The Greatest Modern Spider-Man Story Is So Good, Even Stan Lee Would Be Impressed

Published Aug 24, 2026, 11:25 PM EDT An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com. His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023. Sign in to your ScreenRant account When it came to taking pride in the magic of comic books, Stan Lee remains one of history's most prominent figures from the scene. But despite his referral to Marvel fans as "True Believers", the truth behind said magic was far more grounded as seen in its comics, featuring flawed, troubled characters with incredible abilities designed to be relatable enough to want to cheer for. It's resulted in multiple legends with their own triumphs and struggles, from the Fantastic Four, to Tony Stark, to the most bankable superhero in the world, Spider-Man, himself being synonymous with the legacy of Stan Lee. Regardless of one's stance about Lee's contributions to the scene compared to his contemporaries like Jack Kirby or Steve Ditko, his input and leadership style, such as the Marvel Method, continue to be felt today. It led to trusting relationships with creative professionals at the top of their games, with one particular Spider-Man story honoring Lee's past, and arguably, carrying his legacy into the future. This story is fairly well-known by plenty in the circle as a gorgeous celebration of Marvel's 80th Anniversary, 2019's Spider-Man: Life Story, and it'd surely have done its most famous creative trailblazer proud. Spider-Man's Best Modern Story Celebrates Its Star's Complicated History In an ambitious retelling of the highs and lows of Peter Parker's superhero career from age 15 to 73, Spider-Man: Life Story teases Spider-Man's origins, while ultimately diving into his life across each decade of his existence. This meant that, from his humble beginnings in 1962, an obvious homage to his Amazing Fantasy #15 debut in August 1962, to his final days in 2019, the strange and occasionally mind-bending story of Earth-19529 Peter Parker would remix some truly classic storylines while keeping a close eye on the character's foundations. With great power comes great responsibility, but for this Peter Parker, this also entailed the harrowing realities of a rapidly-changing world. Spider-Man: Life Story's creative team features the following members: Writer: Chip Zdarsky Penciler: Mark Bagley Inker: John Dell Color Artist: Frank D'Armata Letterer: Travis Lanham (Virtual Calligrapher) Spider-Man: Life Story in a way was like a modern time capsule looking into the writing that went into each decade of Marvel Comics, and the sort of geopolitical woes and overarching crossover narratives that occurred. The first of six issues, set in 1966, depicts familiar characters like Flash Thompson as he goes off to fight in Vietnam, whose bullying left a searing mental scar on Peter even in his adulthood. But when confronted about what this could mean for his life, Flash would tell Peter that he's doing what he believed his idol, Spider-Man would do, unaware of Peter's secret, and how Spider-Man would indeed not fight in the war. This storyline in particular especially ties into Lee and Kirby's decision not to put Captain America in the Vietnam War, given its far more polarizing status among readers. While this story's version of Cap winds up going, he ultimately decides to protect innocent civilians in the process. It's interesting, bold, yet entirely in keeping with the Marvel mythos, while lingering on how its characters age as the decades pass. Peter does not always age gracefully, and nor do his friends. Flash going off to war, with his ultimate fate triggering each of them to enter various darker phases of their lives, including issue #2 in which Peter reunites with a troubled Harry Osborn and Mary Jane Watson. But yet, even as Peter sees better days, from his initially happy days with Gwen Stacy being upended, to enabling a dangerous symbiote in an alternate spin of the Secret Wars plotline, to having choice words with Reed Richards and a truly upsetting new uncle, he never truly loses sight of who he is. This is in spite of even actively retreating from his life at one point, only for other heroic family members to remind him of what he stands for as he ultimately ushers in a new generation of superheroes. But even though Spider-Man: Life Story is enough of a limited six-issue series to make Stan Lee proud, it's also genuinely fascinating as an incorporation both of real events and past storylines. Spider-Man: Life Story Is At Times Uplifting & Mindbending Despite an homage to a superhero utterly born out of the silliest era of comics, the Silver Age, Spider-Man often feels far more cerebral yet in tune with how its star operates. Peter Parker still makes corny jokes, but he also encounters what is often a long, sustained parade of misery seemingly hell-bent on dragging him down. His duties such as on Battleworld pulled him away from being there for the birth of his children, and being corrupted by the Venom symbiote nearly caused horrific tragedy were it not for intervention by those he trusted above all others. But even in the wake of relentless tragedy and a world rapidly changing faster than he can adjust, Peter keeps his eye on the ball, ultimately being there for his family. Yet, not everything is as clear-cut in Spider-Man: Life Story. Multiple plot points feel somewhat soap opera-esque in their delivery, yet condense messier, convoluted plotlines such as Miles Warren's creation of clones in cooperation with a fiendish plot by Norman Osborn, only for various twists and turns to create a postmodern nightmare. It is a nicely streamlined way to experience the origins of Ben Reilly alongside the psychological implications of who bears the moniker of "the true Peter Parker", while transitioning strongly back into reiterations like the Civil War storyline as a response to 9/11, in which Parker is seen humbly helping New York survivors out of the rubble. Spider-Man: Life Story is everything there is to love about the character, but also a strong distillation of Marvel as a whole. Not only is it a fascinating way for readers to see Peter Parker escape perpetual teens-to-twenties status which remains unlikely to be seen in movie form; it's a great set of nods to Marvel's long history, along with some uncalled-for jabs about Susan Storm and Namor along the way. Heroic icons of the Marvel mythos become complicated, occasionally twisted versions of themselves as they too occasionally buckle under the world's pressures. Supervillains rise, fall, and occasionally live to curse Spider-Man with their dying breaths, or indeed have their remains desecrated in pursuit of the Wall-Crawler one more time. Friendly Neighborhood Assessment · MCU Era Tom Holland'sSpider-Man Trivia 🏠Homecoming2017 ✈️Far From Home2019 🌌No Way Home2021 😈VillainsSinister… 🤖MCUAvengers THWIP! LET'S GO → 01 Before getting his own solo film, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut by being recruited by Tony Stark to help in a massive superhero conflict. In which MCU film did Holland first appear as Spider-Man? AAvengers: Age of Ultron BCaptain America: Civil War CSpider-Man: Homecoming DAvengers: Infinity War ✓ Correct! Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016), where Tony Stark visits Peter in Queens and recruits him for the airport battle against Team Cap. His quippy, starstruck portrayal instantly won over audiences. ✗ Web miss! The answer is Captain America: Civil War. Holland debuted in the 2016 film before Homecoming (2017). He was recruited by Tony Stark for the iconic airport fight scene, stealing Captain America’s shield with his webs in one of the film’s most memorable moments. NEXT → 02 In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter faces a blue-collar salvage contractor who turned to arms dealing after being shut out of the Chitauri cleanup by Damage Control. Using an alien-tech wingsuit, he becomes one of Spider-Man’s most grounded villains. Who is he? AThe Vulture (Adrian Toomes) BThe Shocker (Herman Schultz) CThe Scorpion (Mac Gargan) DThe Tinkerer (Phineas Mason) ✓ Correct! Adrian Toomes, played brilliantly by Michael Keaton, is the Vulture — a working-class father who builds a criminal empire selling alien-derived weapons. The twist that he’s the father of Peter’s date Liz is one of the MCU’s best surprises. ✗ Web miss! The answer is The Vulture (Adrian Toomes). The Shocker and Tinkerer are his henchmen in the film, and Scorpion (Mac Gargan) only briefly appears. Toomes is the main antagonist who personally confronts Peter in the unforgettable car ride scene. NEXT → 03 Tony Stark built Peter a high-tech suit loaded with features Peter didn’t even know about, including an AI assistant that helps him in combat, provides tactical analysis, and even gives dating advice. What name does Peter give this AI? AFriday BEdith CKaren DJocasta ✓ Correct! Peter names his suit’s AI “Karen,” voiced by Jennifer Connelly. She assists him with web shooter modes, reconnaissance, and even his love life. Friday is Tony Stark’s AI, and E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark satellite system that appears in Far From Home. ✗ Web miss! The answer is Karen. Friday is Tony Stark’s personal AI, E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark defense satellite Peter inherits in Far From Home, and Jocasta is an AI from the comics. Karen, voiced by Jennifer Connelly, is Peter’s suit assistant throughout Homecoming. NEXT → 04 In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter encounters a seemingly heroic figure who claims to be from an alternate Earth, battling elemental creatures across Europe. In reality, he’s a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee using advanced holographic drones. What is his real name? AWilliam Ginter Riva BAldrich Killian CJustin Hammer DQuentin Beck ✓ Correct! Quentin Beck, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is Mysterio — a master of illusion who uses Stark Industries’ B.A.R.F. holographic technology and weaponized drones to fabricate the Elementals and pose as a hero. His final act of revenge shapes the entire third film. ✗ Web miss! The answer is Quentin Beck. William Ginter Riva is one of Beck’s team members, Aldrich Killian is the villain of Iron Man 3, and Justin Hammer is from Iron Man 2. Beck is Mysterio, the illusionist who manipulated Peter’s trust across Europe. NEXT → 05 In one of the MCU’s most shocking mid-credits scenes, J. Jonah Jameson broadcasts doctored footage from Mysterio’s final moments that completely upends Peter Parker’s life. What does this broadcast reveal to the entire world? AThat Spider-Man killed Mysterio in cold blood BThat Spider-Man is Peter Parker CThat Spider-Man is a Skrull impersonator DThat Spider-Man commanded the drone attack on London ✓ Correct! Mysterio’s doctored footage, broadcast by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his iconic role), exposes Spider-Man’s identity as Peter Parker to the entire world. This revelation drives the entire plot of No Way Home as Peter desperately seeks to undo the damage. ✗ Web miss! The answer is that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. While the footage also frames Spider-Man for the London drone attack, the earth-shattering reveal is Peter’s unmasked identity being broadcast globally by The Daily Bugle’s J. Jonah Jameson. NEXT → 06 With his identity exposed and his loved ones under threat, Peter seeks help from a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell that would make the world forget he is Spider-Man. Peter’s constant modifications to the spell cause it to fracture the multiverse. Which sorcerer casts this spell? AWong BWanda Maximoff CDoctor Strange DKarl Mordo ✓ Correct! Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts the memory-wiping spell at Peter’s request, but Peter keeps asking for exceptions — for MJ, Ned, May, and Happy to still remember him. These constant changes corrupt the spell and tear open the multiverse, pulling in villains from other Spider-Man universes. ✗ Web miss! The answer is Doctor Strange. While Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and actually warns Strange against it, it is Stephen Strange who agrees to cast the spell. Wanda’s multiverse interference occurs in Multiverse of Madness, not here. NEXT → 07 Throughout all three films, Peter’s loyal best friend serves as his “guy in the chair,” helping with tech support and keeping his secret. In No Way Home, this character even discovers he can open magical portals using a Sling Ring. Who is Peter’s best friend? ANed Leeds BFlash Thompson CHarry Osborn DMiles Morales ✓ Correct! Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, is Peter’s best friend and self-proclaimed “guy in the chair.” He discovers Peter’s secret identity in Homecoming, supports him across all three films, and in No Way Home he accidentally uses Doctor Strange’s Sling Ring to open portals to other Spider-Men. ✗ Web miss! The answer is Ned Leeds. Flash Thompson is Peter’s rival and bully who ironically idolizes Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is Peter’s friend in the Raimi and Webb films but doesn’t appear in Holland’s trilogy. Miles Morales is only hinted at. Ned is the irreplaceable “guy in the chair.” NEXT → 08 At the emotional climax of No Way Home, Peter makes an enormous personal sacrifice to save the multiverse. Doctor Strange completes the spell, and when it takes effect, Peter is left completely alone. What does the final spell do? AIt sends Peter to an alternate universe where no one knows him BIt erases Spider-Man from existence entirely CIt removes Peter’s spider powers permanently DIt makes everyone in every universe forget who Peter Parker is ✓ Correct! The final spell makes every person in every universe forget that Peter Parker exists. MJ, Ned, Happy, the Avengers — everyone. Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop afterward but decides not to re-introduce himself, choosing to protect them. He starts over completely alone, sewing his own suit in a small apartment. ✗ Web miss! The answer is that everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. The spell doesn’t erase Spider-Man — people still know the hero exists — but nobody remembers Peter Parker the person. This devastating sacrifice means MJ, Ned, and even Happy Hogan have no memory of him at all. REVEAL MY SCORE → Assessment Complete Your Spider-Sense Rating / 8 Are you an Avenger — or just a friendly neighborhood bystander? ↻ SWING AGAIN Truthfully, there's little not to love about Spider-Man: Life Story. It's a brief enough read to not risk dragging on, and enough of a portal into the life of Stan Lee with Stan's Soapbox columns to feel like an organic monument to his work, alongside Steve Ditko and indeed the many comic creators who made the character great across each concerned decade. Spider-Man is still demonstrably Marvel's greatest singular superhero asset, as proven by its enormous box office success, merchandise, video games, television shows, and indeed, some truly fantastic comic books, but Life Story is an essential read for all True Believers. Spider-Man: Life Story is both out in print via local and online retailers, and can be read on-demand via Marvel Unlimited. Movie(s) Spider-Man, Spider-Man Strikes Back, Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse TV Show(s) Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Spider-Man Unlimited, Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Spider-Noir Comic The Amazing Spider-Man First Film Spider-Man First TV Show Spider-Man Genres Superhero, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age