Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) has reached new heights that not even the wall-crawler himself is able to surpass when climbing the Empire State Building. The beloved comic book series has made us laugh and enjoy as Peter raises his two kids next to Mary Jane while often suiting up to save the city. So far, everything has worked perfectly fine for the man who puts his life on the line to save others. However, there's one common element shared across every beloved Spider-Man story, and it is that tragedy always finds its way into the hero's life.
This iteration of the web-slinger has never been alone when fighting the criminals that threaten New York City. His best friend, Harry Osborn, is also quick to put on the Green Goblin armor and fly into action too. But while the two heroes have the same goal in mind, Harry thinks killing the supervillains should be the way to go, as that would ensure no more lives are taken by the same people ever again. Peter, however, has never shared this thought, as he believes everyone deserves a second chance (an ideological conflict worthy of being in the second season of Marvel's Daredevil). Readers were quick to theorize this disagreement would eventually build into enmity, but few could've seen it ultimately lead to tragedy.
***WARNING: There will be spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) ahead. If you haven't read the latest issue in the saga, I highly recommend doing so and coming back later for a full breakdown***
Harry Osborn was shot and killed in Ultimate Spider-Man #14
Back in Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) No. 13, it was revealed that Kraven kidnapped both Peter and Harry and took them to Savage Land to play one twisted game. Sergei's thrill for the hunt pushed him to release his two prey on the underground wonder, give them a slight advantage, and then track them down to strike the final blow. In issue 14, Peter and Harry are on the verge of finally escaping thanks to Mole Man's guidance, but then Kraven enters the scene.
The world's greatest hunter and Peter start a visceral hand-to-hand fight, while a wounded Harry can't do anything but watch from the sidelines. Out of a sudden, the most dangerous thing that could ever happen in the Marvel universe actually happens: Peter gets angry. The wall-crawler stops pulling his punches while yelling that no one should ever go after his family. Kraven is easily bested and just when it seems the honest-to-goodness hero is about to take the villain's life, he stops.
Harry screams to his best friend and tells him to finish things off once and for all, as it's either Kraven or them. But before the argument goes any further, Sergei gets a handgun and pulls the trigger. The bullet instantly pierces Peter, who is surprised his Spider-Sense didn't warn him about the impending danger. On the bright side, he was merely wounded — a fleeting victory that quickly vanishes when he realizes his sixth sense didn't trigger because the shot was never meant for him. Then, the comic cuts to a panel of Harry lying down on the floor, with a bullet in between the eyes.
After more than a year of being a hero in this universe, the Green Goblin is gone. True death. But is it a permanent goodbye?
Could Harry Osborn make a return?
There are many interesting things to note here. For starters: the comic book cover of Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) No. 17 depicts a green-eyed Harry Osborn looking at his reflection on a destroyed Green Goblin helmet. That alone is an indication that the billionaire will return from the grave. Besides, wouldn't it be the perfect opportunity for him to turn into a full-blown supervillain? After all, he now has a perfect reason to hate Peter Parker. Let's face it: Harry was only shot because the friendly neighborhood hero hesitated and didn't put an end to Kraven's story when he had the chance. Furthermore, the Green Goblin would be more convinced than ever that the only way to save New York and his wife, Gwen Stacy, is to kill everyone who gives him a bad look.
We also need to acknowledge that Mysterio has a very interesting role to play in all of this. The Master of Illusions was there moments after Harry was shot and swore that all of their attention will be on Kraven the Hunter moving forward. But what exactly is the villain planning? Well, that's the thing: Nobody knows who is hiding under the fishbowl helmet — not even Wilson Fisk. So what if Mysterio turned out to be Gwen Stacy? You know, the same woman who controls Oscorp Industries and has access to groundbreaking technology that would allow her to bring any illusion to life. Perhaps she was just trying to show her husband that Peter can't be trusted by faking the whole thing.
Granted, all of this is just speculation on our part. But if there's one thing that can't be denied, it is that Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) just gave us its biggest twist so far, and it did so in the most spectacular way possible. Jonathan Hickman has done a fantastic job so far in what has been considered the best ongoing Spider-Man comic book series, but I have to say the latest issue just surpassed every single expectation. The saga is now in a stronger position than ever, and we can't wait to see where it all leads next.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) No. 15 will be released on March 26, 2025.