Peter Parker killed in Spidey comic series

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The 50-year run of America's "Amazing Spider-Man" comic-book series ended with the death of character Peter Parker at the hands of his nemesis Doctor Octopus.

Peter was a New York high-school student who became the crime-fighting superhero Spider-Man after he was bitten by a radioactive spider.

His adventures concluded in Wednesday's "Amazing Spider-Man" No. 700 when he lost a battle with Doctor Octopus, who switches brains with Peter then kills his former body with Peter's mind trapped inside.

The issue ends on a hopeful note, however, as Peter passes on his memories to Doc Ock, inspiring the villain to continue the webslinger's good work.

"This is Moriarty in the head of Sherlock. This is Prince John inside of Robin Hood. This is the greatest villain inside the body of the greatest hero and trying to do good," Marvel writer Dan Slott told USA Today. "This is a guy who was a couple steps way from a bucket list, and now he's got a whole new lease on life. That's really going to change him."

"The Amazing Spider-Man" will be followed by a new darker comic-book series called "Superior Spider-Man," The Hollywood Reporter said.

Andrew Garfield played the dual role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in "The Amazing Spider-Man" blockbuster movie this year.