Marvel's December solicitations were released today and the one for SCARLET SPIDER #25 is absolutely worth discussing.

LAST DEVASTATING ISSUE!

• It’s over. Kaine did his best to be a hero. He failed.

• What about Houston?! Who lives? Who dies? Is there a place for the Scarlet Spider in this world? The answers will surprise you.

• Two years and 25 issues have led to THIS! Guest starring: MEXICO!

First and foremost... LAST ISSUE?!?! Despite being loved here at Comic Vine (it even won the "Best Spider-Man Family Series" poll), Kaine's sales have never been all that grand, so sadly, this comes as no real surprise. It's terrible, terrible news, but unfortunately expected. Nonetheless, this is horrible news for fans of the series -- and there are many of you on this site -- so take a much needed moment or two to vent before reading on.

"Kaine did his best to be a hero. He failed." When it comes to being a hero, there's two key qualities: doing the right thing and saving lives. In Kaine's latest story, 'Into the Grave,' the Kravinoff family (Ana and Sergei) is striking at the anti-hero's friends. Kaine's lovable supporting cast has apparently been abducted by Sergei's daughter. We know for a fact Aracely is alive and likely being held hostage (we saw her get slashed in the arm and pass out -- most likely due to poison), but it's uncertain if the rest share the same fate because they were all attacked out of our line of sight.

So, why is Kraven taking the people Kaine cares about? Well, it's probably because Kraven wants to die and Kaine's one of the two people capable of doing it. And, in the event he refuses, they'll likely force him into doing it by harming or even killing his loved ones. If Kaine considers himself a failure as a hero, it's surely because he's been forced into killing Kraven, was unable to save the people he cares about... or -- dare I say it -- both of those occurred (which we're betting on). Kaine has been through a whole lot when it comes to his struggle being a hero and being "good," but the combination of being unable to protect the people he cares the most about and being manipulated into killing could be enough to make him pack up and finally make it to Mexico.

For those unfamiliar with why the Spider-Man villain has a death wish, it's because he chose to take his life in the conclusion of 'Kraven's Last Hunt.' In his mind, he proved he was the superiorSpider-Man and to him, that was the greatest thing he could accomplish in life. Feeling complete and left without any challenges, he opted to take his own life. Fast forward to 'Grim Hunt.' Kraven's family used "Spider-Man's" blood to resurrect the villain, but they were unaware it was actually Kaine posing as Spidey (which he did to save Parker). Naturally, Kraven wasn't happy about abruptly being brought back, and to make matters even worse, only Peter Parker can end his life. But, seeing as Kaine's a clone of the webhead, surely he can, too. Kraven's not a stupid man by any measure and has likely reached this conclusion as well. He wants nothing more than to go back to his eternal rest, and odds are he thinks Kaine is the man for the job. If he won't do it willingly, then Sergei will force his hand by threatening the people he'd do anything to save. Unfortunately, we think this means a life or two (not including Kraven's) may be lost in the process. But what does this mean for Ana? If we had to guess, she'll be the one to carry on the "Kraven the Hunter" legacy. Heck, she's already killed her brother just to prove she's worthy of the name.

Perfect world scenario, though? Since the Venom symbiote is probably leaving Flash Thompson due to events over in SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN, Kaine should randomly jump into that story and become the new host instead of potentially fleeing to Mexico. We know the chances of that happening are incredibly slim, but you can't blame us for dreaming, right?

This is all just speculation, mind you. Do you think this is what could go down in the conclusion of SCARLET SPIDER or do you have your own theories? And, if someone is indeed going to die, who do you think it'll be?

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, right?

Venom and Scarlet Spider both cancelled but Dan Slott continues to draw in sales on his abortion of a series. You people buying Superior Spider-Man should be ashamed!

Damn this sucks. It really was a great series and I love seeing more superheroes based in Texas. If I had one criticism of the series though it would be that after Stegman left they couldn't keep a good steady artist and the ones they got could never measure up to Stegman. I'll be sad to see it go.

loooool.. katzman's gonna rage :P !! To say the truth I was feeling that the end was near for Scarlet Spider . I never agreed with you on it's reviews .. I was hating this series ! the real sadness tho is how good,venom was starting to get and was cancelled!!

Still sad.

SUPERIOR SCARLET SPIDER

@iaconpoint: Why should I be ashamed? I was buying all of them.

I hope this book and Venom weren't cancelled to make way for new Superior books. That experiment needs to hurry up and end, the writing and art (!) have been good on SSM but enough already, sales only hold because its SPIDER MAN, bring back Peter already and add a couple Marvel NOW titles to his spiderverse.

@iaconpoint: ikr its such bs how is it that we live in a time with no peter parker smh

:(

Other choices other than Superior Spider-Man...Venom and Scarlet both get canceled. And there's the potential that Miles doesn't make it out of Cataclysm and the Superior is still on and going? Sad face :(

This sucks. I just picked up the first two trades of Scarlet Spider the other day and was all set to add it to my pull list :(

Seeing as how the comments are already derailing into Superior Spider-Man hate and what not. Do we know what's going on with the solicitations for Amazing Spider-Man 700.1 - 700.5 claiming the return of Peter Parker?

This is......typical and disappointing.

Great books that don't feature cash cows or big names getting cancelled.

Venom and now Scarlet Spider.

What's next? Captain Marvel?X-men? Hawkeye?

It's still a damn shame.

An expected shame.

But I still like Superior Spider-man (sue me),and I still supported this series and Venom (which is also getting cancelled,unfortunately).

I think I remember a guy here saying that if this series were to end (it was around the time Venom ended) that he will no longer support Marvel...well,THANKS for jinxing it.

Venom - Cancelled

Scarlet Spider - Cancelled

Ultimate Spider-man - Due to Ultimate universe ending, soon to be cancelled(or drafted to main 616 universe)

Superior Spider-man - Get to live

F*** the market consumers

Thunderbolts, A+X, a million crappy avengers titles, a big push on the booooooring inhumans (wanna do a new film marvel? I know you don't actually own the rights to most of your properties and a clutching at straws-but seriously?) kid nova, fearless estrogen, journey into 'where's Thor?'... And more rubbish, still being spewed out by marvel, and the BRILLIANT Scarlet spider gets cancelled!? Obviously Kaine and Venom aren't properties Marvel can turn into films, so don't receive the same grooming and publicity of rubbish like 'the-only bothered about Black Bolt-inhumans'. Ridiculous.

This has been my favorite series since I started reading comics a year ago, & NOW IT'S GOING TO BE GONE SOON?!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!

"Continuing the special celebration of THE ORIGINAL SPIDER-MAN "

That makes me think they're providing just a handful of issues to let us enjoy stories with Peter Parker and it's not actually canon. Again, just speculation on my behalf.

Well thats just.....expected *le sigh* I love SS and I love Venom. All well....I'll just cross my fingers and hope they relaunch as Marvel Now series in phase 2

I'm gutted to see the spider family getting smaller and smaller especially as Scarlet Spider and Venom were both great series'

Lol! Fail Marvel! Sorry to all you guys who loved it... Marvel's going to get RAGE!!!!

Man this sucks. I had said in the poll that this better not happen and now it did and now I'm sad since some of my favorite titles as long as my favorite characters are getting their books cancelled. Venom and Scarlet Spider are both great books. I wasn't sure how long Venom would last since I wasn't to familiar with Cullen Bunn's work. I'm glad it lasted 42 issues. First X-23 gets cancelled, then Winter Soldier gets cancelled, then Gambit gets cancelled, then Venom, now Scarlet Spider. Miles better survive Cataclysm. Favorite arc with Scarlet Spider, the story arc when he went up against Wolverine and the X-Men, then teamed up with Wolverine and kicked some ass together!!! Man Marvel what are you going to end next that I like?

Captain Marvel seems to be getting cancelled friend :(

I doubt X-Men will as it's sales are still high, but Hawkeye was number 50 on the charts in July... and it's recent hiatus may not help.

The thing I've noticed is Marvel cancels or ends the books that aren't in the top 100, X-Factor, Journey into Mystery, Venom, Scarlet Spider, Astonishing X-Men and the majority of the Ultimate Universe. People give DC a lot of shit for changing creative teams and dropping titles but the reality of it is their books plummet near the 200th place and they're still going.

It's all about the money and the franchises. So long as Superior Spider-man involves Peter Parker in any shape or form and has the word Spider-man in it, it'll sell, and it'll sell loads. And yes, I am a fan of all 3 titles.

will it is marvel so every hero they have has to be in nyc which leaves the rest of us s.o.l on the hero department

Likely just a series of Peter Parker adventures set in the pre-#700 past, to appease the people who want to see him back in the costume.

I could see Kaine getting the symbiote and then having a new Marvel Now series called something like Superior Scarlet Spider.

Yeah I figured that might be the direction they were going because they seem to be just disjointed stories about Peter. I was kind of hoping that they were just buying time for Superior to re-introduce him though, but that seems a bit unrealistic as there are a lot of loose threads that should still be tied up before Dan Slott moves us away from Superior.

This stinks. I loved Venom and I love Scarlet Spider. Now I do worry about the Ultimate universe ending but Brian Woods made it seem like it would still keep going. I mean in the past few months they have introed too many characters to just end it. A shame though Kaine is going away though.

I don't want to live on this planet anymore......

you just read my mind

The Ultimate Universe better not end. It's currently my favorite comic book universe. (Yes,ahead of 616 and DC-New 52...the old DCU is dead so they are not in this).

I hate how only the cash cows survive. It doesn't matter if other titles were more amazing (or at times,better) than the main titles,if it isn't a cash cow and in the top-tier,it will get cancelled. I HATE seeing great books cancelled. Like the ones hawkguy listed. I swear they are gonna end Hawkeye next.

Although the titles not being supported is also a huge factor in this.

No, I was going to start getting the issues I missed as well.

Yeah this pretty much blows. If they relaunch it, I will gladly add it and so should all of you who avoided this series to begin with! An ideal situation for me is somehow have a Venom/Scarlet Spider team up series. Not sure how it would work but you could draw in all kinds of audiences for it

Are you the series is ending? Or is this just a prediction based on the solicitations. I might be in denial but unless Marvel makes an announcement that Scarlet Spider is ending I will continue believing the series will carry on. I love Scarlet Spider and belive he should be in more series.

This does suck as I really enjoyed the book, but it's hard to blame Marvel when the book usually only floats low to mid 20k copies per issue. Especially on a book that they don't have movie rights to which there isn't a possibility of huge returns from movie proceeds.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Hey look.

Yet another Spider-title that fans like is getting cancelled/ended...

All so we can keep that abomination called "Superior".

I guess I should add anything 'Spider' by Marvel to my comment on DC. "NuDC And Marvel Spiders. Where hope goes to -die-."

That is it. I'm out. This was the best Marvel book along with venom. Please let Kaine end up happy.

I just.....

Fuck Superior Spider-Man. I want Peter back, and I'm tired of all this "Superior" series. I've been waiting years for Scarlet Spider to come back, and now that it has, it's canceled? These Marvel editors are pulling form their asses.

@pulseangel666:

He's not Otto. He'll end up dead in a ditch. Covered in Petrol. On Fire. Because no one even side related to Peter or a better time that wasn't Slott's 'rule' can be happy.

you are probably right, but Kaine deserves to be happy and I hope they let him. Peter plz come back soon.

Also it feels like Marvel wants to kill of all the good things spidey. First Venom, now Kaine, Spidey 2099 will most likely kick the bucket and maby Miles to.

NO NO NO NO 1st Venom now this, and no MOre Agent Venom, NO NO NO NO!!!

Please don't bring Peter back; The 'Superior' Spiderman - the clue's in the title

@pulseangel666: I really do hope Kaine ends happy....but alas, I lost faith in Marvel around the character assassination of Peter Parker as orchestrated by Slott for the last few years.

Really and truly, I feel like Marvel Now doesn't want -any- threat to Slott's writing. I suspect SSM Team-Up or whatever it is called now will get cancelled when it's arc ends. All so 'we the fans' can have the 'top selling' Spider-Man title, Superior.

I threw up in my mouth a little at that. Plus, I think you are right. I think Otto will end up killing/destroying the 2099 future. It already looks like he will. Or he'll save it and then permanently lock it out of time travel cause Miguel is a better hero than he will ever be. And if that is 'Miles' in the new Mighty Avengers in the 'ill fitting' costume, I'm not putting alot of money down on him surviving 'Infinity'. I'm getting a very Highlander 'There can be only one Spider-Man' vibe from everything Marvel, and it is really sad....because it's crap.