The Penguin Classics Marvel Collection presents the origin stories, seminal tales, and characters of the Marvel Universe to explore Marvel's transformative and timeless influence on an entire genre of fantasy.

It is impossible to imagine American popular culture without Marvel Comics. For decades, Marvel has published groundbreaking visual narratives that sustain attention on multiple levels: as metaphors for the experience of difference and otherness; as meditations on the fluid nature of identity; and as high-water marks in the artistic tradition of American cartooning, to name a few.

This anthology contains twelve key stories from the first two years of Spider-Man's publication history (from 1962 to 1964). These influential adventures not only transformed the super hero fantasy into an allegory for the pain of adolescence but also brought a new ethical complexity to the genre-by insisting that with great power there must also come great responsibility.

A foreword by Jason Reynolds and scholarly introductions and apparatus by Ben Saunders offer further insight into the enduring significance of The Amazing Spider-Man and classic Marvel comics.

The Penguin Classics black spine paperback features full-colour art throughout.

The Penguin Classics Marvel Collection presents the origin stories, seminal tales, and characters of the Marvel Universe to explore Marvel's transformative and timeless influence on an entire genre of fantasy.

It is impossible to imagine American popular culture without Marvel Comics. For decades, Marvel has published groundbreaking visual narratives that sustain attention on multiple levels: as metaphors for the experience of difference and otherness; as meditations on the fluid nature of identity; and as high-water marks in the artistic tradition of American cartooning, to name a few.

This anthology contains twelve key stories from the first two years of Spider-Man's publication history (from 1962 to 1964). These influential adventures not only transformed the super hero fantasy into an allegory for the pain of adolescence but also brought a new ethical complexity to the genre-by insisting that with great power there must also come great responsibility.

A foreword by Jason Reynolds and scholarly introductions and apparatus by Ben Saunders offer further insight into the enduring significance of The Amazing Spider-Man and classic Marvel comics.

The Deluxe Hardcover edition features gold foil stamping, gold top stain edges, special endpapers with artwork spotlighting series villains, and full-colour art throughout.

He's the most amazing, spectacular, sensational hero in all the Marvel-Verse - your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man! And he's swinging into action in these incredible adventures! First, enjoy a modern spin on Spidey's classic origin tale of power and responsibility, as a spider bite transforms the life of unpopular teen Peter Parker - for better and worse! Then, to save the life of his beloved Aunt May, Spidey must triumph against impossible odds and overcome an army of Doctor Octopus' goons in a character-defining classic from the legendary team of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko! And if that wasn't enough, the wallcrawler faces all his deadliest enemies - Doc Ock, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Sandman, Electro and Vulture - banded together as the Sinister Six!

Working With Ditko takes a unique and nostalgic journey through comics’ Bronze Age, as editor and writer Jack C. Harris recalls his numerous collaborations with legendary comics master Steve Ditko! It features never-before-seen preliminary sketches and pencil art from Harris’ tenure working with Ditko on The Creeper, Shade the Changing Man, the Odd Man, the Demon, Wonder Woman, Legion of Super-Heroes, The Fly, and even Ditko’s unused redesign for Batman! Plus, it documents their work on numerous independent properties, and offers glimpses of original characters from Ditko’s drawing board that have never been viewed by even his most avid fans! This illustrated volume is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the creative comic book process by one of the industry’s most revered creators, as seen through the eyes of one of his most frequent collaborators!

The stories that built the Marvel Universe, from the brilliant minds of legendary creators \- now available in an accessible new format the whole family can enjoy] Witness the birth of the green goliath known as the Incredible Hulk] Caught in the heart of a nuclear explosion, victim of gamma radiation gone wild, Dr. Robert Bruce Banner now finds himself transformed during times of stress into the dark personification of his repressed rage and fury] Is the brutish Hulk man or monster... or is he both?] Find out along with his only friend, Rick Jones, and some of his earliest, unfortunate enemies, including the terrible Toad Men, the ancient Tyrannus, the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime, and perhaps worst of all, General Thunderbolt Ross... father of Betty Ross, the woman that Bruce Banner loves

The stories that built the Marvel Universe, from the brilliant minds of legendary creators - now available in an accessible new format the whole family can enjoy] Dr. Stephen Strange is a once-brilliant surgeon whose own failings left his hands in ruins and his career in tatters. He desperately sought a cure, but found so much more instead. Now, Doctor Strange is the Master of the Mystic Arts, Earth's Sorcerer Supreme - mankind's only hope against dark and otherworldly forces] From Strange's wicked rival Baron Mordo, to the Dread Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension, prepare to have your horizons widened by the mind-boggling mystic realms on display in these strange tales from Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's spellbinding, visionary run

When Stan Lee first pitched the idea of Spider-Man in 1962, his boss was full of objections: People hate spiders. Teenagers aren't lead characters; they're sidekicks. He should be glamorous and successful, not a friendless loser. But Stan persisted and Martin Goodman let him give the unlikely hero a tryout in Amazing Fantasy, which was already slated for cancellation. With Spider-Man on the cover, No. 15 shot to the top of Marvel's best-seller list for the year, and the rest is history. Amazing Spider-Man, which debuted seven months later, broke the comics mold. Peter Parker lived in uncool Queens, was always broke, continually worried about his Aunt May, was unlucky in love, and was constantly getting yelled at by his boss, Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. Spider-Man had the quips and confidence that Parker lacked, but learning to use his powers wasn't always easy. He often seemed on the verge of defeat against the rogue's gallery of classic foes that debuted in the first couple of years: Vulture, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Lizard, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, and the Green Goblin. Much of the credit for Spider-Man's greatness goes to co-creator and artist Steve Ditko, who had a knack for portraying teenagers and their problems. His artwork infused Spider-Man with a loose-limbed energy, and, while maybe everyone was scared of spiders, Ditko made swinging through New York seem like the coolest adventure ever. This XXL-sized collector's dream, close in size to the original artworks, features the first 21 stories of the world's favorite web slinger from 1962-1964. Rather than recolor the original artwork (as has been done in previous decades' reprints of classic comics), TASCHEN has attempted to create an ideal representation of these books as they were produced at the time of publication. The most pristine pedigreed comics have been cracked open and photographed for reproduction in close collaboration with Marvel and the Certified Guaranty Company. Each page has been photographed as printed more than half a century ago, then digitally remastered using modern retouching techniques to correct problems with the era's inexpensive, imperfect printing-as if hot off of a world-class 1960s printing press. Three different paper stocks, including an uncoated and woodfree paper, were exclusively developed for this series to simulate the feel of the original comics. With an in-depth historical essay by Marvel editor Ralph Macchio, an introduction by uber-collector David Mandel, and original art, rare photographs, and other gems, these 698 pages of wall-crawling wonder will make anyone's spider-sense tingle with anticipation. (c) 2021 MARVEL About the series MARVEL COMICS LIBRARY is an exclusive, long-term collaboration between TASCHEN and Marvel. The rarest classic comics, including Spider-Man, Avengers, and Captain America are meticulously reproduced in their original glory, in extra-large format. The library offers collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lay their hands on the world's most desirable comics. Each volume includes an essay by a comic book historian along with hundreds of photos and artifacts, including rare original comic book artwork.

Meet the world's greatest heroes, as drawn by the world's greatest creatorsAn introduction to Doctor Strange for the youngest superfans-featuring art by legendary artist Steve Ditko! Power into action with Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme and Earth's best line of defense against mystical threats! Learn all about his abilities, skills, and friends in this bright and bold board book, with art from the classic comics. Vivid colors and three special gatefolds make for a fun-filled read perfect for the youngest kids and longtime Marvel fans alike.

The stories that built the Marvel Universe, from the brilliant minds of legendary creators - now available in an accessible new format the whole family can enjoy! When young Peter Parker gains remarkable abilities from a radioactive spider, he must step up and try to become a hero - while also dealing with the fantastic pressures of an everyday teenager! For with great power, there must also come great responsibility! Enjoy these stories of spectacular web-slinging adventure from Spidey's very beginning - including the tragic origin that started it all; the first appearances of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson, Doctor Octopus, the Sandman, the Vulture and Electro; and guest-star nods from the Fantastic Four and Human Torch! Relive the foundation of every amazing arachnid adventure that followed!

The third in a series of volumes collecting Spider-Man's incredible adventures in a year-by-year format for comic book readers everywhere to enjoy and discover the tales that created a legend.

The stories that built the Marvel Universe, from the brilliant minds of legendary creators - now available in an accessible new format the whole family can enjoy! Peter Parker has not been Spider-Man for very long, but the threats this newly minted hero must face are mounting quickly! Experience the debuts of Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, the Scorpion - and most dastardly of all, the Green Goblin! And as if that weren't enough, the eight-armed Doctor Octopus has returned, determined to unmask Spidey! Plus, witness the wallcrawler's first meetings with Daredevil and the Hulk, and the continuing development of his love/hate friendship with the Human Torch!

By overwhelming demand, Roy Thomas has compiled all the material on the founders of the Marvel Bullpen from three sold-out Alter Ego issues—plus over 30 new pages of content! There’s the Steve Ditko issue (#160 with a rare ’60s Ditko interview by Richard Howell, biographical notes by Nick Caputo, and Ditko tributes)! The Stan Lee issue (#161 with Roy Thomas on his 50+ year relationship with Stan, art by Kirby, Ditko, Maneely, Everett, Severin, Romita, plus tributes from pros and fans)! And the Jack Kirby issue (#170 with Will Murray on Kirby’s contributions to Iron Man’s creation, Jack’s Captain Marvel/Mr. Scarlet Fawcett work, Kirby in 1960s fanzines, plus Stan Lee and Roy Thomas on Jack)! Whether you missed these issues, or can’t live without the extensive new material on Ditko, Lee, and Kirby, it’s sure to be an Amazing, Astonishing, Fantastic tribute to the main men who made Marvel!

The second volume of the Legionnaire's incredible run is here! Discover the answers to these intriguing mysteries in Legion of Super-Heroes: Before the Darkness, an astonishing collection of action-packed episodes from acclaimed talents Gerry Conway, Paul Kupperberg, E. Nelson Bridwell, J.M. DeMatteis, Jim Janes, Steve Ditko, Jim Sherman, Frank Chiaramonte, Dave Hunt, and more! This second and final volume collects The Legion of Super-Heroes #272-283, The Best of DC: Blue Ribbon Digest #24.