=Marvel Confirms Fan-Favorite Hero’s Death Is Final

Marvel appears to have killed off one of their biggest superheroes of all time, with no way to resurrect them. While deaths in the Marvel Universe are rarely permanent, things surprisingly seem different this time, with the events of Ultimate Endgame #4 showing an increasingly dire situation.

In a newly shared preview of Ultimate Endgame #4, Ultimate Spider-Man appears to face a permanent and irreversible fate. The character was killed by the Maker in the third issue, but Marvel fans shouldn't be holding their breath for a happy ending to somehow materialize. In the fourth issue, none other than Iron Man confirms that he can't use his time travel armor to stop Peter Parker's death or bring him back, concluding: "Peter Parker is gone."

Ultimate Spider-Man's Death Is Likely Permanent as Marvel Wraps Up Epic Run

While Ultimate Spider-Man's death is a sad development, there's also a high chance it could remain a permanent one. The Ultimate Universe is reaching its final moments and is set to be wrapped up completely by the end of Ultimate Endgame #5 — so if there is a way to bring Spidey back, it'll have to happen quickly. It certainly looks like the universe's Spider-Man is gone for good this time (or his death is setting up the universe's major final conflict that will end in his epic revival).

Ultimate Endgame #4 is written by Deniz Camp and features art by Terry Dodson and Jonas Scharf. Marvel's solicit for the issue teases that there may even be more deaths in store as the Ultimate Universe gears up for its most difficult confrontation ever. "Spider-Man meets his Maker! Time is ticking on the Ultimate Universe!!! In this penultimate issue of the most climactic superhero event EVER(!)…heroes will fall, villains will rise, and your favorite characters will be forced to make difficult sacrifices!"

While Ultimate Endgame #4 drops on May 13, fans will be left waiting until June 24 for the final issue of the series. Marvel has already teased that the conclusion will be "the end of the line." "The universe hangs by a thread as our weary heroes face their final, crushing challenge: the ultimate, cataclysmic showdown with The Maker! Everything they have fought for, everything they believe in, will be tested in this pulse-pounding, oversized final issue. There are no more retreats, no more second chances."

The Ultimate Universe Finale Officially Wraps Things Up This June

While Ultimate Endgame #1 marked the beginning of the end for Marvel's new Ultimate Universe, the publisher has been sure to send the imprint out with a bang. Following Ultimate Endgame #5 in June, an exciting Ultimate Universe Finale one-shot will also arrive on June 24, bringing all the series creators together for a 'final goodbye.'

Ultimate Universe Finale #1 is written by Camp, Chris Condon, Jonathan Hickman, Bryan Hill, and Peach Momoko and features art by Alessandro Cappuccio, Stefano Caselli, Marco Checchetto, Juan Frigeri, and Momoko once again. Details of the story are understandably being kept a secret, with some big reveals likely in store when Ultimate Endgame #5 arrives. Whether the finale will find a way to bring Spider-Man back to life remains to be seen for now.

Ultimate Endgame #4 goes on sale May 13 from Marvel Comics.