It's Already The End of an Exciting New Spider-Man Era

1 month ago 15

Sam Fang primarily covers news for CBR, with over a decade of experience writing about entertainment and pop culture and degrees in both journalism and art.

One of Spider-Man's most exciting eras in recent years is about to come to an end. Marvel's comic revival of the hit '90s animated Spider-Man series is teasing an explosive final issue.

Marvel's January 2026 solicits reveal that the five-issue limited series Spider-Man '94 will be drawing to a close. Written by J.M. DeMatteis with art by Jim Towe, Spider-Man '94 #5 will see the final battle between Spider-Man and Morlun play out, with the publisher teasing that fans won't believe how it ends. Kraven, Kaine and Mary Jane will also play an important part in the issue, which sees things come crashing down for Spidey. All hope isn't lost, though — the issue also teases 'one of the most heartfelt endings you'll see all year.'

Spider-Man '94 #5 (of 5)

Written by J.M. DeMatteis
Art by JIM Towe
Cover Art by Nick Bradshaw
Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
Variant Cover Art by Dan Jurgens
Marvel Animation Variant Cover also available

The exciting new era of Spider-Man draws to a close mere months after it got started. The first issue of the miniseries was released on Sept. 3, reviving the hit '90s animated series in comic form. The story began with Peter Parker swinging back into the streets of New York City with Mary Jane Watson and discovering some surprising new villains along the way.

Earlier this month, Spider-Man '94 #2 hit comic book stores, with Spider-Man left reeling after his first altercation with Kaine. The current issue teases Kaine's mysterious past as well as his connections to Morlun. As the series keeps up its action-packed pace, Marvel warned fans to 'expect the unexpected as the lore of the hit animated series continues to expand in new and exciting ways.'

In November, the third issue will see Ezekiel Sims entering the picture, as Morlun continues to plot his dark revenge and Kaine stalks the Parker family. It will also see the arrival of Kraven the Hunter, before December's issue sees Kraven taking center stage in a beastly issue releasing on Christmas Eve and leading into the epic finale.

The limited series is named after Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which originally aired on TV from 1994 to 1998. It ran for five seasons and aired 65 episodes, with its series finale introducing the 'Spider-Verse' storyline that later became popular in many Spider-Man stories. The comics pick up shortly after the cliffhanger ending of the animated series, continuing to pave the way for more stories set in the beloved show's universe.

Marvel's Spider-Man '94 Series Drew Criticism From the Show's Original Writer

Despite expanding a fan-favorite entry in the Spider-Man franchise, the new Spider-Man '94 comics have not been without controversy. Earlier this year, the show's writer and producer, John Semper, spoke out and slammed Marvel, revealing he was not involved in the comic book continuation. "Since I will no doubt be asked about it by fans of the series: NO, I am NOT involved with this comic book and no one at Marvel approached me to be involved in any way," Semper wrote in a statement on social media.

He praised Spider-Man '94's writer, but doubled down that the series isn't reflective of his own vision for continuing the animated series. "Where he now chooses to take the series story-wise is entirely his decision. But, for the record, they are NOT my creative choices, nor do they represent any oversight by me."

Spider-Man '94 #5 goes on sale this January from Marvel Comics.

Release Date 1994 - 1998

Network FOX, Fox Kids

Directors Bob Richardson

Writers John Semper Jr., Mark Hoffmeier, Meg McLaughlin, Stan Berkowitz, James Krieg, Marty Isenberg, Robert N. Skir, Sean Catherine Derek, Brooks Wachtel, Cynthia Harrison, Larry Brody, Doug Booth, Len Wein, Michael Edens, Brynne Stephens, Elliot S. Maggin, Ernie Altbacker, Evelyn Gabai, Gerry Conway, Gordon Kent, J. M. DeMatteis, Jan Strnad, Marv Wolfman, Sandy Fries