Spiderman Day

Spiderman Day is August 1

Spider-Man is one of the most famous superheroes, popular for his witty one-liners, relatable problems, and his genuine humble disposition. If Spider-Man is your favorite superhero, August 1 is the dedicated day to celebrate the famous web-slinger. It’s unclear why Spider-Man Day is on Aug. 1st. Unlike Spider-Man, who credits his sticky fingers and superhuman strength to a radioactive spider’s bite, Spider-Man Day’s origin story is unknown. Spider-Man was first introduced in August of 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, so perhaps August 1 was chosen to celebrate Spider-Man’s humble beginnings.

Interesting Facts about Spiderman

Spider-Man first appeared in the comic Amazing Fantasy #15 in August 1962. The series had been slated for cancellation, so publisher Martin Goodman had reluctantly allowed Stan Lee to introduce a new superhero, as there was nothing to lose, but the success of Amazing Fantasy #15 later led to the launching of the series The Amazing Spider-Man some months later.

According to britannica.com, Goodman was initially unreceptive to a teenage lead superhero with “neuroses” and “romantic deficiencies” and “concerns about money,” but Spider-Man, the so-called “everyman,” proved successful.

In the now-famous issue #15, Spider-Man has his origin story: while attending an exhibit on radioactivity, a spider descends from the ceiling between bands of radioactive ray beams and bites Peter’s wrist. He soon becomes aware of bodily changes—increased strength, sticky hands—that he begins to attribute to the spider bite. Peter takes advantage of his new-found powers, becoming a wrestler on TV and knitting his own spider-style costume and webs, later infamously allowing a burglar to escape at the TV station, refusing to look after anyone but himself. In ironic poetic justice, the criminal later kills his Uncle Ben during another robbery. The #15 issue ends with the famous quote: "And a lean, silent figure slowly fades into the gathering darkness, aware at last in this world, with great power there must also come great responsibility."

How Spiderman Day Unites People

Celebrate National Spider-Man Day by throwing a Spider-Man bash with friends and family and honoring the globally adored superhero.

Check out this recipe video from Rosanna Pansino for how to make a Spider-Man cake after you witness Spider-Man’s cake-day adventures in a video from Corridor.

Refresh your “Spidey” knowledge by reading Amazing Fantasy #15 or The Amazing Spider-Man #1, or by watching or re-watching one of the Spider-Man film series with your friends or family—there are many to pick from:

• Spider-Man (2002) was the first Spider-Man film. The movie largely follows the Amazing Fantasy #15 issue, only featuring the Green Goblin to spice-up the action. Peter Parker is bit by a radioactive spider, creates his spider suit, witnesses the death of Uncle Ben as a result of his arrogant mistake, and participates in a brutal hand-to-hand fight with the film’s villain at the movie’s close.
• Spider-Man 2 (2004) is similarly acclaimed. It features Doctor Octopus (Doc Ock) and many epic fight scenes.
• Spider-Man 3 (2007) is widely deemed by the superhero fan community as a major miss. In this film, Peter Parker faces relationship issues with Mary Jane while the threat of venom and two other villains loom large. Spider-Man 3 features the infamous “Dark Spidey.”
• Spider-Man was rebooted in 2012 with The Amazing Spider-Man. It was successful enough to acquire a sequel, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which wasn’t successful enough to spawn a third film.
• Spider-Man Homecoming (2017) reboots the series again, ditching the Spider-Man origin story and starting fresh with Iron Man and the Vulture.
• Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) deals with the aftermath of Avengers: End Game. Peter is abroad in Europe for school where he runs into the elementals and the strange Mysterio.
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is the newest animated addition to the Spider-Man franchise, featuring alternate “spider men” from alternate universes.