Marvel's upcoming milestone issue, The Amazing Spider-Man #1000, is set to explore a potentially tragic turn for Aunt May. A recently released preview teases a dire fate for Peter Parker's aunt, building on the cliffhanger from The Amazing Spider-Man #35 where she suffered a major stroke.
The lead story, penned by Joe Kelly with art by Pepe Larraz, is slated to deliver a "shocking fate" for Aunt May and introduce a new supervillain named Ravage. This development follows a history of near-fatal incidents for the character, including a fabricated death in 1995's The Amazing Spider-Man #400 and a life-threatening condition in the 2007 storyline "Spider-Man: One More Day," which led to Peter sacrificing his marriage to Mary Jane Watson.
However, the latest preview offers a glimpse into May's immediate aftermath, showing her awakening in a hospital and revealing she no longer recognizes Peter. This suggests her stroke may have resulted in significant brain damage and memory loss. While a fatal stroke remains a possibility, the scenario could also establish a new status quo where May's memory loss serves as a unique form of emotional distress for Peter.
The Amazing Spider-Man #1000 is scheduled for release on September 30. A second printing with variant covers is planned for October 28.