When Marvel Comics introduced the concept of the Spider-Verse, little did they know it would spawn an Oscar-winning movie like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. While Disney retains the merchandise rights to the web-slinger, that franchise is owned by Sony Pictures, meaning the benefits are minimal to the House of Mouse...could that explain why it's now time to end the Spider-Verse?
Marvel Comics has announced today that a new Edge of Spider-Verse limited series will be released this August. Over the course of five issues, it will introduce brand-new Spider-heroes as well as catch us up with classic favourites like Araña, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Gwen, and Spider-Man: India.
Each issue will contain three stories packed with debuts, new status quos, and seeds for an overarching saga that will set the stage for The End of Spider-Verse, a new event launching later this year. "Marvel has decided to do the unthinkable, go big, and bring the saga of the comic book Spider-Verse to a fiery conclusion," former Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott revealed to Polygon. "Yes, that’s right. Later this year we shall all bear witness to The End of the Spider-Verse!"
We're intrigued to see where this is heading, but a return to the Spider-Verse should be welcomed by fans. Marvel Comics probably won't put the concept to bed for good, but it would be no bad thing for them to focus on Peter Parker for a while, especially during this 60th anniversary year.
Check out designs for three of the new heroes we'll meet in Edge of Spider-Verse below: