After fifty years of spinning webs around top-notch criminals, Peter Parker has been widely considered a mainstay in the comic series "Spiderman."  

However, to the surprise of many die-hard fans, Parker will reportedly be out of the series in its 700th issue. While Spider-Man will still be up to his usual antics, a newer and fresher version of the character is said to be debuting.

Writer Dan Slott, who's been creatively working on the popular comic for most of Marvel Entertainment's past 100 issues, told My Fox 8 that the storyline will be a dramatically different one for the Stan Lee superhero.

"This is an epic turn. I've been writing Spider-Man for 70-plus issues. Every now and then, you have to shake it up," he said. "The reason Spider-Man is one of the longest running characters is [because] they always find a way to keep it fresh. Something to shake up the mix." 

Issue No. 700 will feature a mind-trapped Parker inside the dying body of his enemy Otto Octavius. Within the pages of the special issue, the two rivals go head-to-head, but it's the antagonist who eventually prevails while Parker winds up being "gone for good."

"Gone are his days of villainy, but since it's Doc Ock and he has that ego, he's not going to try and just be Spider-man, he's going to try to be the best Spider-Man ever," Slott added.

Although Parker may be out of the picture, Editor Stephen Wacker explained that the late character's presence will still be felt throughout the future of "Spider-Man."

"His life is still important to the book because it affects everything that Doctor Octopus does as Spider-Man," he said. "Seeing a supervillian go through this life is the point - trying to be better than the hero he opposed. Doc has sort of inspired by Peter's life. That's what I mean when he talks about the shadow he casts."

The controversial 700th issue of "Spider-Man" hit newsstands Wednesday, Dec. 26.

Tags: Spiderman Marvel