For fans of *Spider-Man: The Animated Series*, there’s exciting news on the horizon: a new comic series titled *Spider-Man '94* is set to expand on the unresolved cliffhanger from the show’s final episode. However, the original writer and producer of the animated series, John Semper Jr., has revealed he was not contacted or consulted by Marvel in any capacity regarding the new project.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) dated June 18, 2025, Semper shared his initial reaction to the announcement: “I got a text message this morning from my good friend, Matt Dunford, telling me that Marvel is ‘continuing’ my Spider-Man animated series in comic book form in a four-issue limited series called *Spider-Man '94*.” He went on to clarify, “Since I will no doubt be asked about it by fans of the series: NO, I am NOT involved with this comic book and no one at Marvel approached me to be involved in any way. Matt’s text message was the first I heard of it.”
Spider-Man '94 #1 Cover Art Gallery
Semper served as the showrunner for *Spider-Man: The Animated Series*, which originally aired from 1994 to 1998. The series is famously credited with introducing the concept that later evolved into the widely popular “Spider-Verse” storyline. In the show’s dramatic finale, Madame Web sends Spider-Man into another dimension to locate the real Mary Jane Watson after she vanishes through a portal created by the Green Goblin — a cliffhanger that has remained unresolved for decades.
Despite not being involved in the new comic, Semper acknowledged the talent of the series’ new writer, J.M. DeMatteis, stating, “His amazing body of work over the years in both animation and comic books speaks for itself, and I’m positive this new comic is in great hands. Where he now chooses to take the series story-wise is entirely his decision. But, for the record, they are NOT my creative choices, nor do they represent any oversight by me.”
Semper also expressed a sense of disappointment that Marvel did not reach out to him as a courtesy, especially given his contributions to the franchise. “Yes, it would have been nice (some might even say, respectful) if Marvel had reached out to me at some point as a courtesy. But I have long ago abandoned all expectation that Marvel would acknowledge any of my contributions to the Marvel universe – like, for instance, my creation of what is now known as the ‘Spider-Verse.’”
The “Spider-Verse” concept has since become a major part of Marvel’s storytelling, inspiring critically acclaimed animated films such as *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* (2018), *Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse* (2023), and the upcoming *Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse*, scheduled for release in 2027.
Semper concluded his post on a positive note, writing, “I wish them well and encourage us all to celebrate with good cheer this 30th anniversary year of *SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES*.” He also teased that he would soon be “launching my own celebration of my series in the very near future” via his personal social media channels.
*Spider-Man '94 #1* is scheduled for release on September 3, 2025, marking a new chapter for fans of the classic animated series — though some will undoubtedly wonder what might have been had the original creative team been brought back to see the story through.
