Spider-Man may have returned from the dead to lead Marvel's movie universe, but in the comics, the hero's next shocking twist is out: Spidey is about to be killed in the pages of his own series.
Fans might expect that kind of news to either be kept under lock and key until sole grand announcement, or be dropped by surprise in the final pages of a Spider-Man comic without warning. But strangely enough, Marvel has revealed the death of Spider-Man this September almost as an afterthought--which may be the biggest clue that things aren't exactly as they see to be. However, the book's writer confirms the death of Spider-Man explicitly... which means fans are going to want to read the tease for themselves. Not to mention mark their calendars for the issue's release on September 18th.
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To help explain the surprise reveal, solicitations for this month's issue of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11 were recently updated (via Newsarama), revealing that the return of Mary Jane in a Spidey suit of her own (including a cover image to match) would be arriving an issue earlier than previously announced. So with September's Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #12 now in need of a new plot synopsis and cover, Marvel dropped their bomb: Spider-Man will be found dead in the issue, and the cover art has yet to be publicly revealed. Thankfully, writer Tom Taylor (DCeased) took to Twitter to ease fan concerns... by confirming the death of Spider-Man in September: "Spider-Man day has been and gone. So, now's a good time to mention Spidey dies in our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #12. Sorry!"
Of course, just because Issue #12 will feature Spider-Man dying, that doesn't mean that he won't still be able to play some kind of hero on the story. And with Mary Jane becoming a version of Spidey herself in the issue immediately beforehand, the meaning of "Spider-Man dying" could have more than one tragic reading.
Until the cover art or more details are released, fans will have to rely on rumors and speculation. Obviously Marvel isn't going to kill a hero like Spider-Man for the long term (not with multiple books bearing his name currently being printed). But if there's another way to take "the death of Spider-Man," here's hoping it results in as low a body count as possible. Until then, check out the official plot synopses and new solicitation details for both upcoming issues below:
- FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #11
- Written by: Tom Taylor
- Art by: Juan Cabal
- Cover by: Andrew C. Robinson
- We haven’t seen Mary Jane Watson since #1, but that’s about to change with this almost ALL-MJ issue! MJ saves Spidey, helps Aunt May and basically saves the day. Face it, readers, you just hit the jackpot!
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- FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #12
- Written by: Tom Taylor
- Art by: Ken Lashley
- Cover by: Andrew C. Robinson
- SPIDER-MAN IS FOUND DEAD IN HIS VERY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD!!! Who did it, and why? Only Spider-Man can solve this mystery! But HOW?!
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11 will be available at your local comic book shop on August 28th, or direct from Marvel Comics. The deadly Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #12 arrives on September 18th.
Source: Tom Taylor, Newsarama