This article contains SPOILERS for Amazing Fantasy #1000
The Spider-Man franchise may be over 60 years old, but Peter Parker is almost exclusively seen as a teenager or young adult - and Aunt May is to blame. The webslinger is arguably Marvel's most famous and perhaps most relatable superhero; readers empathize with his inability to balance his checkbook, his difficulties holding down a job, and his personal life constantly on the rocks thanks to his other duties. But Amazing Fantasy #1000 admits that Aunt May - not Spider-Man - is the cause of all his problems...and the reason why he'll never grow up.
Aunt May, already portrayed as elderly through Steve Ditko's artwork in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, is constantly seen as an old and frail woman with an age that hovers between 60 and 85. The character has remained a constant in Peter's life, though his many fights with various supervillains, his relationships with Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane, and the many Spider-Verse stories that included Spider-Man beginning in 2014. But Aunt May also gives Spider-Man a connection to his childhood - and so long as that exist, the character can never truly move forward in life.
In Amazing Fantasy #1000, the story "Spider-Man vs Conspirition", written by Armando Iannucci with art by Ryan Stegman, a new villain has taken control of the Daily Bugle; headlines now reveal what people want the news to show instead of what is actually happening. The villain's powers don't work on Spider-Man in the exact same manner as everyone else, but he still sees a vision of Aunt May's head chastising her nephew. "Look at you, pretending to be somebody," she says. "And all this time, I've been holding you back...me, keeping you down. Dear sweet me!!!" Spider-Man punches the visage, just in time for her to say "I'm your biggest burden. The only one you can't get rid of..."
Spider-Man's psyche (and his writers by extension) are correct: Aunt May's existence prevents the character from leaving his past behind. This has even occurred in a literal sense: 2007's Spider-Man: One More Day revolves around Peter desperately trying to save his aunt from certain death, eventually culminating in a deal with Mephisto. In a decision that would erase nearly 20 years of stories, Peter gave up his marriage with Mary Jane in exchange for Aunt May's life; the deal still stands as of 2022. Peter sacrificed his future for the sake of his past - a decision his writers continue to make with every issue.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe does not have this issue, as Aunt May notably died during Spider-Man: No Way Home. Aunt May has died in the mainline Marvel universe as well - but she is always resurrected or revealed to be a clone, illusion, or even a "genetically engineered actress" (made by the Green Goblin), and the real Aunt May is always safe and unharmed. Peter Parker may believe he needs Aunt May, but Spider-Man does not - and her continued presence is preventing him from growing as a character.