Spider-Man films are much easier to jump into as an introduction.

Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man Is A Great Place To Start

The *Amazing Spider-Man* movies were often criticized for not feeling fresh, especially when compared to the earlier *Spider-Man* films directed by Sam Raimi. While they did retell some of the same story elements, *Amazing Spider-Man* 1 and 2 still offer a solid introduction to the character for anyone new to the series.

A lot of the criticisms of the Spider-Man movies starring Andrew Garfield wouldn’t be an issue if Sam Raimi’s earlier trilogy hadn’t set such a high bar. That being said, Andrew Garfield was a charming and entertaining Spider-Man, and his first film does a great job of introducing audiences to Peter Parker, his loved ones, and his enemies.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Introduces A New Animated Web-Head

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a new animated series featuring the popular hero. It was initially intended as a backstory for the Spider-Man we know from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the working title *Spider-Man: Freshman Year*. However, the show works perfectly well even if you’re not familiar with those movies, making it great for new viewers.

What’s really cool about *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man* is that it’s doing something different with Peter Parker – it’s a fresh take compared to other Spider-Man stories. This version features Norman Osborn as a mentor, and Peter has a whole new group of friends. It’s a series anyone can enjoy, whether you’re a longtime Spider-Man fan or completely new to the character, because you don’t need to know anything about previous stories to jump in.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series Was Perfect For Fans In The 1990s

Spider-Man: The Animated Series is considered one of the greatest superhero cartoons of the 1990s, and it still holds up as one of the best ever made. The show was notable for including major storylines like Secret Wars and even an early version of the Spider-Verse concept.

Even with appearances from popular characters like the Punisher and Daredevil, the show never felt cluttered or confusing. Viewers discovered Spider-Man’s villains at the same time as he did, meaning newcomers weren’t lost and longtime comic fans still enjoyed familiar stories. *Spider-Man: TAS* struck a great balance, being easy for new viewers to pick up while still appealing to those already familiar with the comics.

The Ultimate Spider-Man Swings Onto Comic Shelves For A New Generation Of Fans

Both *Amazing Fantasy* #15 and *Amazing Spider-Man* #1 are excellent starting points for anyone getting into Spider-Man, as they mark his very first appearances. However, while these stories are considered classics, they might feel a little old-fashioned to readers used to more modern comics.

Back in 2000, Marvel decided to do a reboot of sorts, launching the Ultimate Universe to bring their classic heroes to a new generation of fans. It’s funny, even parts of *Ultimate Spider-Man* feel a little old now, but it’s still a fantastic way to get into the character and, honestly, it created what I think is the best alternate Spider-Man universe ever.

The Spectacular Spider-Man Was Very Accessible For New Fans

If you’re new to Spider-Man and want a complete introduction to his world – including most of his famous enemies, his personal life, and the challenges of juggling school with superhero duties – the *Spectacular Spider-Man* animated series is a great place to start.

This show features some of the strongest portrayals of classic Spider-Man characters, including Gwen Stacy, Tombstone, and Doctor Octopus. It also successfully tackles the symbiote storyline and presents a compelling mystery surrounding the Green Goblin. It’s unfortunate that it only lasted 26 episodes, but it remains a concise and excellent introduction to Spider-Man and the people in his world.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Made Miles Morales A Household Name

Miles Morales is a newer character in the Marvel Universe, first appearing in Ultimate Spider-Man after the death of Peter Parker. But thanks to popular projects like the *Spider-Man: Miles Morales* game, *Marvel’s Spider-Man 2*, and *Into the Spider-Verse*, he’s quickly become very well-known.

Lots of fans actually like Miles Morales even more than Peter Parker. The Spider-Verse movies, featuring Miles, are now considered some of the greatest superhero films ever made. The animation is stunning, but what really resonates with audiences – both longtime fans and newcomers – is Miles’ relatable and inspiring story of becoming his own unique Spider-Man.

Insomniac Games Created Their Own Spider-Man Universe

Players had really enjoyed the Spider-Man games made by Beenox, but it had been a while since Spider-Man was the star of a truly great game. Then, in 2018, Insomniac Games delivered a fantastic one as a game only available on PlayStation.

This Spider-Man has been fighting crime for eight years, and has already faced many of his classic enemies, including members of the Sinister Six, as well as villains like Mister Negative and Doctor Octopus. The *Spider-Man* PS4 game quickly gets players familiar with this experienced version of the hero. It’s paced well and easy to follow, even for those familiar with Spider-Man’s comic book history, introducing players to this new take on the character and his world.

Spider-Man (2002) Helped Kick Off The Next Era Of Superhero Movies

While Superman and Batman were the biggest heroes in movies throughout the 20th century, films like *X-Men* signaled a shift as we entered the 21st, showing audiences what superhero movies could and should be like.

The 2002 film *Spider-Man* hits all the essential beats of the superhero origin story and still holds up as a classic. Even with so many great comic book movies released since, it remains a fantastic way to get to know Spider-Man. For many fans, it was their first experience with the character, and it established the relationships between Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, Mary Jane Watson, and Norman Osborn in a way that influenced future Spider-Man adaptations.

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2025-10-12 05:43