Sometimes superhero comics can be frustrating. As we grow up, we want the chracters to grow alongside us, to not repeat the mistakes they'd made before. We don't really get that with modern superhero stories at the "Big Two."

That's why Spider-Man: Life Story is such an incredible tale. We get to watch Peter grow up in real time, as if he were 15 in 1962 when he was first bitten by the spider.

Today we roll through this story by comics' best boy Chip Zdarsky and iconic Spidey artist Mark Bagley as they show us the life and times of Peter Benjamin Parker.

We'll also talk about what it means to follow a character, how modern advertising created a generational shift in how we consume stories, and one of Steve Ditko's biggest regrets with the ol' Webhead.

We end with a Backup Strip featuring one of my all-time favorite Spider-Man covers.

SPOILERS ABOUND IN THIS EPISODE

Spider-Man: Life Story is available on Marvel Unlimited, and in print:

https://www.amazon.com/SPIDER-MAN-LIFE-STORY-Mark-Bagley/dp/1302917331/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7YF73O6XVFF1&keywords=spider-man+life+story&qid=1697062453&sprefix=spider-man+life+story%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-1

Amazing Spider-Man #131 is available on Marvel Unlimited and Comixology:

https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Spider-Man-1963-1998-Gerry-Conway-ebook/dp/B00ZO19CLS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10OOP9YD6KT22&keywords=amazing+spider-man+131&qid=1697062529&s=comics-manga&sprefix=amazing+spider-man+13%2Ccomics-manga%2C221&sr=1-1

RESEARCH

https://aiptcomics.com/2019/07/01/chip-zdarsky-talks-remixing-and-reverence-in-spider-man-life-story-saying-goodbye-to-the-web-slinger-and-more/

https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-steve-ditko-plot-change-regretted/

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Cover Art by Chip Zdarsky, from the Spider-Man: Life Story TPB