Once upon a time there was a shy teenager from Queens, a misunderstood nerd with glasses, teased by the guys at school and ignored by the girls. He was a straight-A student, who lived with his Unlce Ben and Aunt May. And his name was Peter Parker.

Making is debut in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15 sixty years ago, Peter Parker - Spider-Man - has proved to be one of the best-loved and most enduring comic characters of all time. This deluxe volume explores the wall-crawler's greatest adventures, his most loyal allies, and his deadliest battles against a rogues' gallery of the most iconic villains ever created.

With profiles of his visionary creators, including Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, John Romita Sr., and Dan Slott, along with vintage artwork from the Marvel vaults, this is the ultimate celebration of a character that has become a pop culture icon.

SPIDER-MAN: THE FIRST 60 YEARS is available to pre-order now from all good bookstores and comic shops, as well as via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

SYNOPSIS:

This deluxe book explores the comic book history of Spider-Man, from his origins in the early 1960s to an in-depth guide to his greatest adventures. The book also features the real-life stories behind the creation of his greatest foes including Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, and Venom and profiles creators who have made the character a breakthrough multimedia icon.

With stunning art from the Marvel archives, this history of Marvel's most well-known hero is a must-have reference guide to all fans of comic book heroes.

BACK COVER COPY:

Making is debut in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15 sixty years ago, Spider-Man has proved to be one of the best-loved and most enduring comic book characters of all time.

This deluxe volume explores the wall-crawler's greatest adventures, his most loyal allies, and his deadliest battles against a rogues' gallery of the most iconic villains ever created, including Doctor Octopus, Venom and the Green Goblin.

With profiles of his visionary creators, including Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, John Romita Sr., and Dan Slott, along with vintage artwork from the Marvel vaults, this is the ultimate celebration of a character that has become a pop culture legend.

INTRODUCTION:

Once upon a time there was a shy teenager from Queens, a misunderstood nerd with glasses, teased by the guys at school and ignored by the girls. He was a straight-A student, who lived with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. And his name was Peter Parker. One day fate showed up in the form of a radioactive spider bite. When a burglar broke into his house – one whom Peter had allowed to escape earlier – and killed Uncle Ben, Peter learned the hard way that with great power, there must also come great responsibility.

The story began in August, 1962 in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15 in a tale by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Marvel's most popular hero was born and his adventures have inspired generations of readers of all ages. Spider-Man has been with us for 60 years. And this is his amazing story…

CONTENTS:

THE 1960s
With great power…
Peter Parker's original sin
Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's lonely nerd
Spider-Man's enemies
John Romita Sr. a splash of glamor
Robbie, Mary Jane, and Gwen Stacy…
A mature hero: the symbol of Marvel

THE 1970s
No more teen in the USA
Terrorism and prisons: Stan Lee's political engagement
The winds of war from Vietnam
"Peter Parker" the writer
Someone had to die…
A clone barges into Peter's life
New creators and matters for the heart

THE 1980s
Weddings and funerals
The Venom from the Secret Wars
Peter and Mary Jane married at last!
Fearful symmetry: The Kraven Menace
The new revolution: Todd McFarlane!

THE 1990s
Spider-Man's identity crisis
Villains, old and new
Return of the clone
A new Spider-Man, a new Peter Parker
More imposters
A new chapter

THE 2000s
A new Spider-Man for a new millennium
The black issue
Ultimate Peter
One shock after another
A brand-new day

THE 2010s
Swinging toward the future
The dawn of the Slott era
Death and guilt
Doc Ock's revenge
The other death of Peter Parker
Superior Spider-Man
Enter the Spider-Verse
The end of the Slott era
Not only amazing
A fresh start