Griffin Museum of Science and Industry © 2026 MARVEL

In issue 15 of Marvel Comic’s Amazing Fantasy, Peter Parker gains remarkable abilities from a radioactive spider and must deal with the need of becoming a friendly, neighborhood superhero while balancing the pressures of being an everyday teenager. For with great power, there must also come great responsibility.

Since its publication in 1962, Spider-Man would go on to become one of the most popular and commercially successful superheroes. Comic books, television shows, feature films, video games, theme park rides… and a traveling exhibition currently at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing - The Exhibition features original artwork by its legendary creators, rare comic books and behind-the-scenes looks at how the Spider-Verse has transformed in the last six decades. Artifacts include a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, rare notes and corrections from Stan Lee, concept sketches, unique merchandise and movie props.

Stepping into the exhibition feels as though one is stepping into the pages of a comic book. Bright, colorful pages come to life as guests walk through the timeline of the character. Interactive components provide in-depth storylines. Tricks of the light catch spider webs cascading down a wall. Two dimensional villains lurk around corners. The placement of each and every artifact is meticulously thought out.

For Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Head Curator Dr. Voula Saridakis, Spider-Man was part of her Saturday morning cartoon lineup. Welcoming the traveling exhibition curated by others into the museum’s space was important work that brought forth an exciting challenge.

“With so many artifacts, media and story beats, the challenge was to create a clear, engaging narrative that helps visitors move through the exhibition in a way that feels cohesive, meaningful and engaging,” she said.

Exhibiting the full arc of the character was rewarding in more ways than one. For starters, Dr. Saridakis personally got to educate herself on how expansive the Spider-Verse has become. She said it was genuinely fun to learn about the hundreds of new Spider-Man characters and see how each one adds something different to the overall story. She was also surprised to learn how collaborative the Spider-Verse has always been. While the character may be primarily associated with Stan Lee, the exhibition really highlights how many creatives - from early comic illustrators to today’s filmmakers and animators - shaped Spider-Man.

“At a certain point, you can see it register with guests that they’re not just looking at a single character, but at something that’s been evolving and staying relevant for decades,” she said. “Seeing original comic art alongside film costumes and life-size character figures creates this layered experience where people connect with Spider-Man in their own way, and then you start to see those connections shared across generations, which is very special.”

Since its opening in May 2025, more than 350,000 guests have already visited Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing - The Exhibition. Superfans have dove into the evolution, movie lovers have seen up-close looks of the iconic suits and guests of all ages have tried their hand at drawing one of the most popular superheroes.

“One of the most rewarding aspects was creating an experience that truly feels multigenerational,” Dr. Saridakis said. “Spider-Man dates back to the early 1960s, and yet he continues to capture the imagination of audiences today. Bringing together materials that resonate with visitors who grew up with the original comics together with those who know him through recent films and the Spider-Verse created an exhibition where different generations could connect through a single superhero.”

Tickets for Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing - The Exhibition are available here.