Who Was The First Spider Man

?

Spider-Man is arguably the most recognizable and popular superhero in the world. Since his debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler has been an enduring feature in comics, films, television shows, video games, and other media. But who was the first person to dawn the iconic red and blue suit?

The answer is: Steve Ditko.

Though it was writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby who created the concept and origin story of Spider-Man, it was the brilliant and enigmatic Steve Ditko who designed the iconic costume and look of the character.

Ditko had already contributed to Marvel Comics with the creation of Doctor Strange before Spider-Man. He knew Lee was looking for a makeover for the character, as Peter Parker had originally been drawn as a generic everyman. He felt Spider-Man had to stand out from other heroes, and designed a dynamic, acrobatic costume (including the signature webbing and red-and-blue color scheme) to emphasize his abilities.

Despite his iconic contributions to the character, Ditko left Marvel in 1965 due to creative differences with Lee, who had become increasingly dissatisfied with Ditko’s art. John Romita Sr. and John Romita Jr. later took over the artwork for Spider-Man, with Ditko only occasionally returning for specific projects.

With his unassuming, humble appearance and unstudied design, it’s hard to imagine Spider-Man without the look Steve Ditko gave him. Without his keen vision and drive, the red-and-blue spider suit could have looked very different. Today, we owe a huge debt to the comic genius of Steve Ditko and his profound influence on the iconic character of Spider-Man.