• Spider-Man has been one of the most recognized and enduring comic book superheroes for over 30 years. The Spider-Man character has also appeared in televisions shows, films, video games, and numerous other forms of merchandise.

  Spider-Man will make his Broadway debut in Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark which opens on February 18, 2010 at the Hilton Theatre.msn music: Bono, the Edge to Write Score for Broadway 'Spider-Man' (February 24, 2009)

• 1. First appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15
  2. Date of first appearance: August 1962
  3. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
  4. True identity: Peter Parker
  5. Powers: Heightened agility, super strength, ability to crawl on walls, spider-sense (danger sense)
  6. Equipment: Wrist-mounted web-shooters
  7. Relatives: Wife Mary Jane Parker, aunt May Parker, uncle Ben Parker (deceased)
  8. Arch-nemeses: Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Venom and J. Jonah Jameson, editor of the Daily Bugle
  9. Occupation when not fighting crime: Photographer for the Daily Bugle
  10. Nickname: "Spidey"

• Spider-Man's Origin

  Young Peter Parker was a bit of a wallflower—he excelled in his studies at school, but was socially introverted and extremely awkward. One day, while on a field trip, he was bitten by a special spider (in the original story it was radioactive, but has since been described as a genetically altered spider) that gave him super strength, hyper-agility, and the ability to crawl on walls.

  Peter attempted to profit from his powers at first, and refused to help the police catch an escaping crook when he had the opportunity. That crook murdered his uncle Ben shortly after, and in his grief, Parker remembered his uncle's words: "With great power comes great responsibility." He vowed to use his powers for the good of humanity from then on, and began his career as Spider-Man, New York City's web-slinging superhero.

• Spider-Man and Obama

  On January 14, 2009, Marvel Comics released a special issue of The Amazing Spider-Man featuring an appearance by President-elect Barack Obama. Issue #583, which features Obama on the cover, follows Peter Parker as he is assigned to cover inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C., for the Daily Bugle. Spider-Man foils an attempt to sabotage the inauguration by an Obama imposter.Detroit Free Press: Spiderman saves Obama inauguration, in comic fashion

  Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada said the decision to feature Obama in the issue "...was a natural one after we learned the new president is a Spider-Man fan."Read Street (Baltimore.com): Obama and Spiderman

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