The webbed wonder will meet an untimely end while saving his beloved Aunt May from the villainous Green Goblin in “Ultimate Spider-Man” No. 160, which goes on sale Wednesday.
Series writer Brian Bendis called Parker’s death “truly heroic and sacrificial,” adding that it brings his story “full circle,” since his crime-fighting career was spurred by his failure to prevent his Uncle Ben’s murder.
HOT SHOTS: Pics From Upcoming Spider-Man 4
Bendis also refuted reports that Parker would be brought back in a future story, saying, “This is the last hurrah. This is it. There’s a real point to this, and the point doesn’t work if we don’t stick to our guns.”
Marvel editor-in-chief Axel Alonso said that the death paves the way for a new character to claim Parker’s arachnid alter-ego this fall.
“There’s going to be a brand new Spider-Man” in a brand new costume, Alonso said, who will make his debut in “Ultimate Comics Fallout” in August before taking over “Ultimate Spider-Man” in September. “We’re certain readers wil fall in love with him the way they did with Peter,” Alonso said.
Traditional Parker fans, meanwhile, can still get their fix of the original hard-luck hero in Marvel’s “Amazing Spider-Man” comics, where he will still be wielding the webs in his iconic red and blue costume.