Spider-Man First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 and How to Identify It

Spider-Man first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 (cover date August 1962), published by Marvel, by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby. The source puts it this way: "Just the first appearance of this little character called (*checks notes*) Spider-Man.".

• This was the final issue of the series: Marvel initially rejected the concept, then later agreed to let Stan Lee print the story in what turned out to be Amazing Fantasy's final issue.
• Cover artist differs from interior artist: Stan Lee developed the issue's interior story with artist Steve Ditko, while Jack Kirby drew the cover.

• Indicia: the small print on the first page or inside cover gives the issue number, date and publisher; reprints usually say so there.
• Cover price and barcode: a price or barcode format that did not exist in the year printed means a later edition.
• Paper and staples: decades-old newsprint is tan at the edges; bright white pages on an old date are a warning sign.
• Restoration: color touch, trimmed edges and married covers are common on expensive keys; a grading service can detect them.

Shoot the front cover flat, straight on, in even light, then the indicia page and the back cover. Include the top edge and staples in one frame. The app reads the title, issue number and cover and matches it against the checks above; the indicia photo settles most reprint questions.