Fans may have to wait until next summer until the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the to Oscar winning Into the Spider-Verse animated film, but fret not because Marvel has you covered. Courtesy of a Polygon exclusive, Marvel has announced a five-issue Edge of Spider-Verse miniseries this August that will serve as an appetizer for what the publisher is billing as the final Spider-Verse story with End of the Spider-Verse, coming later in 2022.
Since writer Dan Slott ushered in the original Spider-Verse storyline, it’s only fitting he returns to pen the finale. Slott teased what’s to come:
“Marvel has decided to do the unthinkable, go big, and bring the saga of the comic book Spider-Verse to a fiery conclusion,” Slott told Polygon via email. “Yes, that’s right. Later this year we shall all bear witness to THE END OF THE SPIDER-VERSE!”
Of course, few things ever truly end in the never-ending world of superhero comics, but pretending like they will is half the fun. “If you ask me, it’s madness,” Slott waxed enthusiastic. “Why would they do this? WHY? They could’ve milked this spider-cash-cow for decades. That said, if you are going to do it, going all-out in a blaze of glory is definitely the way to go!”
For the Edge of Spider-Verse which like the 2014 anthology predecessor will expand on the backstories of different Spider-Persons from alternate universes. For the first issue Slott will be joined by writers Alex Segura and Karla Pacheco. Polygon showcased some of the new Spider variant characters debuting in the anthology.
Slott tells Polygon that Night-Spider is the persona of world-class thief-with-a-luck-superpower Felicia Hardy from a universe where she got spider powers instead of Peter Parker, with a costume designed by Kris Anka.
The Hunter-Spider, designed by Mark Bagley, is from an earth where Sergei Kravenoff got spider powers “in a most unusual way,” according to Slott. “I don’t want to give away anything more than that right now, other than saying that it’s a blast writing a heroic ‘Kraven the Spider.’”
And Spider-Laird, co-created with artist Martin Coccolo, Slott says proudly, is “the first kilt-wearing hero of the Spider-Verse.” According to Slott, this new costume “will give cosplayers more freedom of movement and a chance to let their knees breathe.”
It’s no exaggeration to say that the multiverse has been in the zeitgeist lately. And considering the immense success of Spider-Man: No Way Home and the aforementioned Across the Spider-Verse animated sequel next summer, this project is a no-brainer.
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 will hit shelves on Aug. 3, with four subsequent issues following on Aug. 17, Aug. 31, and in September.
Check out four covers as well as official summaries of the first three issues below:
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (OF 5)
Dan Slott, Alex Segura & Karla Pacheco (W) • Mark Bagley and more! (A)
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas • Variant Cover by Humberto Ramos
The end of the Spider-Verse is coming!
edge (’ej) noun – 1. outermost limit of an object – 2. the sharp side of a blade
The leading edge of the Spider-Verse brought you Spider-Gwen and Peni Parker. This final edge will introduce you to some of the most important characters in the future of the Spider-Verse…but it will also slice the final strand of the web.
In this issue: Spider-Man Noir! Araña’s new status quo! Spider-Rex and more!
Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (Of 5)
Dan Slott and more! (W) • Mark Bagley and more! (A)
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas
In this issue: Spider-Gwen! The New Spider-UK! Mini-Spidey!
And get to know your antagonist for this huge story!
Edge of Spider-Verse #3 (Of 5)
Dan Slott and more! (W) • Mark Bagley and more! (A)
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas • Variant Cover by Kris Anka
In this issue! Spider-Man: India! And Night-Spider!
Wait, who is Night-Spider?!
The concept of the multiverse is nothing new (most especially in comics) but it’s fair to say that it’s been in the zeitgeist of late. Between Everything Everywhere All at Once and the most recent Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, you can’t far without seeing it pop up in culture.
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