It can be difficult for storytellers to come up with new and interesting ways to use a character as popular as Spider-Man, especially given how long it's been since his creation. After all, the wall-crawler has starred in no shortage of iconic animated TV series, video games, live-action movies, and comic book issues since 1962.
In recent years, we've only seen Spidey's popularity grow to the point that his origin story is now being skipped altogether in multiple adaptations since everyone knows how it goes. So the question has to be asked: How could anyone hope to reinvent the character while still respecting his roots? Well, fortunately for us, Jonathan Hickman had all the answers. Back in January 2024, the very first issue of Hickman's Ultimate Spider-Man was released, and to say fans immediately fell in love with it would be an understatement.
After years of asking to see Peter have a lasting marriage with MJ, that's exactly what we got. The wall-crawler was a family man with two kids before even getting his powers. Uncle Ben is still alive, J. Jonah Jameson doesn't hate Spidey, Venom is an advanced Artificial Intelligence, and the list of changes goes on. However, despite such major changes to the mythos, Ultimate Spider-Man has been regarded as one of the character's best stories in years (if not, the very best). Unfortunately, everything must come to an end, including such a legendary comic book run.
Ultimate Spider-Man is officially ending after 24 issues
The endgame is near. Marvel's current Ultimate Universe has been just one big playground for the Maker—an evil, alternate version of Reed Richards who molded this parallel Earth as he saw fit. He stripped this reality away from any of the heroes it was supposed to have, hence why Peter didn't get bitten by a radioactive Spider during his teenage years. Fortunately, the Maker was trapped for two years by Howard Stark, while Tony uncovered the truth behind his world, and sent Peter the spider that was supposed to give him his powers all those years ago.
Since then, Spidey has been saving the world as everyone's friendly neighborhood hero, while Tony has geared up for the upcoming fight against the Maker once the villain is free from his prison. Now, we know what the Ultimate Universe's epic conclusion will look like.
During San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Marvel unveiled Ultimate Endgame, an upcoming five-issue series that will be all about The Maker's liberation and how the heroes of this universe will fight to stop him once again. Alongside that reveal, we also got the confirmation that Jonathan Hickman's Ultimate Spider-Man run will conclude after just 24 issues.
On the one hand, it's absolutely heartbreaking to learn that one of Spidey's best (and most successful) comic book runs will be "over" so soon. After all, the original 2000 Ultimate Spider-Man run consisted of 133 issues and was published over the span of nine years. Besides, Hickman's story has the potential for many incredible arcs that might never see the light of day.
We were just recently introduced to this version of Venom, who's Peter Parker's son, of all people. Furthermore, iconic villains such as Rhino, Scorpion, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Vulture, and more have yet to make their big entrance, while they could very well have their own arc.
Fortunately, there might still be a silver lining. While Hickman's Ultimate Spider-Man run might come to an end, there could be a chance that another writer takes over the series. And who knows? Maybe Marvel could reset the series numbering and follow things up with a new No. 1. Or, perhaps the story of Ultimate Peter could continue in another series altogether, even if this option is a bit more unlikely.
Only time will tell what the future has in store for such a beloved version of Spidey. But, for the time being, we still have five more promising issues of Ultimate Spider-Man to look forward to.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) No. 20 will be released on Aug. 27, 2025.
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