While this volume contains only 7 issues of the monthly Spider-Man comic, it's an essential item because it also contains perhaps the best 3 extended Spider-Man stories ever.

The 7 regular tales are great enough with the strong characterisation and imaginative plotting of Stan Lee and John Romita seen here at its peak but the real story is how well they and Larry Lieber up the ante when given room to move.

The introduction by Romita tells the story of the abortive first Spider-Man spin-off title The Spectacular Spider-Man. Initially intended as a more mature approach with monochrome art recalling the golden age of film noir, the second issue reverted to standard colour art before the title was abandoned with a third issue not progressing beyond a story title.

SS#1 would be substantially revamped in the monthly title in 1972 but the 1968 original is easily superior. Taking its cue from the U.S. election year, the story involves an ambitious politician Richard Raleigh and a man-monster who seems to have a vendetta against him. George Stacy stands out as one of Marvel's strongest supporting characters here (the 1972 remake would cast Joe Robertson in the role since Stacy by that stage had died). The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 is a great idea that never reached its potential apparently due to publisher Marty Goodman.

SS#2 is more in the style of a Spider-Man annual, simply an extended form of the monthly title. The gradual breakdown of Norman Osborne is depicted in the monthly stories in this volume but this is where the Green Goblin lives again. A classic but one wonders how much better it would have been in the more adult style of SS#1. The story from SS#2 would not be reprinted until years later (73 or 74) and for many fans became the Great Lost Spidey Tale.

As those 2 epics weren't enough, there's Annual #5 to round out proceedings as we finally learn the secret of Peter Parker's parents. One of Marvel's most legendary baddies appears here but it's not one of Spidey's regular opponents.

Classic 60s Spider-Man all the way. ( )