Amazing Spider-Man Modern Era Epic Collection: The Life And Death Of Spiders

This volume is part of Marvel Comics' Modern Era Epic Collection series, an initiative designed to reprint significant runs of characters in a comprehensive, chronological trade paperback format. This specific collection compiles the work of writer J. Michael Straczynski, who took over the reins of The Amazing Spider-Man in 2001. His arrival marked a thematic shift for the character, blending gritty realism with long-form storytelling that challenged the established mythology of Peter Parker’s powers and origins.

The narratives contained in this collection are largely defined by Straczynski’s creative partnership with artist John Romita Jr. Together, they sought to modernize Spider-Man's world by grounding his personal life in contemporary New York and introducing high-concept, supernatural elements like the concept of totems. While some of these narrative choices, particularly those involving the character Morlun and the 'Spider-Totem' mythos, sparked considerable debate among long-term fans, the run remains a highly influential period in the character's history for its structural ambition and emotional focus.