The Best Spider-Man Comics of 2026

If you’re looking for a story that’ll hook you, surprise and delight, and occasionally horrify you—look no further than Dan Slott’s shocking Superior Spider-Man run. This is the book that made me a Marvel reader after years as a Batman and Star Wars guy. (And it leads into the original Spider-Verse crossover event that inspired the animated films.)

Superior is based around a controversial premise: the dying Otto Octavius, Doctor Octopus, transfers his consciousness into the body of Peter Parker, taking over the life of the original Spidey and becoming “the Superior Spider-Man.” There’s drama, there’s unexpected romance, and Humberto Ramos’s art is stunning and distinctive throughout.

This wonderful Spider-Man story stars one of Marvel’s most popular characters: Miles Morales. In this standalone middle-grade graphic novel—by Justin A. Reynolds and Pablo Leon—Miles goes on a mission to discover how the disappearance of a fellow student’s father connects to a fundraiser for victims of an earthquake in Puerto Rico.

Some say the lettering is small and can be hard to read, but it’s a gorgeously illustrated book and a great option for younger readers.

In this beautiful standalone graphic novel, writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Mark Bagley chart Spider-Man’s life story from the beginning—when kind, reserved Peter Parker first gets bit by a radioactive spider in 1962—all the way to his final mission at age 72.

The events of Life Story touch on the effects of the Vietnam War, major events in Marvel history, and more. Reviewers love the story, though you may want to be somewhat familiar with the character before jumping into this one. (Spider-Man: Blue and Marvels are great primers on Spidey and the Marvel universe, respectively.) If you enjoy Zdarsky’s writing here, be sure to check out his Spectacular Spider-Man run, too.

This classic J. M. DeMatteis story is one you might want to read before playing the Spider-Man 2 game on PS5. It centers on the merciless Kraven the Hunter, who, always seeking his next great trophy kill, sets his sights on the Wall-Crawler.

This is a dark, divisive entry in the Spider-Man canon, seen through the eyes of a villain. But one thing people seem to agree on is Mike Zeck’s excellent art.

This early-nineties relaunch, written and penciled by Todd McFarlane, is filled with familiar and iconic Spider-Man images. It features characters like the Lizard, Wolverine, the Hobgoblin, Morbius the Living Vampire, and the X-Force.

Any Spider-Man fan will find something to love in this book, which contains 440 pages of historic issues and some of the most famous Marvel artwork of that era.

This is one for folks who love the villains. In this storyline, Carnage—the murderous spawn of Venom—gathers an army of Spider-Man’s foes to take the Webhead down once and for all.

Spider-Man, meanwhile, gathers a band of allies to try and fend off the evil coming his way. Black Cat, Captain America, and even Venom himself all come to Parker’s aid in this battle for the ages from some top-shelf Marvel talent.