Spider-Man: The Animated Series Writer Says He Was Not Asked to Work on Spider-Man '94

Spider-Man: The Animated Series fans, rejoice: there’s a caller comic book, Spider-Man '94, connected the mode that volition yet grow upon the animated series’ large cliffhanger — but the show's archetypal writer John Semper Jr. really wasn’t asked to constitute the comic oregon beryllium progressive successful immoderate way.

“I got a substance connection this greeting from my bully friend, Matt Dunford, telling maine that Marvel is ‘continuing’ my Spider-Man animated bid successful comic publication signifier successful a four-issue constricted bid called Spider-Man ’94," Semper explained to fans via X / Twitter connected June 18.

He continued: "Since I volition nary uncertainty beryllium asked astir it by fans of the series: NO, I americium NOT progressive with this comic publication and nary 1 astatine Marvel approached maine to beryllium progressive successful immoderate way. Matt’s substance connection was the archetypal I heard of it."

Semper helmed the animated series, which ran from 1994 to 1998. It was present wherever the present mainstream and precise overmuch beloved “Spider-Verse” storyline originated, erstwhile — spoiler alert for the show’s finale — Madame Web transports Spider-Man into a caller magnitude to find the existent Mary Jane aft Green Goblin caused her to vanish done a portal. The cliffhanger is present a well-known constituent of the series, but for immoderate reason, the folks down the communicative inactive didn’t inquire Semper to return.

That said, Semper did praise the comic’s writer, J.M. DeMatteis, successful his post.

So, astir that caller SPIDER-MAN '94 comic book... pic.twitter.com/7yTN9h06vC

“[DeMatteis’] astonishing assemblage of enactment implicit the years successful some animation and comic books speaks for itself, and I’m affirmative this caller comic is successful large hands,” Semper continued. “Where helium present chooses to instrumentality the bid story-wise is wholly his decision. But, for the record, they are NOT my originative choices, nor bash they correspond immoderate oversight by me.”

He added: “Yes, it would person been bully (some mightiness adjacent say, respectful) if Marvel had reached retired to maine astatine immoderate constituent arsenic a courtesy. But I person agelong agone abandoned each anticipation that Marvel would admit immoderate of my contributions to the Marvel beingness – like, for instance, my instauration of what is present known arsenic the ‘Spider-Verse.'”

The Spider-Verse referenced present includes palmy animated Spider-Man films specified arsenic 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is acceptable to get successful 2027.

“I privation them good and promote america each to observe with bully cheer this 30th day twelvemonth of SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES,” Semper concluded successful his post, but not earlier adding that he’ll beryllium “launching my ain solemnisation of my bid successful the precise adjacent future” via his socials.

Spider-Man ‘94 #1 is acceptable to beryllium released connected September 3, 2025.

Lex Briscuso is simply a movie and tv professional and a freelance amusement writer for IGN. You tin travel her connected Twitter astatine @nikonamerica.