What would be a good cheap way to be able to read all of the older issues of Spider-Man comics? I'm talking about the issues from 1-100... or whatever. Is there a way to purchase them in a PDF file format? Or, are there reprints available? Sorry, but, I'm not much of a comic connoisseur.

Any help would be appreciated.

The Essential Spider-Man 1-5

Amazon Link

Covers Amazing Spider-Man 1-113 and Annuals 1-5

The Essential collections are probably going to be your best bet... There are 5 or 6 volumes out now I believe, and I think they are up to Amazing 150 or so... About $15 per volume, which boils down to typically well under a dollar per issue of Amazing. Good way to catch up.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

the best way to read those would be to pick up the marvel masterworks line of reprints. so far they are up through #70 in 6 different volumes. the only drawback is that that they are only available in hardcover. here is a good place to pick those up:

http://www.talesofwonder.com/subcat2...atlistimage=No (if you are wondering about ordering from TOW, i can't recommend them highly enough.)

barnes and noble has a few paperback versions of masterworks although it doesn't go as far as the hardcovers.

http://browse.barnesandnoble.com/bro...&linkid=302228

edit: i did forget about the essentials, but they are only in black and white, if that makes a difference.

Marvel has put out compilation books that have (I think) 10 issues in each book. These aren't real cheap, but cheaper than getting the original comics! Since I don't buy the books (I have the comics) my knowledge is a bit shy about the specifics. Ebay might have the books at a "used" price.

You are talking about the 1-100 series that started in 1962, yes?

edited to add: Man, you guys are fast!!

I have Essential Spider-Man Vol 1-2 sitting right here beside me. I quit reading when they brought Norman Osborn back....BLASPHEMY!

Kevin brought up a good point I forgot to mention... Essentials are only black and white, which can be annoying at times and certainly isn't a perfect solution to reading older material.

That said, the alternative is what he mentioned: The Masterworks. But price/availability and other various issues would make them an alternative only if you absolutely couldn't stand reading the issues in black and white. From the sounds of it, I think the Essential collection would be your best bet.

What do "Essential" volumes consist of? Are they like a best-of thing? ANd I agree with the whole Normal Osborn thing.. bad move. But bringing back Aunt May was worse!!

Volume 1 of the Essential Spider-Man consists of Amazing Fantasy 15, and The Amazing Spider Man 1-20 and Annual 1. It's just in book format.

Amazing Fantasy 15 was Spider-Man's first appearance

And that's the only one I'm missing

Well it's in there, just in book form instead of comic book form.

I've read it - I need to own it!!

Essentials are not "best of" -- they are chronological reprintings, starting with the very first issue and continuing on for 25 or so issues in each volume. Marvel has put out a ton of Essentials -- not just Spider-Man. There's also the Hulk (2 volumes), Fantastic Four (3 volumes), X-Men (1 volume of the original X-Men and 4 volumes of the "All New, All Different X-Men" that debuted in the 70s), Thor (1 volume), Iron Man (1 volume), Avengers (3 volumes), Daredevil (2 volumes) and a ton more.

I think they are great, and a lot of times, the art looks better in black and white than it did in color (particularly in light of the coloring and printing techniques they had back in the 1960s and 70s. Right now, I'm finishing up the second volume of Dracula, and that Gene Colan art is just gorgeous in black and white.

I found the Masterworks series available in paperback, at Barnes and Noble. $12.99, cheaper on the web (the have free shipping on orders over $25), 1-4 available so far.

It is printed by them, but it is the exact contents of the hardbacks. I have 1-3 and 4 is on the way.

They have other Masterworks titles in paperback, too.

If you're at all interested in a more modern Spider-man, I highly recommend Ultimate Spider-man. It basically started a whole new continuity a few years ago and since it started, it's been either my favorite or second favorite comic out there. One writer and one artist have worked on every issue so far which really helps.

Barnes and Noble have an exclusive hardcover that contains the 3 first hardcovers for less than 1/2 the price.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...60761337&itm=1

Tales of Wonder is doing the same deal for the 3 individual hardcovers. Click on the banner on the upper right.

http://www.talesofwonder.com

Big fan of the "Essentials" series (I've got all six of the ASM volumes)... even though I've got a big part of the early "Amazing" issues poly-bagged in my closet.

First - I love being able to re-read these old stories without having to worry about wear-and-tear on a forty year old piece of newsprint.

Second - I actually enjoy the fact that they are in black and white. It gives you a greater appreciation for the art, IMHO.

These books continue to be a fantastic deal.

I don't particularly like the "essential" series. the paperstock is recycled and rather thin and cheap. the binding is really weak and could be a lot better. I like the Masterworks Paperbacks much better; the binding is strong and the paper quality is much better. The coloring is also much clearer than in the original prints.