Abrams ComicArts will release Spider-Man: Panel by Panel, a new look at the early days of Spider-Man, in 2025. The long-awaited new volume is the second in ComicArts’ Panel by Panel series, which began in 2021 with Fantastic Four No. 1: Panel by Panel.
Spider-Man first swung onto the comic book pages in August 1962 with the publication of Amazing Fantasy no. 15, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and with cover art by Jack Kirby. Six decades after the comic’s publication, award-winning graphic designer Chip Kidd reimagines the iconic first story also told in The Amazing Spider-Man no. 1 from March 1963 using original vintage copies of both comic books to present these classic tales in a whole new way.
This is a panel-by-panel exploration of both entire issues that captures every single detail and nuance of Lee and Ditko’s groundbreaking story. The larger size of the volume allows oversize presentation of the art in this panel-by-panel exploration of both issues.
The book also includes text by Chip Kidd, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort, historian Peter Sanderson, and Library of Congress curator Sara Duke. Stunningly photographed by award-winning photographer Geoff Spear, Amazing Fantasy no. 15 and Amazing Spider-Man no. 1 are showcased as you’ve never seen them before—oversize and up close.
Spider-Man: Panel by Panel includes the stories from Amazing Fantasy #15 and Amazing Spider-Man #1, retold by Chip Kidd using vintage copies of the original books, plus eleven pages of original art for Amazing Fantasy #15 (with notes between Lee and Ditko in the margins), which turned up and were donated to the Library of Congress in 2008.
Chip Kidd is a graphic designer and writer and editor at large for Pantheon. A three-time Eisner Award winner, he has written and designed more than a dozen books on comics.
• Spider-Man: Panel by Panel will be released on 19th June 2025 | ISBN 9781419764011 | 384 Pages | Preorder it from your favourite bookshop via bookshop.or (Affiliate Link)
• Fantastic Four: Panel by Panel is available from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | ISBN 978-1419756153 | 208 Pages | Order it from your favourite bookshop via bookshop.or (Affiliate Link)
The first issue of Fantastic Four by legendary creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced fans to a now-iconic team of Super Heroes – Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Human Torch, and the Thing – ushering in the modern Marvel Age of comics. Kirby’s artistic contributions in this comic book revolutionized visual storytelling and brought a new reality to the way comics stories could be told, the ripple effects of which continue to influence comic book art to this day.
Chip Kidd uses an original copy of the comic book (which initially sold for ten cents and now sells for astronomical prices in good condition) to present the classic story in a whole new way that is sure to engage both lifelong fans and the latest generation of Marvel enthusiasts. The book also includes text by bestselling novelist Walter Mosley, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort, and historian Mark Evanier (Kirby: King of Comics). Stunningly photographed by award-winning photographer Geoff Spear, Fantastic Four no. 1 is showcased as you’ve never seen it before – oversized and remastered – a panel-by-panel exploration of the entire issue that captures every single detail and nuance of Lee’s story and Kirby’s groundbreaking artwork, making it a must-have for every comic book collection.
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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