Gallery: The 50 Most Iconic Spider-Man Images

Image via Complex Original

When Spider-Man debuted in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, the character changed the pop-culture landscape forever. By combining comic book action with realistic character foibles, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s greatest creation paved the way for the type of hero that wasn’t square-jawed and muscle-bound. Beneath the mask, Peter Parker was just like most teenagers struggling to get through high school: shy, awkward, and uncertain about himself.

And since his creation, Spider-Man has gone on to star in some of the most memorable comic books in Marvel’s storied history. From the joys of beautiful jump-offs and marriage to the depths of grief and loss, Peter Parker’s soap-operatic life has unfolded on the comic book page, and it’s impossible for longtime fans not to feel personally invested in the character’s ongoing saga.

And with the release of Amazing Spider-Man #692 today, Marvel is celebrating the character’s 50th anniversary. To mark this occasion, Complex takes a look back at Spider-Man’s most memorable comic book covers, panels, and spreads in a gallery of The 50 Most Iconic Spider-Man Images.

Written by Jason Serafino (@serafinoj1)

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50. Cover of Ultimate Spider-Man #13 by Mark Bagley (2001)

49. Cover of Spider-Man: Blue #2 by Tim Sale (2002)

48. Wraparound cover of Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1 by Terry Dodson (2004)

47. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #43 by John Romita Jr. (2002)

46. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #316 by Todd McFarlane (1989)

45. “Brand New Day” begins in Amazing Spider-Man #546 by Steve McNiven (2008)

44. Cover of Web of Spider-Man #32 by Mick Zeck (1987)

43. Cover of Web of Spider-Man #1 by Charles Vess (1985)

42. Spider-Man meets President Obama in Amazing Spider-Man #583 by Phil Jimenez (2009)

41. Peter Parker reveals his identity to Tim Hammond in the classic “The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man” story from Amazing Spider-Man #248 by Ron Frenz (1984)

40. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #500 by J. Scott Campbell (2003)

39. Cover of Spectacular Spider-Man #200 by Sal Buscema (1993)

38. Cover of Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man by Ross Andru (1976)

37. Cover of Marvels #0 by Alex Ross (1994)

36. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #323 by Todd McFarlane (1989)

35. Mary Jane reveals that she knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man #257 by Ron Frenz (1984)

34. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #258 by Ron Frenz (1984)

33. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #40 by John Romita Sr. (1966)

32. The Punisher debuts in Amazing Spider-Man #129 by Gil Kane (1974)

31. Massive double-page spread from Amazing Spider-Man #500 by John Romita Jr. (2003)

30. Cover of Ultimate Spider-Man #1 by Mark Bagley (2000)

29. Cover of Spectacular Spider-Man #101 by John Byrne (1985)

28. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #252 by Ron Frenz (1984)

27. Interior page from Spider-Man #1 by Todd McFarlane (1990)

26. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #3 by Steve Ditko (1963)

25. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #300 by Todd McFarlane (1988)

24. Cover of Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics by John Romita Sr. (1991)

23. Peter Parker proposes to Mary Jane Watson in Amazing Spider-Man #290 by John Romita Jr. (1987)

22. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #39 by John Romita Sr. (1966)

21. Iconic full-page shot from “The Night Gwen Stacy Died” in Amazing Spider-Man #121 by Gil Kane (1973)

20. The Green Goblin reveals himself to Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #39 by John Romita Sr. (1966)

19. Harry Osborn dies in Spectacular Spider-Man #200 by Sal Buscema (1993)

18. Pin-up from Amazing Spider-Man #365 by Mark Bagley (1992)

17. Spidey deals with 9/11 in Amazing Spider-Man #36 by John Romita Jr. (2001)

16. Aunt May discovers that Peter is Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man #37 by John Romita Jr. (2002)

15. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #100 by John Romita Sr. (1971)

14. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #50 by John Romita Sr. (1967)

13. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #33 by Steve Ditko (1966)

12. Aunt May dies (temporarily) in Amazing Spider-Man #400 by Mark Bagley (1995)

11. Mary Jane debuts in Amazing Spider-Man #42 by John Romita Sr. (1966)

10. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man Annual #14 by John Romita Sr. (1987)

9. Spider-Man confronts his guilt about Uncle Ben in Amazing Fantasy #15 by Steve Ditko (1962)

8. The Green Goblin dies (temporarily) in Amazing Spider-Man #122 by Gil Kane (1973)

7. Cover of Spider-Man #1 by Todd McFarlane (1990)

6. Interior shot from Amazing Spider-Man #33 by Steve Ditko (1966)

5. Gwen Stacy dies in Amazing Spider-Man #121 by Gil Kane (1973)

4. Peter Parker memorably renounces Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man #50 by John Romita Sr. (1967)

3. Cover of Amazing Spider-Man #1 by Steve Ditko (1963)

2. Spider-Man makes a shocking discovery about his Uncle Ben’s killer in Amazing Fantasy #15 by Steve Ditko (1962)

1. Spider-Man makes his Marvel debut on the cover of Amazing Fantasy #15 by Jack Kirby (1962)