If you’ve stepped into a comic shop lately, you probably noticed the wall of red and blue looks a little... different. Honestly, it’s a weird time to be a Peter Parker fan. We are currently navigating a massive transition period where the old "rules" of the Spider-Verse are being tossed out the window. Between the end of a legendary alternate universe and a mainline story that just sent Peter into deep space, keeping track of new Spider Man comics has become a full-time job.
Basically, the 2026 landscape is defined by three major pillars: the "Death Spiral" event, the unexpected shuttering of the Ultimate line, and a historic crossover with DC that people have been waiting decades to see.
The Death Spiral and the Rise of Spider-Carnage
Right now, the mainline Amazing Spider-Man (ASM) run is being steered by Joe Kelly, and he is not playing it safe. We just saw Peter return to Earth after a cosmic stint, only to walk straight into a woodchipper called "Death Spiral." This crossover event, which officially kicked off in February 2026, is a collaboration between Kelly, Al Ewing, and Charles Soule.
It’s dark. Like, genuinely uncomfortable.
The big hook that has everyone talking is the reveal of the All-New Venom. For months, fans speculated about who was under the symbiote mask after Eddie Brock’s recent shifts. It turns out it’s Mary Jane Watson. This isn't just a "what if" scenario; it’s the current status quo in the 616 universe. Seeing Peter and MJ forced into a "Spidey-Symbiote Alliance" while their personal relationship is still a mess adds a layer of soap-opera drama that Spider-Man stories usually do best.
But the real kicker comes this April in Amazing Spider-Man #27. Marvel has already started teasing the debut of Spider-Carnage. We aren't talking about a variant from a different dimension. This is our Peter Parker, the one we’ve followed for years, seemingly succumbing to the Carnage symbiote. With a new villain named Torment hunting them down and knowing Peter’s secret identity, the stakes haven't been this high since the Kindred saga.
👉 See also: Why Never Been This Homesick Before Lyrics Still Hit Different
Why the Ultimate Spider-Man Ending Matters
If you prefer the "Dad Peter" vibes of Jonathan Hickman’s Ultimate Spider-Man, I have some bad news. It's ending.
Hickman’s run, which featured a married Peter Parker with kids, was a massive sales juggernaut. It felt fresh. It felt earned. However, Marvel recently confirmed at New York Comic Con that the entire Ultimate line is being shut down in April 2026. Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (released in December 2025) served as the finale for the solo series, and the story is currently wrapping up in the Ultimate Endgame limited series.
- The Maker's Clock: The universe was always on a 24-month timer.
- Real-Time Progression: Unlike the main 616 books, this world aged in real-time.
- The Fallout: While the universe is "ending," Marvel EIC C.B. Cebulski hinted that elements of this world will "bleed over" into the main continuity.
Whether that means we get a permanent "Ultimate Invasion" of characters like the new Ultimate Green Goblin remains to be seen. It's a bittersweet moment for readers who finally felt like they had a version of Peter who was allowed to grow up and stay happy.
The Marvel and DC Crossover: April 2026
You read that right. We’re getting a genuine, non-ironic crossover between Marvel and DC. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man, the two giants are playing nice again.
Spider-Man/Superman #1 arrives in April. It’s got a "who’s who" of talent: Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, and Dan Slott are all contributing. Seeing Pepe Larraz draw Clark Kent and Peter Parker in the same frame feels like a fever dream, but it's actually happening. One of the coolest segments involves Dan Slott and Marcos Martin bringing back Spider-Man Noir to meet the Golden Age Superman.
It’s nostalgic, sure, but it’s also a sign that the industry is trying to shake things up to keep people coming into shops. These kinds of events don't happen often. The last time we saw something this significant was the JLA/Avengers era.
How to Actually Follow These Stories
If you’re trying to jump into new Spider Man comics today, don’t try to buy everything. You’ll go broke and get a headache.
Focus on the Death Spiral reading order if you want the main "Spider-Carnage" arc. It moves through Amazing Spider-Man, Venom, and Eddie Brock: Carnage. If you want something more self-contained, look for Spider-Versity, a five-issue limited series launching in April. It features Norman Osborn (yes, he's "trying" to be a mentor now) training Miles Morales, Silk, and Spider-Gwen to face a new Green Goblin threat. It’s a bit more "New York-centric" and avoids the heavy symbiote lore if that's not your thing.
Actionable Steps for Readers
To stay on top of this rapidly changing era, here is how you should handle your pull list:
✨ Don't miss: Why the Lewis Carroll book Alice in Wonderland is weirder than you remember
- Check the Legacy Numbering: Amazing Spider-Man is barreling toward issue #1000. Issues #23 through #27 are the "must-reads" for the current year.
- Look for "Death Spiral" One-Shots: These often contain the context for why MJ is now Venom.
- Pre-order the Crossover: The Spider-Man/Superman books are going to have massive print runs but even higher demand; talk to your local shop about the Jorge Jiménez and Pepe Larraz covers now.
- Watch the Ultimate Endgame: Even if you didn't read the whole Hickman run, the final issue in April 2026 will likely dictate who moves into the main 616 universe.
The current era of Spider-Man is chaotic, but it’s rarely been this unpredictable. Whether you love or hate "Spider-Carnage," it's clear that the writers are done playing it safe as they march toward that historic 1000th issue.