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Spider-Man’s Most Controversial Story Officially Set to Be Undone After Almost Two Decades
Doctor Doom’s takeover of hell in *Captain America* #16 has made contracts with Mephisto null and void, potentially setting the stage to undo the deal at the centre of *One More Day*. The 2007 story altered Spider-Man’s reality and has shaped his comics for nearly two decades, so reversing it could have major consequences for Peter Parker and Mary Jane.
In *One More Day*, Peter made a deal with Mephisto to save Aunt May, giving up his marriage to Mary Jane in return. The resulting rewrite also changed who knew Peter was Spider-Man and restored Harry Osborn to life. A panel in *Captain America* #16 hints that Spider-Man senses a change, but the outcome is not confirmed; writer Chip Zdarsky is also set to write an Avengers story featuring the team facing Mephisto, while Marvel has teased a project called “1 Day” for June 2027.
In short
- Doom has voided contracts made with Mephisto.
- Spider-Man’s altered history may be at stake.
- Marvel has teased a “1 Day” project for June 2027.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Undoing the deal could restore a defining part of Peter Parker’s history and let the comics reckon with the lasting consequences of a choice made under extreme pressure. Supporters may also see it as a chance to reunite Peter and Mary Jane in a way that honours their relationship and gives both characters new stories to tell.
The case against
Keeping the deal in place preserves nearly two decades of continuity and the distinct version of Spider-Man’s world that followed it. Reversing it could simplify a complicated story into a reset, disrupt later character arcs, and make major changes to Peter’s life feel temporary whenever a new creative team wants to revisit them.
Explained simply
Mephisto is a supernatural figure in Marvel comics who makes bargains, while Doctor Doom is a powerful rival who has recently taken control of hell in the story described here. Their actions matter because the rules governing deals with Mephisto may have changed.
In the 2007 story One More Day, Spider-Man, whose real name is Peter Parker, made a bargain with Mephisto to save his aunt May. The deal erased Peter’s marriage to Mary Jane from the history of his world and changed other events, including who knew his secret identity and Harry Osborn’s return to life.
That rewrite has shaped Peter and Mary Jane’s stories ever since. The possible effect on their old bargain is not yet confirmed, so readers do not know whether those changes will be reversed or what that would mean for the characters.