Talking to Comic Book Resources, writer Dan Slott has let slip plenty of intriguing new details and hints about what we can expect to see in upcoming installments of the "Spider-Island" arc, as well as explaining a few of the recent developments which have left Spidey fans scratching their heads - how does the Jackal still know that Peter Parker is the wall crawling superhero? Find out here! And remember, there's a lot more to be found over at the site, so be sure to click on the link below to read the interview in full.
On The Reason Why MJ Doesn't Yet Have Spider Powers Like Everyone Else:
Awww, poor Mary Jane! It's kind of a bummer, isn't it? Back in the mid-80s, on the cover to "Amazing Spider-Man Annual" #19, we saw a cover where MJ's ripping off a shirt and wearing a Spider-Man costume underneath. But it's all just a fantasy. We know she wonders what having these powers would be like. Now, in Spider-Island, we're getting to the point where everybody in Manhattan has spider powers but her. Come on! What's up with that? It's almost like there's a reason.
On How The Jackal Knows Spider-Man Is Peter Parker:
If you go back and look at the story I wrote with the Fantastic Four (that's collected in the "24/7" trade of "Amazing Spider-Man"), Peter lays out the rules of Doctor Strange's mind-wipe spell. He tells Reed Richards that it created a psychic blind spot, that even if there's a stack of evidence pointing to the fact that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, that person's mind won't let them connect the dots. Or their mind will come up with a solution that they can accept. It just won't be the right one.
Pete goes on to explain that the only way his identity can be compromised is if someone unmasks him or if he unmasks himself. In that case, that person's memories of Peter Parker being Spider-Man will all come rushing back.
So if you're the Jackal, and you're growing something that you know to be a clone of Spider-Man, and you put it in a mask and then you unmask it, you'd then know Spider-Man's secret identity. It's all there in that line -- the Jackal says, "Parker. I'll never get tired of that face, no matter how many times I've masked it, unmasked it, liquefied it or worn it like a little hat." He's fulfilled the conditions of Doctor Strange's spell.
On What We Can Expect In The Next Couple Of Issues Of Amazing Spider-Man:
Yet again, another blockbuster job by Humberto Ramos. Every page is bursting with energy. If you thought issues #667 and #668 were great, wait until you see the next two issues! "Amazing Spider-Man" #670 features some of the most gorgeous Humberto Ramos work yet! I can't wait for people to see that one. And, wow -- we're a third of the way through "Spider-Island," now! That's not easy. Hats off to the "Amazing" editorial team of Steve Wacker, Ellie Pyle and everyone who is helping out with the event. It takes a lot of coordination, effort and work to make sure that these things come out on time and in the right order. Also issue #669 is the halfway point of "Spider-Island." And like all halfway points, there will be a game changer when you reach the end of the issue!