Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
Spidey hangs up his duds - just as the Kingpin (his first appearance) launches his plan to unify the mob. Key issue that retells the origin of SM and the 'grittification' of SM villains - this book is hard to find in CGC 7.0 and above - best copy I ever saw had a round (coffee) stain on the cover!
I mean, what can anyone say? "Spider-Man No More" is an iconic issue with one of the most iconic Spidey panels in the hero's history. The only downside with #50 is that Aunt May doesn't die. Her plot armor is stronger than Iron-Man's, but as a guy once sang in some random movie:
Raindrops are falling on my head And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed Nothing seems to fit Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
So I just did me some talking to the sun And I said I didn't like the way he got things done He's sleeping on the job Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep fallin'
But there's one thing I know The blues they send to meet me Won't defeat me It won't be long 'till happiness steps up to greet me
*takes massive bite from hot-dog!*
Raindrops keep falling on my head But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red Crying's not for me 'Cause, I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free Nothing's worrying me
It won't be long 'till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red Crying's not for me, 'cause, I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
all of stan’s strengths as a writer are at the forefront of this issue. this story also partially inspired the greatest superhero movie of all time so bonus points for that.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50-52 (Spider-Man No More)
Every single arc of this comic book is a masterpiece in character-study drama; I really think it is more apt to describe The Amazing Spider-Man as a character-study of a superhero, including their everyday life and ordinary struggles, as opposed to a serialized action-thriller. Every single arc progresses Peter Parker so much further as a character — never settling for a static episodic formula, which plagues so many other comic books from this period.
This arc in particular starts off with a WHOPPER of a first issue, which could stand on its own merits as a self-contained standalone story, regardless of whatever happens in the following issues; sure, every personal development introduced is ultimately reversed by the end of the issue, but not in a way that feels unearned or like nothing consequential happens.
In fact, something VERY consequential happens;
As a matter of fact, the consequences of Peter’s actions in that issue are the springboard for the rest of the storyline! The decision he makes in that first issue is ultimately reversed, but the lasting aftermath of that decision is not. His decision leaves behind a domino effect of conflicts he has to deal with for the rest of the story-arc, and seeing him deal with the negative consequences of an earlier action is a nice callback to Amazing Fantasy #15; just as choosing not to use his powers to resulted in a negative consequence then, him choosing not to use his powers to intervene results in a negative consequence now. Lee mirroring that earlier storyline effectively allows us to compare how much Peter has changed between THAT story and THIS story.
A very powerful little character-study, of failing to act when you possess the power to act. It also furthers the already massive progression of Peter’s arc, which never fails to keep being new and active rather than passive and static.
This issue is infamous as Peter Parker hangs up the spandex and retires as Spider-Man and there were no further issues of Spider-Man; leaving the opportunity of clone sagas, deals with the devil, soft reboots, evolution into a human spider, deaths of Peter Parker, Aunt May, Flash Thompson or Gwen Stacy, all on the shelf untouched and unexplored. It’s a shame really as it turns out John Romita has an artistic son that could continue this thing had he been given the chance. I have a feeling that given time Parker and Jameson would have become good friends too.
Wildly iconic with one of the most widely-known Spider-Man panels out there, this issue was still sort of a solemn one. Peter let people’s opinions of Spider-Man get to his head, and that nearly cost him a lifetime of guilt. Spider-Man is still human, he has feelings too! But nonetheless, I feel ya, Pete. I think what makes this issue so timeless is that even though Peter had a rough patch, a moment of worthlessness (if you will), he still bounced back. And I could go on and on about this, but that’s what made it near and dear to me.
As far as Harry goes, he had a minor appearance of breaking the news to Peter about Aunt May being sick again. That was the gist of it.
well... there's that iconic cover.. a great panel showing Peter walking away in the rain ..with his costume dumped in a garbage can even the art looks upgraded. there's Kingpin.. Read this and you'll understand what Spider-Man is all about.
an absolute classic. Peter has had enough of putting his life aside for Spider-Man. He quits. He enjoys life more, spends time with Aunt May, Gwen, and studies more. JJJ publishes Spider-Man quit in the Bugle. Peter is reminded of Uncle Ben though which makes him return.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What makes this arc stand out is its commitment to exploring the person behind the mask. Spider-Man has always been a character defined by his struggles—not just against villains but against himself, his responsibilities, and the weight of his decisions. In this particular story, Peter’s internal conflict takes center stage, and it’s nothing short of riveting.
The opening issue of this arc is an absolute powerhouse, capable of standing on its own as a self-contained narrative. Peter’s decision to hang up his Spider-Man suit and walk away from his responsibilities feels monumental. While this choice is ultimately reversed, it doesn’t feel like a cop-out. Instead, it’s a springboard for a domino effect of consequences that reverberate throughout the storyline. This echoes the classic themes of Amazing Fantasy #15—the idea that with great power comes great responsibility—but with a more mature and layered approach, reflecting how much Peter has grown as a character since his debut.
What truly elevates this issue is how it forces Peter to face the fallout of his choices. The story expertly mirrors his original defining moment of inaction, showing how much he has changed while still grappling with his human flaws. The way Stan Lee uses this reflection to highlight Peter’s growth is brilliant, offering readers a chance to see the evolution of a hero in real-time.
John Romita Sr.’s artwork is breathtaking, capturing the emotional weight of Peter’s struggles and the dynamic energy of Spider-Man’s world. Every panel is rich with detail and storytelling, enhancing the depth of the narrative.
In essence, Amazing Spider-Man #50 is more than a comic about a superhero—it’s a deeply human story about failure, redemption, and the relentless push to grow, even when it’s hard. This issue proves why Spider-Man remains one of the most relatable and enduring characters in fiction.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves character-driven drama, timeless themes, and stories that challenge the notion of what superhero comics can be. This is a must-read for fans of Spider-Man and storytelling alike.
May Parker sakit lagi dan nilai akademis Peter Parker di kampus turun. Sementara itu, Jonah Jameson dengan segala upayanya terus menerus mendiskreditkan nama Spider-Man. Pusing dengan semua urusan itu, dan keinginannya untuk hidup normal, Peter Parker pensiun jadi Spider-Man. Kostumnya dibuang di tempat sampah dan berakhir di lemari pajangan di kantor Jonah Jameson. Dengan tidak adanya Spider-Man, Kingpin kembali berencana menguasai dunia kejahatan di kota. Siapa yang akan menghentikan rencana jahatnya itu?
I’d never actually read this. But I just finished a bunch of Kraven’s appearances which included issue #49, so I thought I’d go ahead and read this as it’s a classic.
It’s good. I enjoyed it. It’s a classic for a reason.
8/10 Iconic issue, cover and splash page 8 with the first appearance of the iconic Kingpin character.
Spiderman comics stand out above the others series in those years, because you care of Peter Parker daily life and all of the supporting characters that populate this series.
Stan lee scriptwriting and dialogues on this series are unique and brilliants, being this issue an example. With barely any action and no supervillains, the drama, motivations and iterations among the characters make this issue quite an enjoyable reading.
Peter's doubts, pondering the balance between his private life and his demanding Spiderman alter ego led him to a crisis and through an introspection voyage to rediscover his original motivations.
I understand the significance of this issue and I can imagine how groundbreaking it was for its time... But golly gee, fellas, the writin' sure went and done got dated! It's plum tough to take it all serious and such!
Nota 9,0. Contém uma das histórias mais icônicas da história dos Quadrinhos. O problema pra mim dela é só ter muito texto. Até pra época, esse aqui tem textos até dizer chega. E que no final ele não desiste de hora pra outra. Enfim, muito a frente do seu tempo.