One of the most iconic Spider-Man images in history is also one of the most hotly debated, with many fans claiming it isn’t even a picture of Peter Parker, while others argue that it absolutely is. So, what’s the deal with this legendary piece of Spider-Man art, and who is really under the mask?

Below is a stunning piece of Spider-Man cover art that has become one of the defining images of the superhero. The cover was drawn by John Romita Sr., inked by John Romita Jr., and colored by José Villarrubia for Peter Parker: Spider-Man #1 (1999). At first glance, it seems clear that this variant cover depicts Peter Parker’s Spider-Man .

Spider-Man Peter Parker cover-2

However, some fans believe it actually shows Mattie Franklin, who took up the mantle after Peter stopped being Spider-

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