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Amazing Spider-Man Number 1, from 1963

Spider-man sticking to a wall with people down below shouting and pointing fingers at him in a menacing way.

Script: Stan Lee

Art: Steve Ditko

Lettering: Johnny Dee

Note: Spider-man first appeared as a feature in Amazing Fantasy #15 August! So great was your response via letters and postcards, that it was decided to give him his own magazine! A brief summary follows...

Freak!

Public Menace!

Sure, you've read many stories about many different magazine heroes! But there's never been a story like this one -- because there's never been a hero like --- Spider-man!

Peter Parker standing in his bedroom throwing the top half of his Spider-man costume to the floor.

Narrator speaking

Our scene is the bedroom of Peter Parker the teenage student whom may consider to be a shy bookworm. But, oh, if they only knew!

Peter Parker speaking

Uncle Ben is dead! And all because I was too late to save him.

My Spider-man costume! I wish there were no such thing.

Peter Parker remembering how he got his powers, there's a scene of Peter being bit by a spider, him crawling up a side of a building in his street clothes for the first time and then a picture of Spider-man clinging to a wall.

Peter Parker speaking

It all started when I was bitten by a radio-active spider...

Ouch!

And I found myself possessed of a spider's powers. So I designed a costume to go into show business and cash in!

First scene of a burglar shooting a gun in front of Aunt May, a second scene of Spider-man swinging through the city and a third scene of Spider-man handing from a wall shooting his web at the burglar and his gun.

Peter Parker narrating

But while I was busy showing off, an armed burglar fired one fatal shot at Uncle Ben when he was surprised robbing our house.

As soon as I learned what had happened, I sped through the city via my spider's web, lusting for vengeance!

Spider-man talking

He won't escape Spider-man

Peter Parker narrating

And I soon caught the killer, and turned him over to the police.

Spider-man talking

Got you!

Thief terrified

You ain't human!

Peter Parker walking down the stairs at the home he shares with this Aunt May.

Peter Parker speaking

And now, Uncle Ben is gone, and Aunt May and I are alone.

Aunt May talking to the landlord while Peter looks on from another room.

Peter Parker thinking

And what's worse, without Uncle Ben, we've no money to pay our bills.

Aunt May speaking

Please give me a little more time! I'll pay the rent next week, if you'll only wait.

Peter and Aunt May talking, Aunt May is holding onto Peter's shoulders

Narrator

And so...

Peter Parker speaking

Aunt May, there's only one thing to do. I've got to quit school and get a job.

Aunt May speaking

No Peter, you mustn't. Your uncle always dreamed of you being a scientist some day. You must continue your studies.

Peter thinking of what he might be able to do as Spider-man.

Peter thinking

But I've got to help Aunt May somehow. Wait! With my powers as Spider-man, I can do anything.

Spider-man sticking to a ceiling looking at someone putting away money.

Peter thinking

I can go anywhere. No one, nothing can stop me.

Any amount of money could be mine. Just for the taking.

Peter and Aunt May sitting in their kitchen, while Peter thinks of Aunt May visiting him in prison.

Peter thinking

But no. What am I thinking of? I'm no criminal. I'm not a thief. Besides, if I were ever arrested and imprisoned, it would break Aunt May's heart.

No! There's only one other way. I've got to perform again. I've got to bring my Spider-man act before the public once more. I'll call a booking agent tonight.

Peter Parker is working with chemistry equipment in this school, and many classmates are behind him, looking at a piece of paper and talking excitedly.

Narrator

A few days later... At school...

Student One speaks

Hey Gang. Look! Spider-man's gonna put on a show at the town hall tonight.

Student Two speaks

And the admission is only a dollar.

Student Three speaks

Let's all go!

Peter Parker speaks

Count me out, kids. I can't make it.

The group of kids leave as they make fun of Peter Parker.

Student Two speaks

We might have known. He'd rather study!

Student Three speaks

Aw, who needs that walkin' bookwork anyway.

Student Four speaks

It'll be more fun without him.