The Spider-Verse ends, long live the Spider-Verse

Since 2014’s Into the Spider-Verse event brought together Peter Parker’s Spider-Man and his other alternate universe web swingers across the Marvel multiverse, the web warriors have often hung out in the comics. In 2018, the Spider-Geddon event coincided with the then-upcoming movie Into the Spider-Verse, and now a third event will bring things to a big, webby conclusion. Or will it…

Earlier this week, Polygon revealed End of the Spider-Verse, a new event from writer Dan Slott and a currently unknown artist that will supposedly bring the titular Spider-Verse to a “fiery conclusion,” according to a statement from the writer. “They could have milked this dairy cow for decades,” he continued. “That said, if you’re going to do it, it’s your best bet to pull out all the stops in a blaze of glory!”

But before that arrives later in the year, Slott and an alternating team of writers and artists will take the stage with a five-song miniseries anthology called Edge of Spider-Verse, due in August. Just as the original 2014 anthology introduced Spider-Gwen and Peni Parker to the world, this new series of Edge comics introduces some new Spider-heroes: Felicia Hardy, aka the “Night-Spider”, with a design by Kris Anka; Hunter-Spider by Mark Bagley, who is Kraven the Hunter but with spin powers he got in “an unusual way”; and Martin Coccolo’s Spider-Laird, whom Slott calls “the first kilt-wearing hero of the Spider-Verse,” and will hopefully catch on in the cosplay scene. Slott co-wrote the songs with writers such as Karla Pacheco (Spider-Woman) and Alex Segura (Secret Identity), featuring art by Mark Bagley and other currently undisclosed artists.

Image: Josemaria Casanovas/Marvel Comics

Since multiverses are so hot right now, and Spider-verses, in particular, are on the cusp of a resurgence, you can consider Edge and End of Spider-Verse a good warm-up to the world-hopping craziness on the horizon. But after fighting twice and defeating multiverse vampires, the question is, what will bring Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and other Spider characters back together to save their multiverse one more time? That will be revealed on the pages of the second issue of Edge.

Edge of Spider-Verse will begin its weekly five-issue release on August 3, while End of Spider-Verse has no official release date.

Want more Gizmodo news? See when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Editor’s Note: The release dates in this article are based in the US but will be updated with local Australian dates as we learn more.