In case you hadn’t heard, Marvel Comics is shaking things up a bit. With their recent rise in popularity as a brand of entertainment, Marvel likely feels it has to do something to get long-time fans interested in the books once again. One of the ways they’re causing big shake-ups is by killing off some characters, which most long-time fans see as nothing new, but in the wake, Marvel is realigning some groups (notably the Fantastic Four), and changing some identities.
That’s right, Spider-man, I’m talking about you.
Marvel announced that the Death Of Spider-man storyline arc they’re currently undergoing is going to result in someone other than Peter Parker being behind the costume, which has undergone some changes itself.
Here’s the press release so you can read about it straight from the source:
Marvel has announced that after the shocking events of Death of Spider-Man, the sold out storyline currently running through Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and Ultimate Comics Avengers Vs Ultimates, there will be a new Spider-Man and a new character under the mask. Something’s happened to Peter Parker and here comes an all-new Spider-Man…in an all-new costume!
“We called this story Death of Spider-Man for a reason,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor In Chief. “This is a huge story that’ll have fans around the world talking for a long time as we set the stage for the debut of our new Spider-Man.”
The Ultimate Universe is irrevocably changed with the conclusion to Death of Spider-Man in June’s polybagged Ultimate Spider-Man #160, but right now you can get in on the red-hot story that leads to the birth of an all-new Spider-Man, including new printings of the sold out issues: And to make sure you don’t miss a single chapter, pick up all the acclaimed issues below:
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #153 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (DEC108349)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils by SARA PICHELLI & DAVID LAFUENTE
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC 4/18/11, ON SALE 5/11/11
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #154 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (FEB118263)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils by SARA PICHELLI & DAVID LAFUENTE
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC 4/18/11, ON SALE 5/11/11
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #155 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (FEB118264)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils by CHRIS SAMNEE
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC 4/18/11, ON SALE 5/11/11
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #156 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (FEB118265)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils by MARK BAGLEY
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC 4/18/11, ON SALE 5/11/11
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #157 (FEB110524)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Rated T+ …$3.99
ON SALE NOW
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #158 (MAR110641)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC 4/25/11, ON SALE 5/18/11
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS VS. NEW ULTIMATES #1 (of 6) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (DEC108350)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC 4/25/11, ON SALE 5/18/11
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS VS. NEW ULTIMATES #2 (of 6) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAR118134)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC 4/25/11, ON SALE 5/18/11
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS VS. NEW ULTIMATES #3 (of 6) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAR118135)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC 4/25/11, ON SALE 5/18/11
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS VS. NEW ULTIMATES #4 (of 6) (MAR110639)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC 4/25/11, ON SALE 5/18/11
Interesting. Haven’t checked out any Spidey comics in years but this might just be incentive enough.
This is a shakeup in the Ultimate line of comics, which is a different continuity from the regular line of comics. The press release and the solicits at the end of the press release make it clear that this is occurring in the “Ultimate” line and not on a ‘regular’ Spider-Man title.
But your write up before hand makes no distinction between the two continuities, and thus might lead people to believe the usual mainstream Spider-Man title is undergoing a big shake up. “616-Universe” Spider-Man has already had more than its fair share of shakeups over the recent years between the ridiculous acronym-arcs of OMD, BND, and OMIT.
(response slightly edited by GN to remove inflammatory comment)