J. Michael Straczynski is back flying the Spider-Man ship solo in a 2-part story arc leading up to October's AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #500! Entitled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY," the story kicks off with a major inter-dimensional threat unveiled on midtown Manhattan, spurring Spider-Man into battle alongside a who's who roster of guest-stars, including the FF, Thor, Iron Man, Cyclops, and Dr. Strange. This is JMS and JRJr. throwing down with some major widescreen action, and it leads to the monumental #500, featuring a moment that will catch comicdom completely by surprise.