Spider-Man animated series writer speaks out after Marvel unveils Spider-Man ’94 comic

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As a passionate gamer and longtime fan of the ’90s Spider-Man animated series, I’m thrilled to hear about Marvel’s announcement of a new comic book series that promises to unravel the infamous cliffhanger from our beloved show. However, it seems there’s a bit of a hitch: the original writer, who played such an integral role in crafting the storylines we cherish, isn’t part of this project and hasn’t been consulted either.

If you haven’t seen this series yet, beware – there’s a major spoiler ahead! The story concludes with Madame Web teleporting Spider-Man into another dimension in search of the genuine Mary Jane Watson. She vanished through a portal under the control of the Green Goblin earlier in the plot.

Initially, lead writer John Semper Jr. didn’t consider it a cliffhanger, but later acknowledged that it gave viewers an unsettling sense of unfinished business.

Instead, let’s explore what transpires in the 1994 version of Spider-Man, as this installment will indeed provide insights into future events. However, it is important to note that the narrative isn’t strictly about Semper.

Spider-Man animated series writer isn’t involved in Spider-Man ’94

On X/Twitter, Semper clarified that neither he nor Marvel ever contacted him regarding the creation of Spider-Man ’94.

This morning, I received a text from my buddy Matt Dunford, who dropped some exciting news: Marvel’s picking up the thread of my beloved Spider-Man animated series and transforming it into a comic book! He mentioned a four-issue limited series titled Spider-Man ’94. Can’t wait to dive in!

Fans of the series may wonder if I’m connected to this comic book, but let me clarify that I have not been part of it, nor has anyone from Marvel reached out to involve me. The first time I learned about it was through a text message from Matt.

Check out the upcoming four-issue comic series, ‘Spider-Man ’94’, which promises to unveil the authentic conclusion to the Spider-Man animated series. This project features artwork by Jim Towe and writing from J.M. DeMatteis. It’s been confirmed that Marvel didn’t reach out to the show’s head writer, John Semper, for this new venture.

— ScreenTime (@screentime) June 18, 2025

Each time, Semper emphasized his deep admiration for J.M. DeMatteis, whose work from ’94 not only graced the animated series but also comic books. His impressive portfolio spanning decades in both mediums truly attests to his talent, and I have no doubt that this upcoming comic will be expertly handled by him.

The direction he’s opting to steer the narrative of the series is completely up to him. However, it’s important to clarify that these decisions aren’t a reflection of my creativity or any lack thereof on my part.

Indeed, it would have been considerate and perhaps even respectful if Marvel had contacted me at some stage as a courtesy. However, I’ve given up hoping that Marvel would ever recognize my contributions to the Marvel universe, such as the concept of ‘Spider-Verse,’ which is widely recognized today.

Initially, Semper is recognized as the first illustrator to bring the concept of Spider-Verse into comic books; this narrative was initially presented during the second-to-last and final episodes of the animated series.

May they prosper, and let’s all rejoice heartily as we mark the 30th anniversary of SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES this year. Semper mentioned that he has plans to celebrate the series himself in the coming days.

Mark your calendars for September 3, 2025! That’s when I, a die-hard Spidey fan, will finally get my hands on Spider-Man ’94 #1. In the lead-up to that momentous day, let’s dive deep into what we know so far about Spider-Man 4 and Beyond the Spider-Verse!

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2025-06-19 13:18