David Bridges
In June, fans of Spider-Man were thrilled to discover that one of the most persistent cliffhangers surrounding the iconic character is set to be resolved. For those who have been curious since 1998 about how Peter Parker managed to reunite with Mary Jane Watson, whose fate remained a mystery when Spider-Man: The Animated Series concluded, the upcoming comic Spider-Man ’94 seems to hold off on revealing the intricate details for the moment.
You may be asking, what does this mean? The official Marvel Comics press release announcing the comic hinted at an exciting adventure, stating, “After searching to the ends of the Multiverse, Peter Parker swings back into the streets of New York City with his beloved Mary Jane Watson in tow!” It also proclaimed that “legendary Spider-Scribe J.M. DeMatteis and rising star artist Jim Towe bring you the return you’ve all been waiting 30 years for!”
However, the announcement does not reveal how Peter managed to find MJ or the sacrifices required to bring her back into his life. Fans of X-Men ’97 may recall that Mary Jane made a cameo appearance in the series finale, confirming that she had indeed returned, and it was not merely a clone this time.
In an interview with CBR.com, DeMatteis shed light on what readers can anticipate from this new comic. Instead of diving directly into the action following the conclusion of The Animated Series, the narrative in Spider-Man ’94 will take place sometime later. This storytelling choice allows for deeper exploration of the characters’ journeys.
“We learn that Peter has gone to hell and back in order to bring MJ home, and that they’ve shared an incredible, harrowing adventure along the way, but we don’t delve into the specifics just yet,” the writer explained. “As our story begins, they’re back home and ready to embark on a new chapter of their lives together.”
Nonetheless, fans should not dismiss this approach as a simple cop-out. DeMatteis offered this insight: “That said, if this mini-series does well, we can revisit the past and uncover what truly happened in the next installment.”
Spider-Man ’94 #1 is set to hit the shelves on September 3. Are you planning to read it to discover the next adventures of this beloved web-slinger?
For more exciting updates from io9, check out the latest release dates for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, along with what to expect next for the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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