Marvel fans tried to digest this bold move, two fortunate individuals knew the full story behind Peter's apparent death and Otto’s rise to heroism.

As author Dan Slott explained during a at WonderCon 2025, his pivotal "Superior Spider-Man" arc, which began in Amazing Spider-Man #700, featuring art by Humberto Ramos, explored Peter's death, which shook the comic world; however, as Slott revealed, two individuals were privy to the truth about Peter’s fate, Stan Lee and Andrew Garfield.

Slott's story may seem to reveal how celebrities and creators may be more privy to exclusive insight and spoilers, but as the continued, it's clear that the lesson from Slott's stories is how much more rewarding it is for fans outside the know.

Writer Dan Slott Shared The Secret Of "Superior Spider-Man" With Stan Lee And Andrew Garfield

How Spidey's Creator And Portrayer Reacted

Unlike those select few who knew where the "Superior Spider-Man" arc was headed, fans got to ride every moment in the emotional rollercoaster that turned Spider-Man's most tragic moments into one of his greatest triumphs. For two important figures in Spider-Man history, however, the story was spoiled ahead of time. As Dan Slott revealed:

“I got a call from Stan Lee. ‘Is Peter Parker really dead?’ No.” The other person who knew was Andrew Garfield, who Slott met on set for Amazing Spider-Man 2. “So you killed me?” Garfield said, to which Slott broke down the whole plot for him. To which Garfield riffed back, “So I’m a ghost now?”

The "Superior Spider-Man" storyline changed Spider-Man's lore forever. Peter’s sudden death left Otto in control of Peter's body, but the story quickly grew into something deeper. Initially, Otto sought to be a better hero than Peter, using his intellect and ruthlessness.

However, as Otto experienced Peter’s memories, he began to understand the true meaning behind "with great power comes great responsibility," and allowed Peter Parker to recover his former body. Until then, however, Dan Slott’s approach to keeping Peter Parker’s return a secret was nothing short of theatrical. He even went so far as to tell fans at conventions that Peter Parker was "dead" and "not coming back," keeping the truth under wraps. In spite of it all, though, Stan Lee and Andrew Garfield were given the story's details due to their unique connections with the source material.

Dan Slott's Commitment To Fans Is A Vital Part Of The Legacy Of Spider-Man

Keeping The Story Alive

Stories like "Superior Spider-Man" show the importance of maintaining character integrity and loyalty to the fans. Dan Slott’s ability to weave such a dramatic twist while keeping the truth hidden speaks to his respect for both the legacy of Peter Parker and the Spider-Man fandom. Slott’s treatment of Peter Parker’s legacy revealed how much he valued keeping the magic alive for readers. The way he handled Peter's return was part of a larger plan to preserve the narrative's emotional impact. Even as Slott shared secrets with Stan Lee and Garfield, he never compromised the journey for fans.

Unlike Stan Lee and Andew Garfield, fans were given the full experience, and took every emotional twist and turn alongside the characters in the series.

Dan Slott’s careful storytelling, while involving special insiders, never detracted from the experience fans had when they finally learned the truth. Unlike Stan Lee and Andrew Garfield, fans were given the full experience, and took every emotional twist and turn alongside the characters in the series. By keeping the story alive for the audience and respecting the true essence of Spider-Man, Slott ensured that the character’s legacy would continue to thrive. At the end of the day, that is what remains most important for comic book readers, Spider-Man fans in particular.

The Superior Spider-Man is available in its entirety now from Marvel.