It might not be his best-known piece of media, but Peter Parker has been starring in his own newspaper comic strip since 1977. Now, the classic strips from The Amazing Spider-Man are going to be published in several hardcover volumes from IDW Publishing, the publisher announced at New York Comic Con.
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The newspaper comic was originally written by cameo master Stan Lee himself and illustrated by honored Spidey drawer John Romita. The newspaper comic introduced several unique characters and largely stuck to a different continuity from the story going on in the comic books, though many of the characters are still recognizable. Spidey fought against baddies like Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio and the Rhino while maintaining a relationship with Mary Jane Watson. In fact, The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper daily is the only continuity today where readers can find Peter still happily married to Mary Jane.
The first volume of the IDW printing will include strips from the first two years of the column's publication. As you would hope, Sunday comics are printed in full color, just like they originally ran.
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The Amazing Spider-Man is written with the same pace that newspaper comic readers might expect from more serious and dramatic strips. Unlike other comic strips that quickly set up a cheap punchline in four panels, The Amazing Spider-Man would include story arcs that would take months to complete. Now, this bit of franchise history will be available in one, neat package.
The first volume is set to go on sale early next year.
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