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The short answer
Spider-Boy is Bailey Briggs: a teenager who first appeared in Spider-Man #7, written by Dan Slott and drawn by Mark Bagley. He claims he fought alongside Peter and Miles, but a shift in reality wiped him from their memories. His powers and his place in the Spider-Verse are just below.
Contents
In 2023, Marvel surprised everyone by introducing a brand-new character into the wider Spider-Man universe: Spider-Boy. From his very first appearances, he sparked fans' curiosity, muddled the timelines and reignited the debates around the multiverse. But who is he really? An alternative version of Peter Parker? A clone? An impostor? This article takes you deep into the origin, the powers and the implications of a new hero who looks set to become a central figure of the modern Spider-Verse.
A surprise appearance in Spider-Man #7 (2023)
Spider-Boy made his debut in issue Spider-Man #7, written by Dan Slott and drawn by Mark Bagley. That issue, already heavy with fallout from the Spider-Verse events, introduces a young hero appearing out of nowhere… yet claiming he has always been part of Peter Parker's life. Peter, though, does not recognise him.
The young lad is called Bailey Briggs, and by his own account he lived through countless adventures alongside Spider-Man. Yet he was wiped from the collective memory after a mysterious event involving a shift in reality. An intriguing way in, one that recalls other Marvel stories such as One More Day, where reality and memory are manipulated to rewrite the hero's history. To go further on this subject, see also Spider-Boy (Bailey Briggs): the erased clone nobody remembered knowing.
The issue
Spider-Man #7, written by Dan Slott and drawn by Mark Bagley.
The hero
Bailey Briggs claims he has always been part of Peter Parker's life.
The mystery
He was wiped from the collective memory by a shift in reality.
Who is Bailey Briggs, alias Spider-Boy, really?
Bailey Briggs is not just yet another Peter Parker clone or a parallel version. He has an identity, a history and powers all of his own that clearly set him apart from the other Spider-People of the multiverse. From his very first pages, he comes across as a sharp, mischievous teenager, deeply attached to his role as a hero.
Here is what we know about him so far:
Unknown origin:
Bailey claims he fought alongside Peter and Miles, but neither of them remembers him. That points to cosmic or magical tampering.
An intact memory:
Unlike the others, he remembers everything: his battles against Morbius, his training sessions with Spider-Man, his missions in the streets of New York.
A strong link to the Spider-Verse:
He claims to be an essential cog in the multiversal events, notably during the Spider-Verse and Spider-Geddon arcs.
A personality of his own:
Less tormented than Peter, more energetic than Miles, Bailey brings a narrative freshness, with a more teenage style, but every bit as heroic.
A recognisable design:
His costume blends the classic Spider-Man look with more modern touches (stylised eyes, red gloves, black boots), which makes him a firm favourite with new readers and collectors.
This new character also raises a deeper question: what if other heroes had been forgotten by the multiverse? With Spider-Boy, Marvel explores the fascinating idea of collective amnesia and heroic revisionism.
To learn more about the other characters from the Spider-Verse, do take a look at our articles on Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Gwen and Spider-Punk. Each hero brings their own take on power and responsibility.
And if you fancy stepping into these heroes' shoes, our Spider-Man costume collection is perfect for fans of all ages. If you are keen on decorating, have a look at our Spider-Verse posters, ideal for dressing a bedroom or an office in the colours of the multiversal spider.
Spider-Boy in the comics: an explosive arrival
Spider-Boy was officially introduced in Spider-Man #7 (2023), written by Dan Slott and drawn by Mark Bagley. This was no simple cameo: from his very first appearance, Bailey Briggs generated a massive buzz in the Marvel community. And with good reason: not only was he a ‘lost’ character of the multiverse, he also seemed to know Peter Parker and Miles Morales intimately… while neither of them had ever seen him before.
In the following issues, we discover a character who is:
Likeable and funny
Bailey fires off one-liners mid-fight, much like a young Ultimate-era Peter.
Scarred by being forgotten
He takes being wiped from the other Spider-Men's memories very badly, which creates a strong emotional tension.
Heroic all the same
Even without any recognition, Spider-Boy carries on saving lives, with a touching sincerity.
The writers play cleverly on the themes of memory and identity. By relegating Spider-Boy to the rank of the multiverse's forgotten man, Marvel opens up a reflection on what makes a hero: is it his deeds, or the way others remember them?
This narrative device is not unlike other famous Spider-Man arcs, such as One More Day, where Peter loses his relationship with MJ to save Aunt May, or The Other, where he is literally reborn through a mystical transformation.
If you enjoy this kind of story, where heroes fight against being forgotten, have a browse through our collection of Spider-Man figures: each piece is a tangible reminder of the multiverse's most memorable adventures.
You can also find similar deep dives in our articles on lesser-known but essential characters, such as Silk or Flash Thompson.
A promising future for Spider-Boy in the multiverse
Spider-Boy is still young in the Marvel universe, but everything suggests he is here to stay. His first solo series, plainly titled ‘Spider-Boy’, launched at the end of 2023, confirming the enthusiasm of fans and publishers alike. In it he gradually uncovers his lost memories and his role in the Spider-Verse, and tries to rebuild an identity in a world that has forgotten him.
Several paths are opening up for Bailey Briggs:
A gradual integration into the major story arcs of Marvel, alongside Peter, Miles or Silk. An animated adaptation or a live-action one via the upcoming Disney+ series or multiverse films. A pivotal role in the follow-ups to Spider-Geddon or Beyond the Spider-Verse.
It has to be said that Marvel has every interest in capitalising on this new-generation Spider-Man: younger, more naive, but with enormous emotional potential. His quest to be recognised, to make his mark without crushing anyone, and to find his place again in a fractured world makes him a symbolic figure of the modern multiverse.
The major arcs
A gradual integration alongside Peter, Miles or Silk.
The screen
An animated or live-action adaptation.
A pivotal role
In the follow-ups to Spider-Geddon or Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Conclusion
Spider-Boy is not just one more Spider-Man spin-off: he is a new voice, a mirror for young readers, a symbol of what Marvel does best when it reinvents without betraying. Bailey Briggs may have been forgotten, but he has everything it takes to become unforgettable. And as he spins his own web across the multiverse, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning of the adventure.
Forgotten but unforgettable
Spider-Boy is not a mere spin-off: he is a new voice and a mirror for young readers. Bailey Briggs was forgotten, but he has everything it takes to become unforgettable.
