Marvel Comics Book Club: The Origin of Spider-Man!

Gotta Go Fast!: How to Draw Your Favorite Blue Hedgehog

Seth McCombs

Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(56)

In this class students will discuss the origin of Spider-Man, as created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1962!

Class Experience

Amazing Fantasy #15 introduced the world to Spider-Man, one of the most well loved characters of the last 60 years!  This class will take the form of a structured discussion.  The instructor will introduce each topic and allow each learner a chance to contribute.  Topics will include: 
What's your favorite part of the story?  What's your favorite drawing in the story?
Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko's respective contributions to the character.
How the story holds up almost 60 years...

This class is taught in English.

Students will learn about story structure and pacing.  The theme of power and responsibility will be discussed, as will Stan Lee's approach to dialogue and Steve Ditko's approach to design and storytelling.

Students will ideally have read the story prior to class as well as having their copies accessible during class.  The instructor has no affiliation with Marvel Comics and cannot display the story on screen.

To fully participate in the discussion, students should have a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, containing the origin of Spider-Man.  This story is included in any number of print collections of early Spider-Man stories and it is likely your local library system has one of them available.  The story is also available digitally for $1.99 on Comixolgy and can be read online with a Marvel Unlimited subscription.  I offer many more classes in the Marvel Comics Book Club series and a Marvel Unlimited subscription is the easiest way to access all the stories I will be discussing!

45 minutes per week in class, and no time outside of class.

The first appearance of Spider-Man is a story intended for the children of 1963 and is tame by today's standards.  That said, the character of Spider-Man's uncle does die.  The moment is key to propelling Spider-Man to realize the responsibility that comes with his new abilities.  The murder happens off panel and the body is not shown.

Amazing Fantasy #15 
Comixology
Marvel Unlimited

Meet the teacher

Seth McCombs

Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(56)

Hello!  My name is Seth McCombs.  I am an author and illustrator of comics, graphic novels and children's books.  I am part of the Teaching Artist roster for Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and spend much of my time visiting schools and...