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When somebody says Spider-Man, most people immediately think of Peter Parker. He is the most famous spider-themed Marvel hero, one that continues to captivate both readers and viewers to this day. However, Peter might have been the first but he's not the only Spider-Man.
Many characters followed in his footsteps. Some of them were younger, some older, some heroic while others not so much. However, what they have in common is that they're very powerful, just as much as Peter Parker is, if not more. Of all the web-slinging heroes, there are several that stand out and belong among Marvel's best versions of Spider-Man.
8 Gwen Stacy
Gwen Stacy will always be known as Peter Parker's first great love who tragically died. However, her updated version is even more interesting. In an alternate universe, it's Gwen who got the powers, not Peter. The two are friends and Gwen defends Peter since his classmates bully him. Unfortunately, Peter later becomes the Lizard and dies, and Gwen gets blamed for his death.
Despite the less than ideal circumstances, Spider-Gwen, as she's known, is intelligent, brave, kind, and funny, which makes her an inspiring superhero. She became even more popular among moviegoers after appearing in the animated hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).
7 Miguel O'Hara
Marvel comics don't often portray the future as the most comforting of places. This happens in Old Man Logan that served as an inspiration for the final Wolverine movie, Logan (2017), but also in Miguel O'Hara's comics. Known as Spider-Man 2009, Miguel is a geneticist who gets his powers during an incident in the laboratory.
Miguel has it difficult since he lives in a highly controlled place, with cameras all over, especially once the hero decides to confront his company. Being an anonymous hero in such an environment is almost impossible. Miguel's intelligence as well as the high stakes he faces all make for a compelling read.
6 Miles Morales
Just like Gwen Stacy, Miles Morales also appeared in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and his existence has been hinted at in the MCU as well. Miles becomes Spider-Man after Peter Parker dies in the Ultimate Marvel universe.
Miles is even younger than Peter, and one of his worst big enemies is his own villainous uncle. Miles is highly sympathetic because of his youthful enthusiasm, and he's also very smart. He also brings back the concept of child superheroes which was still rare in the comics at the time.
5 Otto Octavius
When a villain becomes a hero, interesting things happen. Technically, Otto Octavius was in Peter Parker's body, however, since he had full control over the web-crawler, he counts. Even though the former Doctor Octopus was never as heroic as Peter, he still didn't do that badly in the role.
For one, Otto managed to build a successful company and made Peter Parker a rich man, and he also found love. Unfortunately, he was also more brutal than Spider-Man. In the end, Peter got back control over his own body, which was the end of the Superior Spider-Man, as Otto Octavius was known.
4 Ben Reilly
When Ben Reilly first appeared in the comics as Peter Parker's clone, not all fans appreciated his presence. However, over time, Ben became popular. His introduction meant that both Peter and Ben got to thinking about what makes them heroes, and who they are as people.
That was good news for all readers who like to learn more about their favorite heroes' psyches. Thanks to Ben's popularity, he eventually build his own life and got a spin-off series as the superhero Scarlet Spider. Not bad for a person who originally started out as a clone.
3 Peter Porker
By far the cutest Spider-Man (at least for those readers who like animals) is the Spider-Ham. Peter Porker started out his journey as a spider but mutated into a pig after being bitten by the radioactive May Porker (yes, really).
Peter managed to deal with the transformation and decided to become a hero. He's brave, smart, and full of humor. He spends his days fighting the animal versions of well-established Spider-Man villains, such as the Swinester Six (as opposed to the Sinister Six).
2 William Braddock
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Since Marvel is an American publisher, unsurprisingly, its most famous superheroes are usually Americans as well. But all British readers who want their own version of Spider-Man should read more about William Braddock.
Despite not being as well-known as Peter Parker, William is a powerful superhero with a lot of skills at his disposal. He has the usual spider-powers, but to top it all off, he can travel between dimensions at will, something not even Parker can do. William also works well in a team and his interactions with other heroes are some of the best moments in his comics!
1 May Parker
If the Marvel fans wondered if Peter Parker's and Mary Jane's child would have special powers, here's the answer. May Parker inherited her dad's powers and became a superhero known as Spider-Girl. Because May is in many ways like her dad – intelligent and stubborn – she and Peter clashed about May's superhero activity.
May's family issues as well as the desire to help people make her a relatable role model for many young people. And it's no wonder Spider-Girl got her own solo series that has over a hundred issues.