Spider-Man is one of the greatest solo superheroes in comic books, but his entire run in Marvel Comics going back to the '60s is defined by his interactions with other characters. His best relationships aren't necessarily positive. Some of the most important and consequential have been with his villains.
Spider-Man has been part of teams a few times, including the Avengers and Fantastic Four, but he's almost unique in his ability to work well paired up with another character. Sometimes those pairings are fun and positive, and other times they're fraught with tension. They're always exciting and a big factor in why the character is so successful.
Spider-Man And Doctor Octopus
The relationship between Peter Parker and Otto Octavius is one of the most contentious in Marvel Comics. Not only has Doctor Octopus gone after Spider-Man and his loved ones on multiple occasions, but he also literally killed him by dumping Peter's mind in Otto's ailing body and taking over as the Superior Spider-Man.
Their bitter rivalry is built on a strange kind of mutual respect. Both men are brilliant, with enormous potential. Both have taught each other a great deal over the course of their many battles, though it's debatable if Doctor Octopus has truly learned anything.
Spider-Man And Daredevil
Peter Parker and Matt Murdock come from different backgrounds, but share a deep love of their city and a sense of civic responsibility. That has led them to become close allies and friends. Though they're different in personality, with Spider-Man generally more upbeat compared to the somber Daredevil, they nevertheless complement each other very well.
They've fought side by side numerous times in the comics, including against mutual villains like the Kingpin. It wouldn't be all that surprising for the MCU to introduce Daredevil in the context of a Spider-Man movie.
Spider-Man And J. Jonah Jameson
J. Jonah Jameson may not be considered the best of Spider-Man villains, but he is one of the most important. Jameson's funny but still threatening antagonism toward Spider-Man is one of the cornerstones of the entire Spidey-mythos and has played a major role in every incarnation of the franchise in media. Spider-Man woefully soldiers on, working for the man who assails his character and motives, and Jameson never realizes - at least usually, depending on the story - what great value Spider-Man brings to the city and the people.
Spider-Man And Harry Osborn
For a very long time, Harry Osborn and Peter Parker were best friends. Their strong relationship took very tragic turns with the revelation that Harry's father Norman was the Green Goblin. Harry himself would become one of the most powerful variants of the Green Goblin.
Harry's grief over the death of his father and the love of his best friend would lead to one of the most dramatic storylines in the comics, leading to an adaptation in the Sam Raimi trilogy of Spider-Man movies. Though Harry hasn't shown up in the MCU yet, he still could as he is one of the most important people in Spider-Man's life.
Spider-Man And Ben Reilly
Peter Parker's relationship with Ben Reilly is one of the best and most complex in the comics because it's effectively Peter dealing with himself. At first, Peter was shocked at the idea of a clone of himself and didn't accept Ben really at all. Later, the two became close friends and allies.
The two men are in many ways brothers, a deep bond that even led Ben to sacrifice his life for Peter's. Ben Reilly has since returned and Peter is no longer distressed by the idea of a clone of himself, but relieved.
Spider-Man And Miles Morales
Comic book fans know Miles Morales took over for Peter Parker in the Ultimate Comics universe of Earth-1610. The relationship he has with the Earth-616 Peter Parker is somewhat unexpected and has been a huge benefit to both.
Peter has taken on a mentor-type relationship with Miles, and they've both learned a great deal from the experience. With Peter Parker as something of an Obi-Wan Kenobi for Miles, he continues to grow and evolve, something his Ultimate Comics counterpart never could because he sadly died at a young age.
Spider-Man And Venom
Venom started out as one of Spider-Man's most bitter enemies, but in some of the best Spider-Man comic issues of the 1990s, their relationship slowly started to change. Now the two are at best uneasy allies. They've had lots of stops and starts over the years, with the Venom symbiote connected to different hosts like Flash Thompson.
This has led to an evolution in the relationship that has allowed the two to work together, even if their techniques differ greatly. It's arguably one of the most improved relationships Spider-Man has with a former villain and one that could be explored further on the silver screen after the shocking developments in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Spider-Man And Black Cat
The Black Cat is perhaps the case example of Spider-Man's typical relationship - they're not really friends, but they're not really enemies either. The two have played cat and mouse both professionally and personally since her debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #194, and no matter what, are usually always they for each other.
Though Felicia Hardy might be too complicated for Peter Parker, she remains his good friend and supporter, and their relationship is key across most other forms of media, despite her not showing up in the MCU yet.
Spider-Man And The Human Torch
Spider-Man and the Human Torch are very close, and their bond has been a big part of the comics and animated series over the years. It didn't start out that way, with the headstrong Johnny Storm being clashing with the quippy Peter Parker. But they eventually saw how they had much more in common than they didn't.
They've teamed up on numerous occasions in the comics, as well as hang out a lot as friends. Spider-Man also once took the Human Torch's place in the Fantastic Four for a period where it seemed as if the hero had died.
Spider-Man And Aunt May
Uncle Ben is mythic in Spider-Man's life, but the cornerstone relationship for the Wall-Crawler is Aunt May. She has been his support and guidance through most of his life and adventures, even when she didn't know he was Spider-Man.
Her life has meant everything to him, to the point that he traded his marriage and his memory of his life with Aunt May for it in the controversial and consequential storyline One More Day. She remains his most important relationship in the comics sixty years after their debut, and now the MCU as well.