Marvel has reached a historic milestone for one of its most iconic characters. Amazing Spider-Man #1000 is now available and, in addition to introducing the new villain Ravage by Joe Kelly and Pepe Larraz, the comic brings together several generations of authors who have left their mark on the wall-crawler.
Among those names are Dan Slott, Brian Michael Bendis, and J.M. DeMatteis, who provides one of the most anticipated moments for long-time readers: the conclusion of a story he left pending more than three decades ago.
J.M. DeMatteis returns to his most memorable Spider-Man era
DeMatteis has teamed up with artist Humberto Ramos to create an epilogue to his celebrated Harry Osborn as Green Goblin saga, developed during the 90s alongside the late Sal Buscema.
This is not a minor chapter in the character's history. DeMatteis is responsible for arcs as memorable as Kraven's Last Hunt and much of the emotional drama of the Osborn family, always with a more psychological perspective than is typical in the superhero genre.
The writer himself has acknowledged that when he was creating those stories, he never imagined they would continue to have such relevance decades later. As he explains, his only goal at the time was to write the best comics possible and meet his deadlines.
An epilogue focused on the consequences of Harry Osborn’s death
The new story revisits one of the toughest episodes of that era: the death of Harry Osborn.
DeMatteis has noted that at the time, he would have liked to have an additional issue to dwell on the emotional impact of that loss on the rest of the characters. He couldn't do it then, as after closing Spectacular Spider-Man #200, he moved almost immediately to work on one of the chapters of Maximum Carnage.
More than 30 years later, Amazing Spider-Man #1000 finally gives him that opportunity.
The author has clarified that this new tale does not conflict with Harry Osborn's funeral later narrated by Tom DeFalco in Spider-Man Unlimited #1. It is, in his words, a matter of observing the same events from another perspective, without modifying what was already established.
A connection with Peter Parker that has lasted for decades
Few authors have accompanied Spider-Man as long as J.M. DeMatteis. His bond with Peter Parker spans decades in both comics and animation, to the point that the writer himself has joked that he knows the character better than some of his close friends.
His legacy is also closely linked to the Osborn family. DeMatteis was the one who introduced Ambrose Osborn, Norman Osborn's father, an element that ended up being permanently integrated into the Green Goblin mythology.
The writer avoids publicly assessing the extent to which his stories have influenced later versions of the character, although he does express gratitude for having been able to return to Peter Parker's universe on several occasions.
His first collaboration with Humberto Ramos
This epilogue also marks a particular milestone: it is the first time that DeMatteis and Humberto Ramos have worked together on a Spider-Man comic. The writer has highlighted his satisfaction with the final result and has noted his interest in collaborating with the artist again in the future.
With Amazing Spider-Man #1000 now in stores, Marvel combines the arrival of a new threat with a long-awaited narrative closure, giving one of its most influential authors the chance to complete a story that had remained open for more than 30 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amazing Spider-Man #1000?
It is the historic issue of the main Spider-Man collection, which includes a main story with a new villain and several additional stories signed by iconic authors of the character.
Who writes the Harry Osborn epilogue?
The epilogue is written by J.M. DeMatteis, with art by Humberto Ramos, and revisits the Harry Osborn as Green Goblin saga that DeMatteis himself developed in the 90s.
Does this story contradict the previously published Harry Osborn funeral?
No. DeMatteis himself has clarified that his epilogue does not conflict with the funeral narrated by Tom DeFalco in Spider-Man Unlimited #1, but rather offers an additional perspective on the same events.
Why did this story take more than 30 years to be published?
DeMatteis explains that after finishing Spectacular Spider-Man #200, he moved almost immediately to work on Maximum Carnage, without time to develop an issue focused on the emotional consequences of Harry Osborn's death.
Is this the first time DeMatteis has worked with Humberto Ramos?
Yes, this collaboration in Amazing Spider-Man #1000 is the first time both have worked together on a Spider-Man comic.
