matthew wayne selznick

Take a fun, critical, issue-by-issue tour of the first twelve issues of The Amazing Spider-Man, the comicbook that launched one of the most enduring characters in modern mythology. Along the way, learn valuable lessons about storytelling, storyworlds, and episodic fiction that will enhance the way you look at stories in all media... and change your perspective whether you're a writer, a comic book fan, or both! 

The first issue of The Amazing Spider-Man comic book hit news stands in December of 1962. A half-century later, Spider-Man is a cultural icon and a central figure in the pantheon of modern mythological figures. Spider-Man, in all his incarnations, is also one of the most enduring—and valuable—fictional characters ever created. 

What’s… well, amazing… is that nearly every persistent element in the storyworld of The Amazing Spider-Man was established in the first twelve issues of the original comicbook! 

In Reading The Amazing Spider-Man Volume One, the author of the popular, comicbook-flavored Sovereign Era storyworld examines the roots of the Spider-Man franchise with a critical (but light-hearted) review of each story in the first twelve issues while exploring the many lessons to be found in those first issues for writers and storytellers of all kinds interested in developing an enduring storyworld and creative franchise. 

Along the way, you'll have a lot of fun reading The Amazing Spider-Man!