10 Best Spider-Man Eras J.M. DeMatteis Should Expand Next

Over the past few years, acclaimed writer J.M. DeMatteis has returned to Spider-Man‘s comic book realm. The Ben Reilly: Spider-Man miniseries reminded readers of Ben’s era as the Sensational Spider-Man following his Scarlet Spider debut. Similarly, Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt is a great companion to the dark “Kraven’s Last Hunt.”

DeMatteis wrote Spider-Man comics during both these eras. He also expanded Ben Reilly’s origin story during the Clone Saga with Spider-Man: The Lost Years miniseries. With so many Spider-Man writing credits to his name, Marvel should encourage DeMatteis to explore even more Spider-Man comic eras like Gwen Stacy‘s death or the time Peter Parker had six arms.

10 Doctor Octopus Nearly Defeats Spider-Man

Though Steve Ditko remained the lead artist on Amazing Spider-Man until issue #38, “If This Be My Destiny” in Amazing Spider-Man #31-33 is the perfect finale for his run. Doctor Octopus returns (in secret as the Master Planner) to finally end Spider-Man’s short heroic run.

The internal dialogue is incredible, Spider-Man lifting the debris is iconic, and supporting characters like Aunt May really shine. This would be a great era for J.M. DeMatteis to explore Peter Parker’s self-doubt and growth––how Peter really accepted the role of Spider-Man and was motivated by his loved ones.

9 Peter Parker Quits Being Spider-Man

Since Amazing Spider-Man #50, Peter Parker has quit being Spider-Man dozens of times. Peter can’t go more than a few years without the weight of Spider-Man bearing down too heavily on his shoulders. However, “Spider-Man No More” started the trend of heroes examining their lives in and out of costumes.

While “Spider-Man No More” is a classic, it’s only one issue. A seasoned writer like J.M. DeMatteis could definitely find a story worth telling in that short time Peter Parker quit being Spider-Man. Maybe he was forced to battle a villain out-of-costume. Maybe he unknowingly allowed a villain to roam free while on Spider-Man hiatus.

8 Spider-Man Mutated More Arms

Stan Lee left readers on quite a cliffhanger when he revealed that Peter Parker grew two extra sets of arms in what is now dubbed the “Six Arms Saga” in Amazing Spider-Man comics.It’s not much of a “saga,” as the arc only lasted three issues and Spider-Man soon ditched the extra arms he gained.

While the six-armed Spider-Man has appeared in future comics and movies like Across the Spider-Verse, Marvel could really delve deeper into Peter’s “neogenic nightmare.” Perhaps Peter had to live with six arms longer than readers realized, improving his life as Spider-Man, but worsening his life as Peter Parker.

7 Gwen Stacy’s Death Changed Everything For Peter Parker

Gwen Stacy died in Amazing Spider-Man #121, and her death at the hands of the Green Goblin sent ripples through Peter Parker’s life for years, eventually leading into the Original Clone Saga. Even today, Spider-Man still feels the weight of Gwen’s death, especially when the Jackal and clones are involved.

The original Amazing Spider-Man series explored the aftermath of Gwen’s death beautifully. Peter and MJ ironically grew closer following Gwen’s untimely demise. However, there’s always room for more stories, and just like Spider-Man: Blue, Marvel could explore the post-Gwen Stacy era in even greater detail.

6 Ben Reilly Debuts As Spider-Man’s Clone

Ben Reilly is a fan-favorite addition to the Spider-Man mythology. Ben has all of Peter Parker’s memories, but his life is even more tragic. Following the Original Clone Saga, Peter Parker married Mary Jane Watson and continued as Spider-Man. Thanks to the Spider-Man: The Lost Years miniseries, readers know that Ben Reilly was forced into hiding, questioning the meaning of his life.

The Lost Years solidified Ben’s character and struggle to become the Sensational Spider-Man. A Spider-Man: The Lost Years sequel that further explores Ben Reilly’s recovery would be incredible, of course, with story and art by J.M. DeMatteis and John Romita Jr. again.

5 Spider-Man Asks: Who Is The Hobgoblin?

Who is the Hobgoblin? Many readers in the 1980s asked that same question while reading Amazing Spider-Man. Like Green Goblin before him, the Hobgoblin’s identity was a mystery that readers would unravel over dozens of comics. However, background writing and editorial disputes muddied the reveal, so Hobgoblin received several over the years.

Ned Leeds, Roderick Kingsley and Jason Macendale have all been the Hobgoblin in one form or another. And while the Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives miniseries all but confirmed Hobgoblin’s true identity, many Bronze Age Spider-Man fans would love to revisit that era with new Hobgoblin stories.

4 The Sin-Eater Stalks Spider-Man’s Loved Ones

What if Jean DeWolff wasn’t the Sin-Eater’s most famous victim? Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin, also written by J.M. DeMatteis, explores a similar premise concerning the Green Goblin. Whereas most readers assumed Norman Osborn was the first to don the Goblin motif, Shadow of the Green Goblin revealed Proto-Goblin, a red monster seemingly created from Osborn’s experiments.

The Sin-Eater was not a colorful villain but one of the worst murderers in Spider-Man comics, killing Jean DeWolff, a prominent supporting character in the Spectacular Spider-Man comics. A miniseries exploring a potential unknown victim (or further victims) could strengthen Sin-Eater’s character and add even more tragedy to the iconic Spider-Man era.

3 Spider-Man & Mary Jane Watson’s Wedding Issue

Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson’s marriage is a touchy subject for many Amazing Spider-Man fans. Some feel the couple should never have married in the first place, but they feel dissatisfied with “One More Day” and the way Marvel retconned that decision. Others feel Spider-Man and MJ belong together and are similarly dissatisfied with the lengths Marvel has gone to keep them apart.

For those who love the couple and miss the days leading up to their marriage, a Spider-Man comic set in the era right before Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21, the wedding issue, would make a lot of people very happy. It would return them to a simpler time before dealings with Mephisto and spells with Doctor Strange.

2 The Symbiote Becomes Venom

Created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane, Venom has become just as iconic as Spider-Man. Venom quickly became a Marvel antihero during his “Lethal Protector” days. Since King in Black and “Summer of Symbiotes,” Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote are official heroes in Marvel Comics.

Many readers miss the old days when Venom was the scariest, deadliest Spider-Man villain. A new Spider-Man miniseries, taking cues from the Symbiote Spider-Man miniseries, could return readers to a time after Amazing Spider-Man #300 when Venom stalked and tormented both Peter Parker and MJ Watson.

1 Calypso & The Lizard Torment Spider-Man

After illustrating Amazing Spider-Man comics for years, artist Todd McFarlane finally gained full control over his own Spider-Man comic series. “Torment” was the first story arc, lasting five issues. Spider-Man battled the Lizard and Calypso in a bloody, brutal confrontation that McFarlane’s art was made to present.

Calypso manipulates the Lizard, who, by extension, poisons Spider-Man. A “Torment” sequel could expand that time period by delving into potential hallucinations that both Lizard and Spider-Man experienced. The Spider-Man comic could also be a newer version of “Shed,” the Lizard’s last iconic story arc.