This popular Spider-Man animated series is getting revived, but not the way you think

Spider-Man fans across the world were overjoyed to learn that Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994 to 1998) will finally make a comeback. Twenty-seven years ago, the Season 5 finale ended with a cliffhanger in which Peter Parker, in his Spidey costume, teamed up with Madame Web to search and rescue Mary Jane Watson, who was trapped in an alternate universe. The series, however, was cancelled.

But, Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3, the Season 1 finale of X-Men'97, confirmed that Peter Parker from the '90s animated series re-united with Mary Jane. It must be noted that both this series and X-Men: The Animated Series crossed over in the '90s. Thus, X-Men '97 Season 1 set the stage for this iconic 30-year-old Spidey series to return, but in the form of a comic miniseries releasing in September 2025.

The new Spider-Man comic miniseries explained:

But the return is not the way you think, though. This time, the series will be returning in the form of a four-issue comic book miniseries titled "Spider-Man '94". This miniseries will be written by J.M. DeMatteis, the writer who has worked on numerous fan-favorite comic book storylines and even worked on the animated show. Artist Jim Towe will be the one working on the artwork for the four issues.

As stated before, the original series finale ended on a cliffhanger, and the X-Men '97 Season 1 finale hints at its resolution without explaining how it was resolved. Now, it seems that the new four-issue mini-series will provide an answer Peter and MJ of this continuity were reunited. The synopsis of this four-issue miniseries reads:

"After searching to the ends of the Multiverse, PETER PARKER – the AMAZING, the SPECTACULAR, the RADIOACTIVE Web-Head himself – A.K.A. SPIDER-MAN, swings back into the streets of New York City with his beloved Mary Jane WATSON in tow! But what’s this? One of these villains is not like the others: Witness this universe’s debut of not one, but TWO of Spider-Man’s greatest villains from the comics! Legendary Spider-Scribe J.M. DeMATTEIS and rising star artist JIM TOWE bring you the return you’ve all been waiting thirty years for! And you’re never going to expect the twists and turns ahead for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Break out your action figures, and post up in front of the TV as we bring you back to the greatest era of animated super hero television in history!"

The 90s series was ahead of its time because it adapted Secret Wars and even provided an early glimpse of the Spider-Verse

The fifth season of the animated series is where the animated show was firing on all cylinders. The Wall-Crawler crossed over with the X-Men (the same versions as seen in X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men'97) in the second season, but it was in the fifth season that the show delivered the one-two punch of the three-part Secret Wars and two-part Spider Wars, which was also the season 5 finale.

The Spider Wars two-parter is special because it may have sown the seeds of Spider-Verse. The two-part finale features Madame Web bringing together a team of different Peter Parkers across the five other versions of himself across the multiverse. The Beyonder and Madame Web bring these Spider-Men together to take on the deadliest foe yet, a Peter Parker corrupted by the Carnage symbiote.

J.M. DeMatteis celebrated the return of the animated series in comic book form by giving this statement to IGN:

"The 1990s Spider-Man animated series has become a beloved part of Spidey lore—it was the introduction to Peter Parker and his universe for an entire generation—and I’m delighted to be diving back into that universe. We’re treating this as the next season of the show, which means introducing new villains, new challenges, new adventures for Peter—while doing our best to remain true to the creative spirit that John Semper and Company established with the original show."

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The first issue of Spider-Man '94 will be released on September 3, 2025. Are you excited for the return of this animated version of the Wall-Crawler that defined the character for every millennial?

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