The Avengers are in for a big upheaval this year, and things are going to look pretty different for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes when all is said and done. That means a new roster and possibly a new leader, a hero who might not want the glory, but might have no choice to step up and take on the “responsibility.” If that wasn’t enough of a cue, that’s right: it’s Spider-Man.
It’s a promotion many fans would like Tom Holland’s on-screen version of Peter Parker to eventually get in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, becoming the leader of the Avengers in the post-Secret Wars MCU. Audiences will have to wait to find out if Brand New Day, Doomsday, and the second half of the upcoming Avengers duology lead in that direction. For now, though, it seems Peter is being prepped for leadership in Marvel Comics.
The comic book Marvel Universe is having its own Doomsday, the current Avengers: Armageddon crossover. Not every Marvel hero is going to survive, and the Avengers are expected to be in tatters. “Earth’s Mightiest Survivors” will be left to carry on the legacy of their fallen friends and allies.
In the latest issue of Captain America, a tie-in to Armageddon, Spider-Man has a moment with Captain America that reads like it is planting the seed for a passing of the torch from Steve Rogers to Peter Parker. The kind that could happen in a future MCU movie.
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Armageddon!
Spider-Man’s Low Point Amidst “Armageddon” Will Lead Him To Level Up As The Avengers’ Next Leader
Captain America #13, Written By Chip Zdarsky; Art By Ton Lima
In Captain America #13, Steve Rogers is comatose after suffering a near-fatal beating at the hands of Red Hulk. A posse of superheroes has gathered to go make good on the “Avengers” name, as Spidey muses at Cap’s bedside in the issue, but not all of them are going to come home. Peter says he declined to join them, opting to “stay behind and protect New York,” and that decision may have saved his life.
Armageddon is just getting warmed up. The crossover’s attrition rate and body count are still TBD. What is known is that Spider-Man will be one of the heroes left standing when the conflict is over; Marvel has already taken the suspense out of the equation, as far as Peter Parker goes. Captain America #13 finds him at a low point, wishing Rogers were awake to be the natural leader he is. But it might be the rock bottom moment that leads to Spider-Man taking charge like never before.
Spider-Man has been an Avenger previously, but he has never led the team, at least not for an extended period or a permanent basis. Peter Parker is a great partner when it comes to heroic team-ups, but he rarely operates as a leader on the level of Captain America, or X-Men’s Cyclops. Yet it feels like Marvel might finally be ready to embrace a more mature Peter; making Spider-Man the Avengers’ frontman would be a huge step forward for the character.
There Might Be More Experienced Candidates For Avengers Leader, But Spider-Man Is The Right Hero For The Job
Marvel Needs To Let Spider-Man Step Up
Marvel has already announced the majority of its new Avengers lineup, coming in late 2026 after Armageddon wraps up. Major names include Wolverine, Deadpool, Luke Cage, and Captain Marvel, all of whom have more leadership experience than Spider-Man. Carol Danvers, in fact, has been the leader of the main Avengers team for the last several years. Still, Captain America #13 telegraphs that Spider-Man might be the leader they need in this time of crisis.
Captain America and Armageddon are both written by Chip Zdarsky, who will also author the relaunched Avengers series starring “Earth’s Mightiest Survivors.” That means every scene in each of these books is part of the larger puzzle. Zdarsky appears poised to make the bold new era for The Avengers a big swing for Spider-Man too, as Peter Parker takes the next step as an elder statesman of Marvel herodom.
Captain America #13 is available now from Marvel Comics.
How do you feel about Spider-Man leading the Avengers, Marvel fans?
- Movie(s)
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Spider-Man, Spider-Man Strikes Back, Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
- TV Show(s)
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Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Spider-Man Unlimited, Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Spider-Noir
- Comic
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The Amazing Spider-Man
- First Film
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Spider-Man
- First TV Show
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Spider-Man
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Superhero, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age