I've made my love and adoration of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's run on The Amazing Spider-Man incredibly clear on this blog. I'm sure that nostalgia plays no small part in that; despite being born in the late 90s, I was first acquainted with the dazzling world of Spider-Man comics through the issues created by Lee and Ditko, and they've remained a firm favourite ever since. Returning to these stories is like coming home, or receiving a warm hug. I must have read and re-read Lee and Ditko Spider-Man more than any other piece of literature - comics are a different medium, I'm aware, but let's not split hairs.
So yes, whilst nostalgia is very much a part of it, I always like to argue that if you feel nostalgic for a piece of media, then there must have been some level of quality to that piece of media to begin with, or you would never have been drawn to it in the first place. Lee and Ditko created something truly unique and absolutely wonderful, their stories still holding up well to this very day. Obviously, it's supremely difficult for me to narrow down just five favourites from thirty-eight issues - plus two annuals - and it kills me that so many brilliant stories don't feature on this list, but somehow I forced myself to do it, and I present them here to you. If you've never read any of Lee and Ditko's run before, consider these a good primer, and I hope they encourage you to seek out more. A note: some of the spots on this list are occupied my multiple issues rather than just one; I'm counting multi-part stories as one spot, otherwise it would just be a bit unfair.
5. The Crime-Master Saga (The Amazing Spider-Man #26-27)
Probably the most Steve Ditko-esque entry on this list, the Crime-Master two-parter is an absolute masterstroke when it comes to the kind of intricate plotting, shady characters, masked mystery villains, and thrilling, no-holds-barred battles between Spider-Man and a room full of goons that Ditko did so well. The Crime-Master is a sorely underrated villain, and any appearance by the original Green Goblin is never a bad thing.
Full Review (ASM #26): https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-vol-1-26.html
Full Review (ASM #27): https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-vol-1-27.html
4. "Turning Point" (The Amazing Spider-Man #11)
Resolving a cliff-hanger that had me on tenterhooks as a kid, this remains one of my all-time favourite Spidey stories, and one that I feel is unfairly overlooked. You've got Doctor Octopus in only his second appearance, tons of excitement and intrigue, and a tragic end for not just Spider-Man, but for someone he cares for as well. An absolute classic.
Full Review: https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-11.html
3. "The End of Spider-Man!" (The Amazing Spider-Man #18)
Ditko took a tremendous risk coming up with this issue: a story in which Spider-Man doesn't actually fight anyone; he even runs away from Sandman in full view of passers-by. A risk it may have been - and one that Stan was allegedly unkeen on - but Ditko's bold experiment worked wonders, and forms the template by which every other 'Peter gives up being Spider-Man' story is based on, and personally, I don't think any have lived up to the standard set by this original.
Full Review: https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-18.html
2. "The Sinister Six" (The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1)
In the best Marvel annual of all time, we find one of Spider-Man's best stories; six of his villains team up to take him down once and for all, and he still manages to come out on top. Featuring some of Ditko's most gorgeous artwork, and a moving call-back to Uncle Ben's death - the first time this had been done since ASM #1 - this is a must-read for Spidey fans.
Full Review: https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-annual-1.html
1. The Master Planner Saga (The Amazing Spider-Man #31-33)
What else could it have been? Lee and Ditko's crowning achievement is also my favourite Spider-Man story ever. It's quintessential and cuts straight to the heart of the character; Peter refuses to give up hope no matter how dire things get, and his determination to save the life of his Aunt May is one of the most rousing and moving struggles in Spider-Man history. This storyline - particularly Issue #33 - is why the character remains so popular. He's not just a fun superhero with cool powers; he's the strength and resolve that lies within us all.
Full Review (ASM #31): https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-vol-1-31.html
Full Review (ASM #32): https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-vol-1-32.html
Full Review (ASM #33): https://crawlingthewallsblog.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-amazing-spider-man-vol-1-33.html
Honourable Mentions
"The Enforcers" from The Amazing Spider-Man #10
"The Coming of the Scorpion" from The Amazing Spider-Man #20
"The Goblin and the Gangsters" from The Amazing Spider-Man #23
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