Spider-Man is getting a new ongoing series in 2025, and Marvel's official synopsis for the debut issue teases that the inaugural arc will feature the return of a member of the Webslinger's rogues' gallery that readers haven't encountered in nearly a decade. Coming hot on the heels of the pivotal “Spider-Man 8 Deaths Arc,” the new series promises reinvention and a return to basics all at once.
Marvel has revealed minimal details about Amazing Spider-Man #1 – written by Joe Kelly, with art by Pepe Larraz – but has already trumpeted the fact that "A great Spider-Villain is working behind the scenes arming other Spider-Villains,” which hints at short- and long-term threats that the book’s creative team has planned for.
Among the spider-villains are "armed,", the synopsis further states, is one that hasn't appeared in the comics for over seven yearsleaving who exactly it could be for readers to speculate.
A mysterious Spider-Man villain is returning for the first time in over 7 years as a new era dawns for Peter Parker
Amazing Spider-Man #1 – Written by Joe Kelly; Art by Pepe Larraz and John Romito Jr.; Color By Marte Gracia
As the synopsis of The Amazing Spider-Man #1 reads:
ALIVE AND THWIPPING! The next era of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN has arrived! Peter is, surprisingly, jobless and looking for gainful employment, but his job search is interrupted by a STRONG RHINO that is just the tip of a sinister iceberg. Which major Spider-Villain is working behind the scenes arming other Spider-Villains, including one we haven't seen in OVER SEVEN YEARS?! Also, what is Goblin-free Norman Osborn doing?
With the current “8 Kills of Spider-Man” storyline, Marvel has sent Peter Parker on a mystical journey that changes the status quo; it seems like with The Amazing Spider-Manthe company will quickly correct course, once again bringing Webslinger back to familiar patterns. That being said, the teases of mysterious villains and a coordinated plot against Peter are exciting hooks for the new era of Spider-Manalthough they are hooks that longtime fans of the franchise will be familiar with.
Spider-Man has faced countless antagonists over the years. While there are definite A-Listers like Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Electro, and many more, there are also lesser-known ones like Tombstone and Jackal. It's no surprise that over the decades, some villains have simply fallen out of favor in favor of more popular ones. The idea of a Spider-Man villain lurking in the shadows and trying to ruin Peter's life by manipulating other villains is not new. Marvel has been pulling from Spider-Man's extensive character gallery for decades; they even created a whole story about it.
Marvel fans have a reason to revisit old Spider-Man comics as they try to figure out which villains are back
Amazing Spider-Man #1 – Debuts on April 25, 2025 on Marvel Comics
One of the greatest examples of how Marvel exploits Spider-Man's massive gallery of characters will always be the infamous Clone Saga storyline. In this story, the mad scientist known as the Jackal released clones of every person killed in Peter Parker's life. This included allies and villains. It was kind of absurd how many of Peter's supporting characters were killed off, and this was Marvel's way of bringing them all back. Marvel bringing back a villain that hasn't been seen in years is nothing new for the company, but Speculating about who it is can certainly be fun.
This is the perfect excuse to go back to Spider-Man story from a decade ago, searching for clues as to who the mysterious returning villain could be.
In fact, there are so many Spider-Man villains that haven't been seen in a long time. The returning character, suggested for Amazing Spider-Man #1, these could be several of the Webslinger's former enemies; Patient readers can read the first issue of the new series to find out more, but for those who are too eager to wait, this is the perfect excuse to get back to it. Spider-Man story from a decade ago, searching for clues as to who the mysterious returning villain could be.
Amazing Spider-Man #1 will be available on April 25, 2025 from Marvel Comics.