50 Greatest Super Heroes In Comic Book History

3. Spider-Man

(Write-up by Daniel Wood, Whatever a Spider Can Editor)

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can! Can he top our list of the 50 greatest super heroes? No he can’t. Unfortunately, our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has just fallen short — which is coincidentally why Spider-Man is one of the most enduring and loved super heroes around.

Peter Parker is the titular underdog to whom everyone can relate. Almost always, he finds himself up against insurmountable odds, but he never gives up and always manages to save the day. Let’s not forget that this is a character who has essentially sacrificed his own well being, and has lost almost everyone close to him, all so that he can live up to the lifelong lesson that “with great power comes great responsibility.”

Spider-Man is at the forefront of several of the greatest storylines in comic book history, with the iconic “Death of Gwen Stacy” ushering in a new darker, more realistic era for comic books. He currently finds himself battling an evil threat aided by hundreds of different versions of himself. If that doesn’t show people what an important character he’s been, then nothing will.

He’s teamed up with just about everyone ever in the comic book world from the Avengers and the X-Men to the Fantastic Four. Recently, he was used to help the new Ms. Marvel comic, and next year he’ll be cropping up alongside the Inhumans. Essentially, Spider-Man is the social butterfly of the Marvel universe, making wherever he is, and whoever he’s with, better as a result.

(Read More > See where Green Goblin ranks among the 50 Greatest Super Villains)

It’s also easy to overlook that Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films were also bringing super heroes to the big screen way before Marvel started forming their master plan with the Avengers. To this day, they remain some of the most successful comic book movies ever to grace our movie screens (though the less said about Sony’s current Amazing Spider-Man films, the better!).

But the biggest reason why Spider-Man has to be in the top three (and probably should be top) is simply because he is the most profitable super hero in the world. There isn’t a young child around that hasn’t had some sort of Spider-Man merchandise; whether it be a Spidey costume, a Spider-Man toy, or something else altogether, there’s no denying that Spider-Man is everywhere and that’s because he’s (almost) the best!

For more Spider-Man news, rumors and opinion, check out Whatever a Spider Can.

Next: No. 2: Look, up in the sky ...