Spider-Manis one of the most legendary pop culture characters to ever exist, created by the brilliant mind of Marvel’s Stan Lee, who once revealed in a recently resurfaced quote that he had one hope for the character. Saying that this hope became a reality would be an understatement.
Stan Lee was, without a doubt, one of the most, if not the most, legendary comic book writers, editors, and publishers, best known for co-creating many of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes. Though Lee passed away in 2018,his legacy lives on through his creations in ways that not even he initially imagined.
A recently resurfaced quote reveals that while he had high hopes for Spider-Man, the character’s impact far exceeded his expectations:“I never thought that Spider-Man would become the worldwide icon that he is. I just hoped the books would sell and I’d keep my job.”To say Lee kept his job would be an understatement.
From Modest Expectations to Fan-Favorite Icon Ranked Among Superhero Legends
Where Does Spider-Man Rank Among Legends Like Superman & Batman?
With Spider-Man being as legendary as he is and such a major staple in pop culture, through movies, memes, comics, and more, it’s hard to believe there was ever a time when even his creatorwas just hoping the comic would sell enough to keep his job. It’s a humble beginning that feels worlds away from the hero’s current fame.
… the character claims five spots among the 20 best-selling comics of all time.
It’s equally hard to picture Spider-Man starting with such uncertainty, especially considering he now ranks as the thirdmost popular superhero of all timeaccording to Comic Vine.Only Superman and Batman surpass him,taking first and second place. For a character that began with such low expectations, landing just behind two legends is nothing short of remarkable.
And while third place is certainly impressive, fan opinion might suggest Spider-Man deserves an even higher spot. On Ranker, where fans vote by upvoting and downvoting,Peter Parker actually claims second place in popularity, just behind Batman.That says a lot about his impact, especially given how many fans feel personally connected to the web-slinger.
Spider-Man’s Record-Breaking Sales Prove Stan Lee’s Vision Went Beyond Expectations
Five of the Top 20 Best-Selling Comics of ALL-TIME Feature the Wall-Crawler’s Unstoppable Legacy
Another indicator that Spider-Man achieved Stan Lee’s one goal of selling books is the fact that the character claims five spots among the20 best-selling comics of all time. Most impressively,Spider-Man#1 (1990) holds the number five position on the list, with a staggering 2,500,000 copies sold, proof that Peter Parker’s appeal is legendary.
Spider-Man also secured spot number 11withUltimate Spider-Man#1:FCBD Edition(2002), which sold 631,990 copies. He claimed spot 13 withAmazing Spider-Man(Vol. 3) #1 (2014) at 559,200 copies, spot 15 withAmazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1)#583 (2009) at 530,500 copies, and spot 18 withThe Amazing Spider-Man#800 (2018), which sold 439,465 copies.
Looking at these numbers and the fact that Spider-Man is still thriving after 63 years makes it clear Peter Parker didn’t just meet Stan Lee’s hope. He soared past it in a way that’s almost unbelievable,cementing Lee’s legacy as being just as legendary as the wall-crawler he created.
Spider-Man Was Almost Scrapped Before His First Swing
Stan Lee’s Pitch Was Rejected, Then Became One of Marvel’s Greatest Success Stories
WhileSpider-Man’s success is undeniable, some fans may be surprised to learn thatone of the most legendary characters in comics almost got axed before he even truly began.When Stan Lee first pitched the character to Marvel Comics’ publisher, Martin Goodman, in 1962, he was met with high skepticism.
In a 2017 commencement speech to UCLA graduates, Lee recalled Goodman’s reaction:“Stan, that is the worst idea I have ever heard.First of all, people hate spiders. So you can’t call a hero Spider-Man. [Also], you want him to be a teenager? Teenagers can only be sidekicks. And you want him to have personal problems? Stan, don’t you know what a superhero is?”
Despite Goodman’s rejection, Lee and artist Steve Ditko took advantage of Marvel’s plan to kill off the dyingAmazing Adult Fantasyanthology.They pitched rebranding it asAmazing Fantasyand making Spider-Man the lead hero.That way, if the character flopped, he’d disappear along with the title.
As many Spider-Man fans know, the wall-crawler debuted inAmazing Fantasy#15 (1962), andjust one month later, Marvel realized the hero was a hit.In March 1963, Spider-Man got his own solo title:The Amazing Spider-Man#1, written by Stan Lee, with art by Steve Ditko and Sal Brodsky.
Stan Lee’s Original Vision Made Spider-Man a Teen Icon
But Today, Fans Say It’s Time for Peter Parker to Finally Grow Up
Ultimately,Spider-Man succeeded because Stan Leestayed true to his vision for the character and didn’t let naysayers influence that vision. With some brainstorming help from his wife Joan,Lee envisioned a hero that everyday teens could see themselves in, aiming to create a younger superhero who was more grounded in reality.
This brainstorming session eventually snowballed into the character we all know and love today, and someone many can still relate to. The ironic part is that Spider-Man’s relatability as a teenager, which was a major factor in his success, is now something fans criticize. Many argue that Marvel should letSpider-Mangrow up without constantly reversing his character development.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
Stan Lee
Discover the latest news and filmography for Stan Lee, known for Spider-Man and The Avengers.
