Spider-Man is popular because in many respects he was the most relatable hero to the majority of comic book readers back in the heyday of comics (1965–1985). At the core, Spider-Man is a very smart, nerdy teenager who has to deal with a lot of real-life problems that most people can relate to.
A great hero must be challenged, must face problems that cause him to exert himself and even have to be clever. Spider-Man is constantly challenged constantly faced with problems that even if less physically powerful are still things that he can’t just laugh off…although he will still quip when facing them.
