Everyone knows Peter Parker. We know the bite, the uncle, the "great power" speech that’s been quoted into oblivion. But there’s a weird obsession Marvel has with killing him off. It’s become a trope. Honestly, seeing Spider-Man bite the dust is almost a rite of passage for any writer taking over the web-slinger’s desk. But the recent buzz around the 8 deaths of Spider-Man isn't just about nostalgia or "What If" scenarios. It’s a specific, brutal, and surprisingly deep run in the comics that explores the mystical side of a character we usually associate with science and quips.
Peter dies. A lot.
It’s not just the big ones you remember from the movies. We aren't talking about Infinity War’s "I don't feel so good" moment—though that left a mark on pop culture that’s still bruising. In the comic world, death is a revolving door, but Joe Kelly’s recent work on the Amazing Spider-Man (specifically issue #61 and beyond) takes this to a literal, numbered extreme. It’s a gauntlet. It’s messy. And frankly, it’s one of the most polarizing things to happen to Peter Parker in years.
The Magic and the Misery of the 8 Deaths of Spider-Man
The core of the 8 deaths of Spider-Man storyline involves Doctor Strange—or rather, the lack of him. With Strange busy or unavailable, Peter Parker is forced to step into a magical role he is fundamentally ill-equipped for. He’s a guy who believes in physics. He likes things he can calculate. Suddenly, he’s gifted a magic suit by Doctor Doom (who is the Sorcerer Supreme now, because comics are wild) and told he has to die eight times to save the world.
It’s a "cursed" bargain.
Each death represents a different sacrifice, a different layer of Peter’s psyche being stripped away. Marvel isn't just doing this for shock value; they’re using the "extra lives" mechanic to put Peter in situations where his usual "no one dies" rule is turned on its head. He has to die. If he doesn't, everyone else does. It’s a classic Spider-Man moral dilemma, just dialed up to eleven.
🔗 Read more: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
Why Does Marvel Keep Killing Peter?
If you look back at the history of the character, death is the only thing that actually forces Peter to grow. When he’s alive, he’s stuck in a loop of losing his job, losing his girlfriend, and running out of web fluid. But when he dies? That’s when things get interesting.
Take The Other from the mid-2000s. That was a brutal story. Morlun—a vampire who eats spider-totems—basically beat Peter to death in front of the hospital. Peter "died," went into a cocoon, and came back with stingers in his wrists. It was weird. People hated it. People loved it. But it established that Peter isn't just a science accident; he’s part of a "Spider-Totem" lineage.
Then you have Superior Spider-Man. That’s probably the most famous "death." Otto Octavius swapped bodies with Peter. Peter died in Otto’s withered, cancer-ridden frame while Otto lived Peter’s life. It lasted for over a year! Fans were livid, but it ended up being one of the best-selling runs in modern history because it forced us to see why Peter Parker is the only one who can truly be Spider-Man.
The Breakdown: Not Just a Number
In the current 8 deaths of Spider-Man arc, the deaths aren't always physical "ends." Some are metaphysical. When you’re dealing with the Cyttorak (the entity that powers the Juggernaut) or other-dimensional deities, death is more of a transition state.
Peter is wearing a suit designed by Doom. That alone should tell you this is a bad idea. Victor von Doom doesn't give gifts for free. Every time Peter "dies" and the suit brings him back, he loses a piece of his humanity or hitches himself closer to Doom’s influence. It’s a ticking clock.
💡 You might also like: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
A Quick History of Notable Ends
Before this current run, we had some heavy hitters.
- The Death of Ultimate Spider-Man: This one actually stuck for a while. Peter died saving Aunt May from the Green Goblin. It gave us Miles Morales. Without that death, the Spider-Verse as we know it doesn't exist.
- Kraven’s Last Hunt: Peter was buried alive. For two weeks. He was legally and technically dead to the world while Kraven the Hunter took his place.
- Infinity Gauntlet: Thanos turned his bones to fungus. Classic.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Story
A lot of readers think the 8 deaths of Spider-Man is just a gimmick to boost sales. Sure, every comic decision is partially about sales. But look closer. This is a story about Peter’s relationship with Doctor Doom.
For decades, Peter has been the "everyman." He’s the guy who struggles with rent. By thrusting him into the world of high magic and cosmic debt, Marvel is stripping away his relatability to see what’s left at the core. Is Peter Parker still a hero if he knows he’s going to resurrect? Does bravery exist when you have seven lives left in your pocket?
Actually, it makes him more reckless. And that’s the danger.
The Doctor Doom Factor
You can't talk about these deaths without talking about Doom. Since Victor took over the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, he’s been playing a long game. Giving Peter the "Eight Lives" suit isn't an act of kindness. It’s a field test.
📖 Related: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
Doom is using Peter as a canary in a coal mine. He’s sending the web-head into magical realms that even Doom is hesitant to enter. It’s brilliant, really. If Peter succeeds, the world is saved and Doom gets the data. If Peter dies—truly dies—Doom has one less nuisance to deal with.
Is This the "End" of Peter Parker?
No. Of course not.
But it’s a shift. The 8 deaths of Spider-Man is meant to leave a scar. By the time Peter gets to his last life, the status quo of the Amazing Spider-Man title will be fundamentally altered. We’re seeing a Peter who is more tired, more cynical, and perhaps a bit more magical than before.
The fan community is split. Some say it’s too dark. Others think it’s the shot of adrenaline the series needed after a few years of "meh" storylines. But the reality is that Spider-Man works best when he’s failing. We don't love him because he wins; we love him because he gets punched in the face eight times and still tries to stand up on the ninth.
How to Keep Up With the Run
If you’re trying to follow this live, you need to be looking at the Amazing Spider-Man issues starting from the fall of 2024 and heading into 2025. Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness are the architects here.
- Look for the Doom Connection: Watch how the suit changes color or texture after each death.
- Pay attention to the side characters: How is Mary Jane reacting to a boyfriend who is essentially a living ghost?
- The Totem Lore: Keep an eye out for references to the Great Weaver. This isn't just a science story anymore.
The 8 deaths of Spider-Man isn't just a checklist of funerals. It’s a deconstruction of what it means to be a hero when the stakes are literally soul-crushing. Whether you think it’s a gimmick or a masterpiece, you can't deny it’s got people talking about Peter Parker again.
Moving Forward: What to Watch
The next step for any reader is to dive into the back issues of the "Spider-Totem" era. Understanding Peter's connection to the mystical "Spider-Gods" makes the current run feel way less like a random left turn and more like a planned evolution. Check out the Spider-Verse (the original comic event, not just the movie) and The Other to see the seeds of this magical trauma being planted. Following the current ASM run issue by issue is the only way to see how that eighth life finally plays out—and what's left of Peter Parker once the magic wears off.