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Mark Bagley: The Amazing Spider-man #400, page 40 (Death of aunt May)

Artists: Mark Bagley (Penciller) ,  Larry Mahlstedt (Inker) ,  Randy Emberlin (Inker)

15 Comments  -   4,453 Views  -   4 Likes


Mark Bagley: The Amazing Spider-man #400, page 40 (Death of aunt May) Comic Art
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Additional Images:


Cover AS#400 (published)

AS#400 page 29 (published)

 

   

Artwork Details

Title: Mark Bagley: The Amazing Spider-man #400, page 40 (Death of aunt May)
Artist: Mark Bagley (Penciller)
Artist: Larry Mahlstedt (Inker)
Artist: Randy Emberlin (Inker)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Interior Page
For Sale Status: Permanent collection
Views: 4,453
Likes on CAF:
Comments: 15
Added to Site: 6/27/2011
Comic Art Archive: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue: 400   Page: 40

Description

Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 # 400 Page 40. April, 1995

Appearing in "The Gift"

Editor-In-Chief...................... Bob Budiansky
Cover Artist........................... Mark Bagley
............................................. Larry Mahlstedt
Writers................................. J.M. DeMatteis
Pencillers.............................. Mark Bagley
Inker..................................... Larry Mahlstedt
............................................. Randy Emberlin
Colourists............................. Bob Sharen
Letterers............................... Bill Oakley
Editors.................................. Mark Bernardo
............................................. Danny Fingeroth



After 400 issues of ASM, and thirty-four years worth of appearances, Peter Parker's Aunt May finally passed away. Recently, in Amazing #391, Aunt May had yet another heart attack, this one brought on by the trauma of the supposed return of Peter's parents and their subsequent exposure as in-genuine. She fell into a coma, and stayed that way for eight issues.
In issue 400 she recovers and returns home for a week, during which time May, Peter, Mary Jane, and Mary Jane's Aunt Anna spend the week together, enjoying each other's company. At the top of the Empire State building, May shocks Peter by telling him that she has known for years that he is Spider-Man. She apparently denied it to herself for that time.
Peter spends a few last, quiet hours with her, and she silently passes away. The funeral is held, and she is buried next to Uncle Ben. The Scarlet Spider shows up later, to pay his respects privately.

*************************

COMMENTS:

The Amazing Spider-Man # 400 is, without doubt, one of the best Spider-Man comics in the early nineties. In it we see Aunt May, a woman who had been like a mother for Peter Parker (if not more), has died surrounded by her family. In this dramatic page, we see the subsequent reaction: pain and anguish ... but also anger. And is that Ben Reilly (a clone of Peter Parker) is crying with desperate on the roof, because he has not been able to say goodbye to her, has no right, or so he believes, because it is only a mere copy of the arachnid.

Notably, Mark Bagley did an incredible job on this page. The German-born artist is one of the best storytellers in the middle. Such was the quality of their work, than J.M. DeMatteis (writer of the story) decided not to put text onto the page. The strength of the page speaks for itself, in this case, texts could hinder the drawing.

Finally, to say that this is one of the key moments in the history of Spider-Man. Aunt May had the perfect death. Unfortunately, years later, "she resurrected". A serious bug for the absurd and unnecessary situation and the fact that they will never again make as perfect a death like this.

(Text courtesy by Francesc Martinez)

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Last Login: September 2025
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Comments on this Artwork

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Keith Veronese 
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/17/2012

Such a sad moment.

Michael Kenyon 
Member Since 2008

Posted on 8/10/2012

J.M. DeMatteis brought incrdible tension into his stories. Bagley, often chided for his love of action poses, shows his true talents and tender touches on this wrenching page. Of course the decision to bring May back was foolish but Marvel is famous for these bad calls. This is a page to be proud of and of course irreplaceable.

Dimitrios Z 
Member Since 2011

Posted on 10/19/2012

Nice page from a landmark issue and excellent team that made every piece memorable.

Johan Tudts 
Member Since 2008

Posted on 6/29/2013

Great and emotional piece, another gem in your collection +++

Alex B 
Member Since 2008

Posted on 10/23/2013

A perfect beautiful page for a historic moment !

Jason Versaggi 
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/13/2014

Great page from a classic issue by one of the top Spidey artists. Bravo.

Mario Losada 
Member Since 2011

Posted on 8/16/2014

Nice page too. Congratulations

Gal Schwartz 
Member Since 2005

Posted on 6/13/2015

Another very powerful page from a very memorable issue !

Ambros Carrion 
Member Since 2011

Posted on 6/16/2015

¡Ay la leche! ¡Si hasta me ha emocionado! ¡Enhorabuena!

Sean Clarke 
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/26/2016

Dramatic and beautifully staged!

Dadako Dadako 
Member Since 2010

Posted on 7/9/2017

..a very touching moment for this intense strory, you have found an absolutely exquisite way to remember it!

S Riz 
Member Since 2014

Posted on 10/1/2017

Historic page from a classic team. Glad it's with a true Spidey fan.

Nick-le-Fou !! 
Member Since 2016

Posted on 7/6/2018

Heartbreaking moment where you feel the pain they all share, especially Ben's since he couldn't be at May's side and has no other choice but to cry alone on the roof. Great, great page. Congrats, man!!!

Red Raven 
Member Since 2012

Posted on 3/25/2021

Woooooow terrible and historic piece marvel...!

JAVIER CARTOM 
Member Since 2012

Posted on 3/22/2024

Paginon. Y que carga emocional transmite. La saga del clon tendría sus "peros" pero nos brindó también grandes momentos...como esta secuencia. Enhorabuena 

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