Marvel has announced Spider-Man ’94, a new comic book series that will resolve the animated series’ infamous cliffhanger. There’s just one problem: the writer of the original show isn’t involved, nor was he asked.
If you haven’t watched the series, prepare for a big spoiler: it ends with Madame Web transporting Spidey to another dimension to find “the real Mary Jane Watson” after she disappeared through a portal at the hands of the Green Goblin.
While head writer John Semper Jr. initially didn’t see it as a cliffhanger, he has since admitted that he left viewers with a “horrible feeling of incompletion.”
Well, we’ll find out what happens in Spider-Man ’94, which will officially reveal what happens next – except it’s technically not Semper’s story.
Spider-Man animated series writer isn’t involved in Spider-Man ’94
Semper posted a statement on X/Twitter confirming that not only has he not had any input on Spider-Man ’94, but Marvel never reached out to him.
“I got a text message this morning from my good friend, Matt Dunford, telling me that Marvel is ‘continuing’ my SPIDER-MAN animated series in comic book form in a four-issue limited series called SPIDER-MAN ’94,” he wrote.
“Since I will no doubt be asked about it by fans of the series: NO, I am NOT involved with this comic book and no one at Marvel approached me to be involved in any way. Matt’s text message was the first I heard of it.”
Semper insisted he has the greatest respect for J.M. DeMatteis, who’s writing ’94 (he also wrote one episode of the animated series. “His amazing body of work over the years in both animation and comic books speaks for itself, and I’m positive this new comic is in great hands,” he wrote.
“Where he now chooses to take the series story-wise is entirely his decision. But, for the record, they are NOT my creative choices, nor do they represent any oversight by me.
“Yes, it would have been nice (some might even say, respectful) if Marvel had reached out to me at some point as a courtesy. But I have long ago abandoned all expectation that Marvel would acknowledge any of my contributions to the Marvel universe – like, for instance, my creation of what is now known as the ‘Spider-Verse.'”
Semper is credited with being the first Spider-Man artist to use the Spider-Verse storyline; specifically, it was introduced in the animated series’ penultimate episode and finale.
“I wish them well and encourage us all to celebrate with good cheer this 30th anniversary year of SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES,” Semper added, noting that he’ll launch his own celebration of the show “in the very near future.”
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