Marvel has released the first image of the character who will be taking over for Peter Parker after his “death” in Ultimate Spider-Man #160. The image shows a decidedly different costume for Spider-Man, and it looks like Marvel is putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to the “Death of Spider-Man” event currently running in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and Ultimate Comics Avengers vs New Ultimates.

“We called this story ‘Death of Spider-Man’ for a reason. This is a huge story that will have fans around the world talking for a long time as we set the stage for the debut of our new Spider-Man,” Marvel Editor In Chief Axel Alonso said in a statement released by the publisher. Alonso also said via the New York Post, “That’s not Peter Parker. There’s going to be someone new wearing the costume.”

See the new image here below.

The new costume is certainly interesting, and is unlike any costume we’ve seen on the wall crawler before. We have seen a wide range of new costumes for the regular Marvel universe Spider-Man in the last few months so this isn’t really a new thing, it’s just a new thing for the Ultimate universe Spidey. I’m sure toymakers are just drooling at the bit for the chance to turn all these costumes into new figures.

Marvel’s Ultimate universe has never been afraid to mix things up and kill off major characters when the creators think it is needed or interesting. Killing off Spider-Man however, arguably Marvel’s most popular character, is a big step and I don’t think I was alone in wondering how far Marvel would go when they announced the story. As a cynical comic fan, when I hear “Death of Spider-Man” I assumed they meant some kind of metaphorical death, I mean, how can Marvel kill off its meal ticket? It looks like they are going for it though, so I’m sure we’re all curious to see how this storyline ends and who will be someone new behind the mask. Now we just have to wait to see what happens.

[Source: Marvel]