2. Spider-Man: Blue
Marvel ComicsMore than anything, Spider-Man is defined by two things: his loved ones, and the terrible fates that inevitably await them. The dream team of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, who were also behind two of our
essential Batman stories for new readers, have something of a knack for stories about the early days of superheroes. Tim Sale's artwork is bold and clean, not unlike the early comic books, and Loeb has enough experience in both the industry and life to pen tales that are by turns nostalgic, emotional and really engaging. All of which Spider-Man: Blue undoubtedly is. Retelling the story of Peter Parker's concurrent courtships of the doomed Gwen Stacy and his future wife Mary Jane Watson, the balance between web swinging action sequences and quiet, complex character moments and interactions is absolutely perfect, as Peter's relationship with both these women is properly explored for the first time. When you read Spider-Man: Blue you'll really, honestly understand the love he had for these two women, and the eventual tragedy will hit even harder than it did when you saw it happen to Emma Stone. Which is saying something. Cos we love Emma Stone. Like Ultimate Spider-Man, Blue takes an existing storyline and expands upon it, filling in the details to create a more three dimensional and mature work that's as much a wonderfully realistic love story as it is, well, Spider-Man kicking the Green Goblin in the face. Just right in it. That bit's really cool.
Where to read it: Spider-Man: Blue is available in one collected volume, and for a decent price too