Spider-Man is known for having some very iconic storylines particular to the character. Due to the proliferation of movies and TV shows about the character, some of these storylines may be quite famous as those movies or shows have adapted them. Sometimes, these storylines are relatively straightforward, and other times, they’re very strange and wacky. From having his body taken over by Doctor Octopus to the iconic black venom suit Spider-Man storyline, the Marvel hero brings out a lot of wacky fun in comic books while also fitting the character.
Other times, key comics capture Spider-Man at a particular moment that defines or redefines the character. These excellent comics might not work for an entire movie, but they’re iconic moments that the MCU should bring to the screen. Some of these moments have already been adapted, like the Spider-Man No More panel of him dumping his Spider-Suit, but many more have yet to be brought to the screen. To highlight the Webhead’s best storylines for adaptation, with more information on Into the Spider-Verse on the horizon, here are the best Spider-Man storylines from Marvel Comics for adaptation into the MCU.
10 Black Suit and Venom
Spider-Man 3 was the last movie to try and pair Peter Parker with the Venom symbiote. Unfortunately, that movie was overcomplicated by several other villains and plot lines, which didn't let the storyline play out as well as it could. Add to that the infamous way the movie handled the personality changes Peter was going through — and the infamous dance scene — and you have a movie that doesn't really satisfy those wanting to see an adaptation of the Black Suit arc.
An MCU film all about the Venom symbiote and the effects the Black Suit has on Spider-Man could be potentially much more satisfying. Sony and Disney would have to agree and work on it together, which hasn't always worked out. Sony especially has a vested interest in blocking Venom's entrance to the MCU as they have their own Venom franchise and the question of how a Black Suit arc would fit into the MCU. Peter Parker is at a place, after No Way Home, where exploring his darker side could be interesting to see on-screen.
9 Superior Spider-Man
Superior Spider-Man is a storyline in which a dying Doctor Octopus swaps his mind with Peter's, but retains Peter's moral compass and so tries to become a superior Spider-Man than his nemesis. In the comics, the story arc gave more depth to Otto Octavius, but also served to highlight how much we've taken for granted about Spider-Man. The arc has an iconic moment where Doc Ock realizes how much Peter has had to hold back his Spider Strength when fighting villains. Since we don't have an Otto in the main MCU universe, in order for this arc to exist in the movies, it would either have to be a Multiverse story, or there would have to be some way to introduce him into the MCU before the arc.
An arc like Superior Spider-Man would need a lot more groundwork than something like the Black Suit arc, as you would need to introduce Otto Octavius in a previous movie before you did the body swap, otherwise, it wouldn't really have the same impact. There's also a possibility that Superior Spider-Man could make an appearance in the upcoming Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie.
8 Dinner with J. Jonah Jameson
In Spectacular Spider-Man #6, titled "My Dinner with Jonah," J. Jonah Jameson manages to convince Spider-Man to do an interview with him in exchange for information. What starts as an interview quickly devolves into the two of them arguing about whether or not Spider-Man has actually helped the city. Towards the end of the comic, Spider-Man, feeling some empathy towards Jameson, reveals his true identity as Peter Parker to the reporter.
This arc as a whole is a great one for finally understanding some of why J. Jonah Jameson is so hostile to Spidey, and also for the emotional moment of the two finally feeling a bond of sorts between themselves. Considering Jameson is already in the MCU, it wouldn't be hard to do something like this in the MCU, and a scene or two with more emotional resonance for the reporter would be great for deepening his character. J.K. Simmons' Jameson is so great that fans would almost certainly be more than happy to see more of him.
7 Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut
Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut is one of those classic David vs Goliath Spider-Man stories where Peter Parker is up against a superhero who outmatches him in terms of power and has to find a way to triumph. In this two-issue story, the Juggernaut is after psychic and Spider-Man ally Madame Web and Peter Parker has to stop him. After almost killing Madame Web, the Juggernaut is only stopped once Spider-Man manages to bury him under wet cement.
This story would be perfect to adapt for MCU's Spider-Man in a crossover movie or part of a Spider-Man film, as he doesn't have many victories against Marvel Universe villains outside his own specific rogues' gallery. Of course, Juggernaut would be a great choice for Spider-Man to fight, but that depends on whether the MCU finally integrates the X-Men. There are other villains the webhead has fought in the comics that would pit him as the underdog, from the Hulk to Firelord, one of Galactus' heralds. It would be great to see an example of how Tom Holland's Peter can persevere despite impossible odds.
6 Back in Black
In Back in Black, Spider-Man becomes enraged after Aunt May is shot and dons a black suit reminiscent of his Venom suit and begins going after the people who shot her with gritty violence. Perhaps the most difficult-to-adapt storyline for the MCU, as all the problems afflicting a potential Venom-related Spider-Man movie also afflict this particular movie. To make matters worse, in order for Back in Black to work, Peter would have to be returning to a suit modeled after his venom suit. It wouldn't really be the same if Spider-Man just decided to wear a black suit without the venom stuff to give it context.
To make matters even more thorny, Back in Black represents Spider-Man going darker than he ever has before, which could damage our image of Peter irreparably if not handled well. The other issue is that Aunt May is technically dead in the MCU, so you can't just shoot her to trigger the arc. However, despite these difficulties, it's still an arc worth adapting to remind people that Peter can be a threat you have to take seriously rather than just a goofy guy.
5 Spider-Man and the X-Men
Spider-Man and the X-Men is a comic series that tells the story of Peter Parker becoming a teacher at Xavier's academy. What makes this story so great is that Peter is initially dismissed and distrusted by the X-Men and the class he has to teach, but eventually begins to win them over with his experience and attitude. By the end, the misfits he has to teach have become more knowledgeable about how to be a hero and why they should want to emulate Spider-Man.
It's a really great arc for proving why Spider-Man is relevant in the greater context of the Marvel universe, not because he's the most powerful Superhero but because he is a symbol and force for good. There would need to be a lot of things happening for a similar arc to occur in the MCU, not the least of which is the introduction of the X-Men, but it would be great to see in the MCU, so we see more of Peter's wisdom he's attained through being a Superhero.
4 Mister Negative
Mister Negative, aka Martin Li, has proved himself to be a uniquely interesting Spider-Man antagonist, especially considering his appearance in the Spider-Man Playstation Game. While present in multiple Spider-Man storylines, the arc of Martin Li is one of the most intriguing in Spider-Man villain history on its own. A humanitarian by day with the charity organization FEAST, Martin Li has an alternate persona known as Mister Negative who runs a crime syndicate.
Adapting the story of Mister Negative into a Spider-Man movie or show wouldn't be too hard for the MCU, as Mister Negative doesn't have a lot of baggage that would make him legally problematic or hard to integrate into the Marvel Universe. There is some stuff with the Darkforce and Lightforce, but those aren't integral to his character and can be glossed over like they were when he was introduced in Spider-Man PS4.
3 The Hobgoblin Saga
The Green Goblin has seen a lot of love in the Spider-Man movie adaptations, from the first Spider-Man movie to the latest in No Way Home, however, there hasn't been any mention of the enigmatic Hobgoblin. There have been many Hobgoblins, but much of the character's interest and mystique comes from the fact that you don't know his identity going it. This presents a unique opportunity for Marvel to play with established characters in Peter's circle to make that reveal as interesting as possible. Instead of being true to the particular many secret identities who have worn the Hobgoblin mask, it would be a great opportunity for a shocking twist. With the ending of No Way Home, it would also be a good opportunity to twist the knife of Peter losing his friends if one of them turned out to be the Hobgoblin. Alternatively, Marvel could introduce a new cast of friends for Peter and then play the mystery game with those people.
2 Spider Meets Cat
The Black Cat is perhaps the most famous Spider-Man on and off again villain, ally, and love interest who is conspicuously absent from the movie adaptations of Peter's adventures. Felicia Hardy was first introduced in Amazing Spider-Man 194 and an adaptation of that original meeting and the character at large is overdue. Peter is at the perfect place to meet new costumed allies and adversaries, as most of the friends he's ever known have forgotten he even exists. Now would be a perfect time to bring Black Cat into the MCU. Given that the Black Cat is an ally as well as a potential adversary, it makes her easier to introduce into movies as she doesn't have to immediately be an antagonist for a movie.
1 Kraven’s Last Hunt
An incredibly classic Spider-Man storyline with one of his unfairly unsung villains. Kraven the Hunter is not just a character who Spider-Man foils, but a character who can actively threaten Peter directly in many ways. Kraven's Last Hunt represents a much darker Spider-Man storyline as it's called so for a reason, having one of the darkest endings in Spider-Man comics. It might be hard to adapt the arc faithfully, but it would be worth it to see a little bit more of a dark storyline without world-ending stakes. The personal nature of the Spider-Man and Kraven conflict would be a great return to form for Spider-Man in the MCU, as Spider-Man should be dealing with more street-level, low-power conflicts.