Steve Ditko’s crowning moment…
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As it would turn out, Steve Ditko was in the final months of his historic run on The Amazing Spider-Man, but that last stretch features some of his best work. None, however, was greater than The Amazing Spider-Man #33, released 60 years ago, on Nov. 11, 1965.
The Final Chapter! — plotted and illustrated by Ditko, with dialogue by Stan Lee — was anything but. Not for Ditko (he stuck around through April 1966’s ASM #38) nor Spidey himself (now one of the world’s most bankable superheroes). But the first five pages are the final word in crystallizing what makes Peter Parker tick — putting him up against impossible odds, where he must mine his inner strength to externalize its power.
The sequence speaks for itself:
Here are a couple of the original pages, which I saw up close at an incredible Spider-Man art exhibit some years back:
You can see the rest of the sequence’s original art here.
There are moments in Spider-Man’s life that would have a greater impact, stories that would carry greater emotional weight. But none would ever better encapsulate exactly who he is, deep down, when he has to muster all his heart, soul and sinew to carry the day.
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MORE
— The TOP 13 STEVE DITKO SPIDER-MAN Covers — RANKED. Click here.
— INSIDE LOOK: The Greatest SPIDER-MAN Art Exhibit You’ll Ever See. Click here.
November 11, 2025
ASM 33 is an all time classic. Amazing art and story. But ASM 32 may be even better from a storytelling standpoint. Still, they’re both perfect 10’s. Truly Amazing.
November 11, 2025
I recall the first time I saw that story, the grit or Peter. That has stuck with me through the decades! What a story, and the art is unparalleled!
November 11, 2025
Oh, wonderful!
November 11, 2025
Facsimile. Just do it! Ditko’s pencils were on fire.
November 11, 2025
I have stopped buying Marvel facsimiles to save money, but I would make an exception for this one!
November 11, 2025
I read this for the first time in Marvel Tales #172 (Feb. 1985), when that title was reprinting the Lee/Ditko run in order. I had no idea that this was a famous issue. There was no hype, but it blew me away, even at age 9. I didn’t realize it was a “thing” for other readers until, much, much later. Just one of those pure impactful moments of storytelling that define a character and the creators behind them.
November 11, 2025
This was such a bold story angle, and predated by many years the vibe from the James Franco movie ‘127 Hours’: One man’s solo struggle in a life-and-death predicament. And the art in this issue, I mean, come on.
November 11, 2025
Facsimile edition? Hint, hint…