At C2E2, Marvel made some big announcements about Spider-Man, Original Sin, and even Daredevil at their Spiderverse panel. We sat in on the panel and learned quite a few interesting things about what's happening in the Marvel universe in the upcoming months.
THE PANEL: Editor Nick Lowe hosted the panel. Featuring the Spider-Man talent of James Robinson, Josh Fialkov, Ramon Perez, Jordan White, and Mark Waid.
The event kicked off with Jodan White playing ukulele and singing the "Spider-Man" theme song, in which the audience sang along. Lowe gave away an issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 to the person who really sang their heart out.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
Lowe explained that the first issue of the new AMAZING SPIDER-MAN series comes in at 96 pages. It includes a main story, numerous back-up stories and INHUMANS #1. Dan Slott is writing with Humberto Ramos on art. The first issue, which will be out April 30th, introduces the reader to the villains for the first arc: Black Cat and Electro. Black Cat went to jail during SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN and she's not happy.
Both issues #4 and #5 will be tie-ins to Original Sin and will introduce the reader to Silk. When Peter Parker was originally bit by that radioactive spider, it turns out someone else was bit as well. This is Silk. Who is she and where has she been all this time?
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: LEARNING TO CRAWL
Learning to crawl, which takes place during the early years of the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN comic, fills in the gaps between comics and will explore the life of Peter Parker, who is still new to his powers and being Spider-Man.
Artist Ramon Perez says readers will get a closer look into Peter's social ;life as well as dealing with the death of Uncle Ben. Readers will actually see his funeral. There's also a new villain named "Clash." The panel-goers were then treated to some interiors of the book, as well as the covers by Alex Ross. This book will be on store shelves on May 7th.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: WHO AM I? Infinite Comic
Fialkov, the writer of this book, says that the story starts out with Spider-Man robbing a bank. He doesn't know who he is, where he is, and why he's robbing a bank. "If you were to wake up, in a costume, and you're with a bunch thugs and robbing a bank, would you go with it or against it?" Parker doesn't remember all those things that make him who he is like "having great responsibility" or those in his life who taught him lessons.
Fialkov continued, "What's great about the infinite [comic] format is you explore storytelling in a way no one else is doing. It's a lot of fun and so special. I love getting to write fun Peter Parker... Iron Man also shows up."
The WHO AM I infinite comic will come out on May 6th. The first four issues will come out at the same time. Lowe says they're trying something different and want readers to "binge read."
Cover for issue one and three preview pages below
SPIDER-MAN 2099
In July, writer Peter David and artist Will Sliney tackle this fan favorite character, Spider-Man 2099. The audience is shown the covers for issue one. Simone Bianchi and Rick Leonardi did the covers. Peter Parker will make an appearance in the book. Slott is very excited about the book and really pushed for Peter David to write the book. The audience is shown two interior pages from the book, and it looks utterly fantastic.
FAMILY BUSINESS OGN
Mark Waid says that Spider-Man was the perfect character to tell a big story in a big way for the OGN format. He had an idea in mind that Peter would be in trouble, but his sister, that he didn't know existed, would help him. He really wanted to do a spy story with Peter parents as well. He says that things Peter's parents did the in their past affect Peter and that was a part of the core story. Waid really wanted James Robinson to help him craft the story. The was actually James' first time writing Spider-Man, and he actually got the call to write this book on the day he quit working for DC Comics. James said writing this book "makes you feel like a kid again... I immediately fell in love with the Parkers."
DAREDEVIL: ROAD WARRIOR
The infinite comic will be coming out in print format in July. It's written by Mark Waid and drawn by Peter Krause. The book follows Matt Murdock's move to San Francisco.
DAREDEVIL On-Going
Issue 4 will be out in June and issue 5 will be out in July. Waid says both he and artist Chris Samnee approach this as one storyteller. It's one joint effort for these guys. He says they're having a blast with Daredevil in San Fran. DD truly relies on the NYC geography more than any other character because he's blind. "It's a big learning curve" says Waid. There will be the return of one of DD's oldest foes: The Owl. It will be the most dangerous foe he's ever faced because the Owl is more powerful than ever. Issue 5 will cover the strange death of Foggy Nelson.
Issue 6 and 7 of this series will tie into Original Sin. Javier Rodriguez will be working on the art while Samnee recharges. In the tie-in, Matt will find out why his mother left his father. Waid states, "It drops the world beneath his feet. Everything he knows gets turned upside down." Matt finds his mother in prison, but can't help her from a legal stand-point because he gave up law.
SPIDERVERSE
Spiderverse kicks off in November. However, Free Comic Book Day (Saturday, May 3rd) will have a Spiderverse flip-book, with the other side being a GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY book. Morlun will be the main villain of the book. Interior pages are shown. Morlun is dealing with Peter Parker from Marvel 1602. Lowe says they will be using every version of Spider-Man they are legally allowed to use. This series will run through AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9-#14. Tie-ins will be announced later on. They don't want to give everything away, 6 months before the book comes out.
Confirmed versions of Spider-Man in Spiderverse: Electric Company Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Arana, Spider-Ham, Bagman, 70s Japanese TV series Spider-Man, "There will be A Ben Reilly," Miles Morales, Spider-Man Noir, and everyone else in the giant Spiderverse banner (at the top of the article).
Who won't be in Spiderverse: Movie versions, Ultimate Peter Parker (Nick Lowe made sure to say he's still dead), and no symbiotes.
Audience Questions
Mark Waid said he's not involved with the Netflix Daredevil series and said series will not affect the comic. He said Marvel doesn't want the books to change because of what's happening in the tv show. SPIDER-MEN 2 is brought up by an audience member. Lowe says Bendis is very motivated to do it and spiderverse will not affect SPIDER-MEN 2, whenever it happens.
The next audience member asks about Anna-Maria. She will apparently be in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 and she will be a big part of the book. She's not going anywhere and she's become a big part of Peter's life. They live together and work together. In addition, Peter's sister, from FAMILY BUSINESS, may be brought into the main series, since the book is canon.
In addition, Eddie Brock is a character they've been thinking about a lot recently. He won't be coming up any time soon, but it sounds like he may make a return in the future.
Finally, before the panel is let out, there's an image on the big screen which is someone in Superior Spider-Man's costume. It's not Peter though. That's all they had to say about that.
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