The Sad Spiderman meme stems from the 1967 animated Spider-Man series, specifically a scene where the superhero sits or lies dejectedly on his bed. While the original context was part of a serious plotline, internet culture repurposed the image to represent over-the-top sadness, existential crises, or relatable loneliness. It became a viral sensation on platforms like Tumblr and Reddit, often paired with humorous captions about mundane disappointments, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the retro Spidey meme genre.