Exactly 53 years ago, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced the world to Spider-Man, creating one of the most successful comic book franchises of all time.
Swinging onto the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15, Spider-Man ushered a new breed of superhero and style for the comic book fan. Except for Stan Lee, no one could have guessed what a pop culture icon was in their hands at the time.
Legend says Stan Lee’s editors loathed the idea of Spider-Man when it was first pitched. Not wanting to waste precious resources on a title that would certainly fail, Marvel dumped Spider-Man and his iconic origin story into the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15, the last issue of series that they had just cancelled.
But Peter Parker struck the heart of readers, who demanded that Spider-Man return with his own comic book. So, Amazing Spider-Man was published on March 10, 1963, kicking off what many regarded as one of the most influential comic books off all time.
Right now you can read Amazing Fantasy #15 for FREE on Marvel.com!
