History ComicBook / AmazingFantasyNumberFifteen

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/spider_man_first_appearance.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"''Okay, world -- Better hang onto your hat! Here comes the'' '''''Spider-Man!'''''"]]
-> ''Like costumed heroes? Confidentially, we in the comic mag business refer to them as "long underwear characters"! And, as you know, they're a dime a dozen! But, we think you may find our'' '''''Spider-Man''''' ''just a bit.... different!''
-->-- OpeningNarration from the first page, with Stan Lee himself serving as narrator

''Amazing Fantasy #15'' was the final issue in Creator/MarvelComics' AnthologyComic ''Amazing (Adult) Fantasy'' and was released on June 5th, 1962 with a publishing date of August 1962. This issue is notable for containing the first appearance of one of Marvel's most iconic superheroes, Franchise/SpiderMan and his origin story written and illustrated by Creator/StanLee and Creator/SteveDitko, with Creator/JackKirby serving as the co-illustrator on the cover of the comic.

In the story, bullied, timid teen prodigy Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider during a demonstration of atomic power at his high school. Soon enough, he develops superhuman abilities similar to a spider, like the power to crawl walls, a sixth sense of danger, incredible agility and SuperStrength. He decides to use his powers to gain fame and fortune, as well as help out his kindly aunt and uncle May and Ben Parker financially. Thus, Peter creates the costumed identity of Spider-Man. However, after appearing on television, Peter deliberately lets a robber flee into an elevator, deciding to only look out for himself from then on. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero That ends up]] [[DeathByOriginStory costing Peter greatly]] and he'll soon learn that [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility with great power comes]].... Well, you know the rest.

The issue also contains three other stories, "''The Bell-Ringer!''", "''Man in the Mummy Case!''" and "''There Are Martians Among Us!''".

!!Tropes pertaining to ''Spider-Man!''
* AccompliceByInaction: As the guard notes, Spider-Man could have easily stopped the robber, even if only by tripping him up. Instead, Spidey stands back and watches the guy escape, allowing him to get away with his crimes. This comes back to bite as the man continues his criminal activities and eventually kills Ben while robbing the Parkers' place.
* AnAesop: WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility.
* AnimatedAdaptation: "The Origin of Spider-Man", the first episode of season 2 of the [[WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967 1967 cartoon]], adapted both this issue and Spidey's retold origin from the pages of ''The Spectacular Spider-Man''[[labelnote:*]]a late-'60s magazine unrelated to the comic that would come out roughly a decade later[[/labelnote]] #1.
* BittersweetEnding: Peter catches his uncle's killer, only to find out it was the same crook he allowed to escape in a moment of selfishness. Realizing he was responsible for Uncle Ben's death, Peter leaves the crook for the police and sadly trudges away into the night. This tragedy will give the nascent superhero the initiative to use his powers to protect the people of New York City.
* BreakoutCharacter: While it ultimately wasn't enough to save ''Amazing Fantasy'', Spider-Man's popularity with readers instantly ''skyrocketed''. The character became ''so'' popular that Marvel gave him his own solo comic less than a year later, starting with a [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko run written by the same writer/artist duo]] that's still well-known today, and then kickstarting his own multi-media franchise down the road. Indeed, Stan wasn't kidding when he said "a legend is born", as Spidey is still considered one of Marvel's flagship superheroes.
* BystanderSyndrome: Peter develops a case of this after he gets his spider-powers, feeling that bothering to stop a burglar is a waste of his time, brushing off a guard angrily calling him out as the guard "pushing him around" like his high school bullies. This doesn't last long...
* TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive: Spidey, in a moment of AcquiredSituationalNarcissism, lets a burglar run by cops that were chasing him -- when he easily could've stopped him -- because he thinks having superpowers means that nobody will ever get to push him around anymore after he's had a lifetime of being pushed around. A page later, and that burglar shoots his uncle dead.
* CurbStompBattle:
** There's his amateur wrestling match with Crusher Hogan. All it takes for Peter to win is carrying the big guy with one arm and climb up a pole, causing him to admit defeat.
** Once Spidey makes it to the Acme warehouse and surprises Ben's murderer, all it takes for the former to beat him is webbing up his gun and knocking him out with a single punch.
* DeathByOriginStory: Uncle Ben dies so Peter can learn a valuable lesson.
* DevelopingDoomedCharacters: Uncle Ben obviously served as a ParentalSubstitute for Peter, always warmly greeting the kid and making sure he is happy. He even supports his nephew's scientific endeavors by buying him a new microscope he wanted. This makes his untimely demise, and Peter's reaction to it, all the more heartbreaking for readers.
* HappilyAdopted: Ben and May treat their young nephew like their own son, which Peter greatly appreciates in turn and partially drives his desire for fame as Spider-Man. This makes Ben's murder all the more tragic for him.
--> '''Peter:''' ''(thinking)'' [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe They're the only ones who've ever been kind to me.]] I'll see to it that '''they're''' always happy, but the rest of the world can go hang for all I care!
* HeroicBSOD: Peter suffers a brief one when a policeman informs him of his uncle's murder, and the comic ends on a second one as he staggers home in the dark knowing that he could have prevented it.
* {{Homage}}: The scene of Peter crying and feeling guilty over what happened to Uncle Ben [[https://batman-on-film.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/batmanpopculture.jpg is framed very similarly to]] [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} a shot of a young Bruce Wayne crying after his parents have been murdered]].
* ItsAllMyFault: Upon learning that the man who killed Uncle Ben was the burglar Peter had let escape earlier...
--> '''Peter:''' My fault -- All my fault! If only I had stopped him when I '''could''' have! But I '''didn't''' -- and now -- Uncle Ben is dead....
* LaserGuidedKarma: Peter letting the burglar escape and brushing off the guard's WhatTheHellHero moment ends up costing him his dear Uncle Ben.
* MoralityPet: Aunt May and Uncle Ben both serve this role for Peter, who develops a selfish, egotistical side to him once he gains his spider-powers.
* OriginsEpisode: For Spider-Man, explaining his personality, backstory and powers.
* TheReveal: The man who shot Uncle Ben? Turns out he's the guy who Spider-Man could've stopped in a hallway, but chose not to.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: When the police officer tells Peter that the burglar is surrounded in the old Acme warehouse, Peter rushes home to put on his costume, raring to avenge his uncle.
--> '''Peter:''' ''(putting on his Spider-Man outfit)'' I know the old Acme warehouse! It's been deserted for years! A killer could hold off an army in that gloomy, old place. But he won't hold off -- '''SPIDER-MAN!'''
* SmallRoleBigImpact: The crook who killed Uncle Ben. Not even named here, and only showed up one other time, but Peter letting him get away and him killing Uncle Ben is what set Peter on the road to heroism.
* TeenGenius: The story instantly establishes Peter to be a near-prodigy in scientific matters; he makes his own web fluid and invents his iconic web-shooters once he starts creating his Spider-Man persona.
* TookALevelInJerkass: Upon becoming Spider-Man and ending up an overnight sensation on television, Peter's selfishness and vindictiveness amplify. It gets to the point that he just lets a robber run off even though he could stop him. Naturally, this comes back to bite him.
--> '''Security Guard:''' What's '''with''' you, mister?? All you hadda do was trip him, or hold him just for a minute!\\
'''Spider-Man:''' Sorry, pal! That's '''your''' job! I'm '''thru''' being pushed around -- by anyone! From now on, I just look out for number one -- That means -- '''ME!'''
* TragicMistake: Peter doesn't intervene in a burglar's escape as he thinks it isn't his problem. Shortly thereafter, it ''becomes'' his problem as the next place the crook decides to burglarize is Peter's own house- and his Uncle Ben surprises the burglar and gets shot.
* WhatTheHellHero: The security guard berates Spider-Man for not stopping the thief, especially when he ''definitely'' had the power to do so (even doing something as little as ''tripping'' him). Peter brushes him off, though he will soon regret doing so.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility: The TropeNamer, and the ultimate lesson Peter learns at the end of the story.
----
->''And a lean, silent figure slowly fades into the gathering darkness, aware at last that in this world, '''with great power, there must also come--great responsibility!''' And so a legend is born and a new name is added to the roster of those who make the world of fantasy the most exciting realm of all!''
-->-- TheStinger, as written by Stan Lee
----

''Amazing Fantasy #15'' was the final issue in Creator/MarvelComics' AnthologyComic, ''Amazing (Adult) Fantasy'' and was released on June 5th, 1962 with a publishing date of August 1962. This issue is notable for containing the first appearance of one of Marvel's most iconic superheroes, Franchise/SpiderMan and his origin story written and illustrated by Creator/StanLee and Creator/SteveDitko, with Creator/JackKirby serving as the co-illustrator on the cover of the comic.

* ComesGreatResponsibility: The TropeNamer, though the exact quote doesn’t originate here.

In the story, bullied, timid teen prodigy Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider during a demonstration of atomic power at his high school. Soon enough, he develops superhuman abilities similar to a spider, like the power to crawl walls, incredible agility and SuperStrength. He decides to use his powers to gain fame and fortune, as well as help out his kindly aunt and uncle May and Ben Parker financially. Thus, Peter creates the costumed identity of Spider-Man. However, after appearing on television, Peter deliberately lets a robber flee into an elevator, deciding to only look out for himself from then on. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero That ends up]] [[DeathByOriginStory costing Peter greatly]] and he'll soon learn that [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility with great power comes]].... Well, you know the rest.

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility: ''Obviously!'' This is the ultimate lesson Peter learns in the end of the story.

* HeroicBSOD: Peter suffers a brief one when a policeman informs him of his uncle's murder.

In the story, bullied, timid teen prodigy Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider during a demonstration of atomic power at his high school. Soon enough, he ends up developing superhuman abilities similar to a spider, like the power to crawl walls, incredible agility and SuperStrength. He decides to use his powers to gain fame and fortune, as well as help out his kindly aunt and uncle, May and Ben Parker, and creates the costumed identity of Spider-Man. However, after appearing on television, Peter deliberately lets a robber flee into an elevator, deciding to only look out for himself from then on. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero That ends up]] [[DeathByOriginStory costing Peter greatly]] and he'll soon learn that [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility with great power comes]].... Well, you know the rest.

** Once Spidey makes it the Acme warehouse and surprises Ben's murderer, all it takes for the former to beat him is webbing up his gun and knocking him out with a single punch.

* BreakoutCharacter: While it ultimately wasn't enough to save ''Amazing Fantasy'', Spider-Man's popularity with readers instantly ''skyrocketed''. The character became ''so'' popular that Marvel gave him his own solo comic less than a year later, starting with a [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeDitko run written by the same writer/artist duo]] that's still well-known today, and then kickstarting his own multi-media franchise down the road. Indeed, Stan wasn't kidding when he said "a legend is born", as Spidey is still considered one of Marvel's flagship superheroes.

* BreakoutCharacter: While it ultimately wasn't enough to save ''Amazing Fantasy'', Spider-Man's popularity with readers instantly ''skyrocketed''. The character became ''so'' popular that Marvel gave him his own solo comic less than a year later, starting with a [[ComicBook/LeeDitkoSpiderMan run written by the same writer/artist duo]] that's still well-known today, and then kickstarting his own multi-media franchise down the road. Indeed, Stan wasn't kidding when he said "a legend is born", as Spidey is still considered one of Marvel's flagship superheroes.

[[caption-width-right:350:"''Okay, world-- Better hang onto your hat! Here comes the'' '''''Spider-Man!'''''"]]

* TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive: Spidey, in a moment of AcquiredSituationalNarcissism, lets a burglar run by cops that were chasing him -- when he easily could've stopped him -- because he thinks having superpowers means that nobody will ever get to push him around anymore after he's had a lifetime of being pushed around. A few pages later, and that burglar shoots his uncle dead.
* CurbStompBattle: Once Spidey makes it the Acme warehouse and surprises Ben's murderer, all it takes for the former to beat him is webbing up his gun and knocking him out with a single punch.
** Earlier, there's his amateur wrestling match with Crusher Hogan. All it takes for Peter to win is carrying the big guy with one arm and climb up a pole, causing him to admit defeat.
* DeathByOriginStory: Take a wild guess...

--> '''Peter:''' ''(thinking)'' [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe They're the only ones who've ever been kind to me]]. I'll see to it that '''they're''' always happy, but the rest of the world can go hang for all I care!

--> '''Peter:''' My fault-- All my fault! If only I had stopped him when I '''could''' have! But I '''didn't'''-- and now-- Uncle Ben is dead....

--> '''Peter:''' ''(putting on his Spider-Man outfit)'' I know the old Acme warehouse! It's been deserted for years! A killer could hold off an army in that gloomy, old place. But he won't hold off-- '''SPIDER-MAN!'''

'''Spider-Man:''' Sorry, pal! That's '''your''' job! I'm '''thru''' being pushed around-- by anyone! From now on, I just look out for number one-- That means-- '''ME!'''

-->-- TheStinger, as spoken by Stan Lee

* TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive: Spidey, in a moment of AcquiredSituationalNarcissism, lets a burglar run by cops that were chasing him -- when he easily could've stopped him -- because he thinks having powers means that nobody gets to push him around anymore. A few pages later, and that burglar shoots his uncle dead.

''Amazing Fantasy #15'' was the final issue in Creator/MarvelComics' AnthologyComic, ''Amazing (Adult) Fantasy'' and was released on June 5th, 1962 with a publishing date of August 1962. This issue is notable for containing the first appearance of one of Marvel's most iconic superheroes, Franchise/SpiderMan and his origin story written and illustrated by Creator/StanLee and Creator/SteveDitko.

* DownerEnding: Peter catches his uncle's killer, only to find out it was the same crook he allowed to escape in a moment of selfishness. Realizing he was responsible for Uncle Ben's death, Peter leaves the crook for the police and sadly trudges away into the night.

-->- TheStinger, as spoken by Stan Lee.

-->- OpeningNarration from the first page, with Stan Lee himself serving as narrator.

In the story, timid, studious and bullied teenager Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider during a demonstration of atomic power at his high school. Soon enough, he ends up developing superhuman abilities similar to a spider, like the power to crawl walls, incredible agility and SuperStrength. He decides to use his powers to gain fame and fortune, as well as help out his kindly aunt and uncle, May and Ben Parker, and creates the costumed identity of Spider-Man. However, after appearing on television, Peter deliberately lets a robber flee into an elevator, deciding to only look out for himself from then on. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero That ends up]] [[DeathByOriginStory costing Peter greatly]] and he'll soon learn that [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility with great power comes]].... Well, you know the rest.

* TeenGenius: The story instantly establishes Peter to be a near-prodigy in scientific matters; he creates his own web fluid and invents his iconic web-shooters once he starts creating his Spider-Man persona.