Spider-Man: The Manga is a Japanesemanga written and illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami which retold the story of Spider-Man in a Japanese setting. It was originally published in Japan from January 1970 to September 1971 in Monthly Shōnen Magazine.
A junior high school student named Yu Komori (小森ユウKomori Yuu?) is bitten by a radioactive spider, which gave him spider-like powers like the U.S. Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Yu faces Japanese versions of villains such as Electro, the Lizard, and the Kangaroo. The series also featured counterparts of Aunt May, named "Mei", and J. Jonah Jameson, who is the publisher of the newspaper Yu works at.
Initially, Ikegami both wrote and drew the stories. On completion of the sixth story, Kazumasa Hirai became the writer, while Ikegami continued to provide the art. The first few stories featured analogues to several of Spider-Man's villains and supporting cast, while maintaining an altogether more moody atmosphere. The later Hirai-written stories deviated further from the source material and included scenes of sexual and gruesome imagery of a kind not seen in the original U.S. Spider-Man comics. The later stories involved less comedy, were more dramatic, and had more realistic art, reflecting Ikegami's later style.
In 1996, the books were reprinted in their original format, with the original Japanese text. The covers were updated, with all of them featuring a picture of Spider-Man holding a flower. A number on a bottom-left of the cover indicated the story arc reprinted within.[1]
The English-language version of the series was reprinted by Marvel Comics across thirty-one issues from December 1997 to April 1999. Eight out of the thirteen Japanese stories in total were fully translated, with several edits to remove some of the violent scenes. The final issue, #31, began the translation of the ninth story and was left incomplete due to the title's cancellation.[2]
Stories[]
"The Birth of Spider-Man" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #1-3)
"The Transformation of Doctor Inumaru" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #4-6)
"Too Strong a Hero" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #7-9)
"The False Spider-Man" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #10-15)
"Yu Under Suspicion" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #16-18)
"Summer of Insanity" (reprinted Spider-Man: The Manga #19-21)
"What is My Destination!"
"Woman of Winter" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #22-24)
"Strangers" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #31)
"The Mania Demon"
"Shadow of Spider-Man" (reprinted in Spider-Man: The Manga #25-30)
Mary Jane Watson • May Parker • Ben Parker • J. Jonah Jameson • Harry Osborn • Gwen Stacy • George Stacy • Black Cat • Flash Thompson • Betty Brant • Debra Whitman • Glory Grant • Liz Allan • Molten Man • Prowler • Robbie Robertson • Randy Robertson • Ben Urich • Ned Leeds • Anna Watson • Jean DeWolff • Ben Reilly • Silver Sable • John Jameson
Main:Amazing Fantasy • The Amazing Spider-Man • Marvel Team-Up • The Spectacular Spider-Man • Web of Spider-Man • Peter Parker: Spider-Man • The Sensational Spider-Man • Spider-Man's Tangled Web • The Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) • New Avengers • Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man • Amazing Spider-Man Family Other:Ultimate Spider-Man • Marvel Adventures Spider-Man • Spider-Man 2099 • Spider-Man: India • Spider-Man: The Manga • Spider-Girl • Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane • Spidey Super Stories • Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours • Spider-Woman
Other topics
Fictional character biography • Costumes • Powers and equipment • Alternate versions • In other media (Film • Television • Video games) • Storylines • Daily Bugle • Richard and Mary Parker • Symbiote
See also: Alternate versions of Mary Jane Watson • Alternate versions of the Green Goblin • Alternate versions of Venom • Fictional history of Green Goblin
Untold Tales of Spider-Man·Spider-Man: Chapter One·Spider-Man: Blue·Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil that Men Do·Trouble·Spider-Man: House of M
Outside continuity
Spider-Man 2099·Spider-Man: India·Marvel Adventures Spider-Man·Spider-Man: The Manga·Spidey Super Stories·Spider-Girl·Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane·Spider-Man: Reign·Spider-Man Unlimited·Ultimate Spider-Man
Crossovers
Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man·Superman and Spider-Man
Storylines
"Spider-Man No More!" · "Green Goblin Reborn!" · "The Six Arms Saga" · "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" · "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut!" · "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" · "The Death of Jean DeWolff" · "The Wedding!" · "Kraven's Last Hunt" · "Torment" · "Invasion of the Spider-Slayers" · "Maximum Carnage" · "Clone Saga" · "Identity Crisis" · "The Final Chapter" · "Flowers for Rhino" · "The Other" · "Back in Black" · "One More Day" · "Brand New Day" · "New Ways to Die" · "American Son" · "The Gauntlet" · "Grim Hunt" · "One Moment in Time"
Other
Ultimate Spider-Man story arcs·Astonishing Spider-Man·Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours·Marvel Tales