WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #50 by Nick Spencer, Patrick Gleason, Edgar Delgado & VC's Joe Caramagna, on sale now.
The figure known as Kindred has been a looming presence in Spider-Man's life for approximately two years, resurrecting several of the web-slinger's dead foes and tormenting Peter Parker in his dreams. In Amazing Spider-Man #50, the decaying villain was finally revealed as Peter's former friend Harry Osborn-- and writer Nick Spencer says fan theories helped shape that shocking revelation.
"When Kindred first appeared back in the very first issue of our run, with very few hints given, people were already guessing it was Harry. And that tells you everything you need to know about why it had to be him, funny enough," Spencer told CBR. "There is something about that wound that did not quite heal right."
Spencer also explained, "For a book that is driven so much by a moral lesson about responsibility, there are so many things that have been sort of swept under the rug, never to be mentioned again." On that basis, Spencer stated that Peter was in need of a "fearless personal inventory" and that Harry would deliver it to him. He also said that he was pleased by the fan's reaction to Harry as Kindred. "It's not that Harry wasn't on the list of suspects. He was. It's the can of worms he opens. How did he become this? When did the turn happen? What is he after?"
The Amazing Spider-Man writer then teased "Last Remains" will explore these questions, teasing, "'Last Remains' is where all that starts to unravel and there are plenty of twists and turns to this part of the story that I feel confident no one will see coming."
Harry made his biggest move as Kindred during the "Sins Rising" story arc, bringing the Sin-Eater back to life and setting the villain on a warpath against his father Norman. Sin-Eater went on to cleanse Norman of the Green Goblin. Kindred has also used his powers to possess several of Peter's allies.
Peter and Harry's battle continues with Amazing Spider-Man #50.LR, which is part of the "Last Remains" storyline. It goes on sale Oct. 21 from Marvel.