When it comes to superhero romance, there is such a thing as “the one.” For Superman, it’s Lois Lane. Wonder Woman? Maybe Steve Trevor, though that’s certainly debatable. Batman? Definitely Catwoman, at least before Tom King got a hold of them. As for Spider-Man? Well, as a friend of mine once extensively wrote, it is, and always was, Mary Jane Watson.
Not that you would think so if you’ve read the comic during the past ten plus years. Ever since “One More Day” erased Peter Parker and MJ’s marriage, various writers at Marvel desperately tried pairing Spidey with someone else. None seemed to stick, however, be it Carlie Cooper, Black Cat (again), Silk, Lian Tang, Gwen Stacy’s clone (again), or (really?) Mockingbird. The spin from Marvel for why these romances didn’t work is because the fans wanted Mary Jane back and refused to give these other women a fair shake. Personally, I think the fans were smart enough to recognize a misguided editorial fiat when they saw one.
Since Nick Spencer took over Amazing Spider-Man however, Mary Jane has become Peter’s romantic partner once more. She’s now such a fixture in the comics that Marvel is creating her own spin-off title, aptly named Amazing Mary Jane. After all, if Lois and Catwoman can have their own comics, why not her? Of course, there has to be a reason besides being Spider-Man’s girlfriend for her to have her own title. Hence Amazing Spider-Man #29 (LGY #830).
Having received a lucrative part in a new movie, MJ is off to Hollywood for the next two months. Of course, like anyone in love, Peter is happy for her but doesn’t really want her to go. He’s also paranoid that his being Spider-Man will, somehow, prevent him from seeing her off at the airport. As his Parker Luck would have it, Peter’s sister and former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Teresa, needs her brother’s help in finding her old partner (and ex-boyfriend) who’s been kidnapped by the Chameleon. The result is that Spider-Man must race two ticking clocks at once, and may not even have time stopping both.
Reading Amazing Spider-Man #29 reminded me a lot of a similar story J. Michael Straczynski wrote for Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #42. That also involved Spider-Man wanting to get to the airport on time before MJ’s flight left New York. The big difference, however, is that Peter and MJ were in the midst of a separation during that story. Peter’s overriding fear was that the two of them wouldn’t have a chance to reconcile. As they’re now back together in Spencer’s story, Peter now fears that he’ll lose MJ all over again.
Yet throughout the story, the subtext is that Peter (and the fans) shouldn’t worry. As Aunt May blatantly tells him, Peter and MJ’s love for one another has survived far worse. Moreover, the comic makes the point that MJ wouldn’t stop loving Peter just because something he had to do as Spider-Man kept him occupied. After all, what kind of selfish, inconsiderate person breaks up with someone simply because they were busy trying to save someone’s life? That’s the kind poor storytelling too many writers did to try and create relationship drama between Peter and MJ, and Spencer is having none of it.
That doesn’t mean Spencer isn’t above doing some soap opera angst. The last two pages of Amazing Spider-Man #29 are a blatant, shameless tease that, more than likely, won’t amount to anything. Not under Marvel’s current leadership, anyway. Still, it can offer disillusioned readers a sliver of hope regardless. It wasn’t all that long ago that Marvel’s writers and editor would even entertain having an ending like this in a Spider-Man comic.
It helps, too, that Francesco Manna’s visuals for that final splash page look great. The same goes for the rest of his illustrations in the comic. His is a softer-looking style, applying heavy inks only for night time scenes and darkened rooms. This allows Carlos Lopez’s colors to really stand out, particularly the reds. They’re fairly realistic illustrations, as well. Though, they’re also definitely better suited for whenever characters are in a room talking than punching and kicking someone in the face.
Also, given how there was clearly more to last issue’s Boomerang story, Amazing Spider-Man #29 feels like a sudden interruption. Taken by itself, though, it’s a very good one-shot, and a bittersweet one, as well. Because even though Peter and MJ are not in the same comic (again), they’re still very much still together. They may not be husband and wife, but their love is still as strong as ever.
Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (with possible spoilers)
- Yes, I realize I skipped over Amazing Spider-Man #28. Unfortunately, other obligations got in the way. My overall thoughts on it? Pretty enjoyable, but a little annoyed that we still don’t know what Boomerang stole from Kingpin just as he’s telling Spider-Man. Also, glad to know that Beetle and Randy Robertson’s secret romance will still be a thing.
- Keep in mind, the script written by “Cage McKnight” that MJ is rehearsing with Peter? As Amazing Spider-Man #25 revealed, the real author is Mysterio, along with his master, Kindred. And apparently, he also has a demo reel. That’s a lot of work just to keep Spider-Man’s main squeeze away from him.
- “I was an Uber once.” Well, technically, Pete, it was “Spider-Man” who was the Uber, not you. You and he literally became two different people after being separated by the Isotopic Genome Accelerator, remember?
- Funny how Aunt May reminds Peter that she and MJ’s Aunt Anna arranged for Peter and MJ to meet in the first place. Yet for the past decade, My kept trying to hook Peter up with various women because she desperately wanted grandchildren before she died. It’s like having a different personality under a different writer or something.
- Okay, if Aunt May already “suspects” that Teresa is Peter’s sister and doesn’t say anything, then she definitely “suspects” Peter is Spider-Man. Either way, why does Peter still keep lying to his aunt at this point in his life?
- Really comic? The Chameleon can pass himself off as another person better than the Skrulls, Life Model Decoys, and other shapeshifters? And why wouldn’t S.H.I.E.L.D., prior to their dissolvement, not have countermeasures to see through his disguises? And don’t give me the “he’s always evolving” excuse, either.
- You know, at this point, Carlie Cooper is very much the Velma to MJ’s Daphne. All they need to do is get a van, a talking great dane, and some Scooby Snacks, and they’re pretty much good to go.
- Hmm…nice of the comic to introduce a new character only to kill them off in the same issue.
- Here’s a question: is that the same ring Peter used before? Maybe twice? Wouldn’t be much of a surprise the third time around, Pete.