J. Michael Straczynski is one of the most popular yet controversial writers to ever handle Amazing Spider-Man. He won the Eisner for Best Story with his opening storyline “Coming Home.” And yet he is also reviled by some as the author behind Sins Past and One More Day. Now, Straczynski is returning to spin a new Spidey story with a new villain.
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn will be a five-issue miniseries. Straczynski will be joined on the series by TVA artist Pere Pérez. The first issue will also feature a main cover by legendary artist Adam Hughes.
The new miniseries will be set back in Peter Parker’s college days at Empire State University. It’s a more innocent time in Peter’s life. Gwen Stacy is still alive and Harry Osborn hasn’t become the Green Goblin yet. Mary Jane Watson is still around, and Flash Thompson is still calling him “Puny Parker.” However, just because things are better, doesn’t mean the “ol’ Parker Luck” isn’t still there in full force.
The series will see Spidey facing some of his greatest foes. However, Straczynski is also introducing a terrifying new villain. One whose influence upon the past may reverberate into the present day Marvel Universe.
“JMS wrote some of my favorite Amazing Spider-Man issues of all time,” noted Spider-Editor Nick Lowe. “So when he said he was interested in coming back to Spidey, I had already jumped at the chance and landed bad and twisted my ankle but I’m okay now. Add Pere Pérez, one of the most inventive artists working in comics, Guru eFX on colors and stories of one of the best eras of Spidey’s history?! How lucky are we?!”
“Being a long time Spidey and JMS fan, this gig is a dream come true,” noted Perez. “I expected to have fun drawing the Spider-Man action scenes, but Joe is writing such great dialogue scenes for Peter and the supporting cast that I’m enjoying those even more. To sum up, this book is fun, exciting, moving, and we even have a new villain!”
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn #1 (of 5) arrives in comic shops everywhere on October 8, 2025.