comic-book hero who was the original everyman superhero.

In Spider-Man's first story, American teenager Peter Parker, a poor, sickly orphan, is bitten by a radioactive spider. As a result of the bite, he gains superhuman strength, speed, and agility, along with the ability to cling to walls. Seeking fame and fortune, he dons a colourful costume and mask and performs in underground athletic competitions as Spider-Man. Tragically, his beloved Uncle Ben is murdered by a burglar whom Spider-Man had previously encountered but had carelessly let escape. From this experience, Peter learns that “with great power comes great responsibility” and dedicates himself to fighting crime.

Since he keeps his identity as Spider-Man a secret, Peter remains unpopular at school, perennially short of money, and generally down on his luck. Although he eventually grows up, gains a circle of friends, and gets married, the character's struggles with everyday problems were always central to Spider-Man's appeal. Many media adaptations focused on the hero's teenage years, and in 2008 Marvel Comics reversed a number of later story developments, including Peter's marriage, in an effort to return to the character's everyman roots.

Writer Stan Lee and illustrator Steve Ditko created Spider-Man in 1962 as a filler story for a canceled anthology series. At the time a teenage lead hero was unheard of in comic books. However, young readers responded powerfully to Peter Parker, prompting an ongoing title and, ultimately, a media empire, including video games, several animated and one live-action television series and, beginning in 2002, a live-action film franchise.