20 Essential Comic Issues You Must Read Before You Die

17. Amazing Spider-Man #248

Batman Man Who Laughs Cover Joker
Marvel

While most of #248 is taken up by a fairly unremarkable fight between Spider-Man and Thunderball, what makes it deserve a place on this list is its backup story, The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man.

It's a simple story about Spidey meeting a young boy who is his biggest fan, but it's also a humanising take on the character that really gets to the root of who Spider-Man is and what his motivations are.

Plus, the issue's final twist that the boy is actually terminally ill makes it one of the most poignant comics ever written.

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