Guide Note

Spider-Man has been one of the most recognized and enduring comic book superheroes for over 30 years. The Spider-Man character has also appeared in televisions shows, films, video games, and numerous other forms of merchandise.

Fast Facts

1. First appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (August, 1962)
2. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
3. Real Name: Peter Parker
4. Powers: Heightened agility, super strength, ability to crawl on walls, spider-sense (danger sense)
5. Equipment: wrist-mounted web-shooters
6. Relatives: Mary Jane Parker, wife and May Parker, aunt
7. Arch-nemeses: Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Venom, J. Jonah Jameson

Young Peter Parker was a bit of wallflower: he excelled in his studies at school, but was socially introverted and extremely awkward. One day he was bitten by a special spider (in the orginal story it was radioactive, but has since been changed to a genetically altered spider), which gave him super strength, agility, and the ability to crawl on walls. He attempted to profit from his powers at first, and refused to help the police catch an escaping crook when he had the opportunity. That crook murdered his Uncle Ben shortly after, and in his grief, Parker remembered his uncle's words: "with great power comes great responsibility." He vowed to use his powers for the good humanity from then on, and began his career as Spider-man, the web-slinging hero of New York.