Spider-Man officially turns 60 this year, and August 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of Peter Parker’s debut in Amazing Fantasy #15. Marvel Comics has announced two major new Spider-Man stories to celebrate that upcoming milestone, including the final chapter of the Spider-Verse trilogy.
First, Marvel is paying homage to Spidey’s first adventure with Amazing Fantasy #1000. This oversized anthology issue features stories from Marvel veterans like Dan Slott, Jonathan Hickman, and Rainbow Rowell, as well as newcomers like Veep creator Armando Ianucci and novelist Anthony Falcone. Even The Sandman co-creator Neil Gaiman is returning to the Marvel Universe to write a new story.
Art by John Romita, Jr. (Image credit: Marvel)
The stories in Amazing Fantasy #1000 won’t necessarily focus on Spidey’s early superhero career. Marvel teases that Slott and Jim Cheung’s story will move forward in time to explore the bond between Peter and Mary Jane, while Falcone and Michael Cho’s story will introduce a new villain to Spidey’s rogues gallery.
In addition to this anniversary special, Marvel is also teasing the third and final chapter of the multiverse epic that began with 2014’s Spider-Verse crossover. Slott is returning for a series called End of the Spider-Verse. Marvel has yet to reveal the series’ artist or how many tie-in comics may be involved.
“If you ask me, it’s crazy,” Slott told Polygon. “Why would they do this? WHY? They could have milked this spider money cow for decades. That said, if you’re going to do it, going all out in a blaze of glory is definitely the way to go!”
Meanwhile, Marvel is preparing this crossover with a new volume of Edge of Spider-Verse. Like the original 2014 series, which introduced multiversal heroes like Spider-Gwen and SP//dr, the new Edge of Spider-Verse will feature five more alternate versions of Spider-Man. Among them are the Night Spider, a version of the Black Cat who was bitten by the radioactive spider, and the kilt-wearing Spider-Laird. Take a look at the gallery of slides below for a closer look at the new characters being introduced.
The first three issues of Edge of Spider-Verse will ship in August, which could suggest End of the Spider-Verse will release in September or October. Although the animated movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was delayed again, Marvel may choose to wait until 2023 for the Spider-Verse to come crashing down.
Are you excited for the upcoming Spider-Man birthday party? Let us know if he’ll be reading any of these comics in the comments below.
To learn more about Spidey’s cinematic future, learn everything you need to know about Madame Web and run through every Spider-Man movie in development.
Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for Golden News. Let him lend a machete to your intellectual thicket following @jschedeen on Twitter.
