In what may be the hottest news to hit the comic book market this year, Spider-Man is casting his web on-line in a brand-new comic exclusive to America Online. New York-based Marvel Entertainment Group and America Online of Vienna, Virginia, launched Marvel Online (keyword: marvel) mid-July.

Wolverine will be the next character to cross over, followed by a fan-selected comic and a brand-new strip. An eight-page strip will be released weekly for each title.

As well as these digital comic books, the on-line area will provide the ability to chat with other fans, a trivia game and a historical archive of Marvel characters.

The two companies also plan to develop CD-ROMs, comic books and merchandise as part of the joint venture.

Marvel Online is not the first company to produce an on-line comic book. Byron Preiss Multimedia Company of New York introduced its original comics The Skul, The Suit and The 6 under the banner Virtual Comics on its Web site (www.virtualcomics.com) last March.