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We can debate all the reasons why Marvel did it coming and going -- rebooting the character or making the comic better resemble the movie franchise come to mind immediately. Frankly, I'm not crazy about the move -- Aunt May has more lives than the average black cat! -- and Marvel probably expects this kind of reaction from oldtimers like me, but not kids and young adults who may be discovering Spidey for the first time.
My question is a simple one: Is the Spider-Man comic "franchise" better off with or without Mary Jane? Why?
Give me reasons to hope this isn't another desperate move by the "former" House of Ideas merely to grab attention...
Comments:
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Saturday 26 January
By Jason
I think Spidey/Peter is better off without MJ because it gives more plot flexibility such as possibly hooking up with Black Cat. Any thoughts?
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Wednesday 30 January
By Herbie
Killing the marriage isn't necessarily a bad storyline. You want Peter Parker the loser back again, living with his Aunt Mat, broke with no woman, no problem. Just do it right. This is another in a long list of badly executed storylines for Spidey ranking right under the Clone Saga. Make a deal with the Devil, offering the sanctity of his marriage in exchange. Puhlease.
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Saturday 02 February
By tess
well i think it would be cool if they broke up only for awhile (i'm talking a week here) just to see how that would all effect Spidey...
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Friday 15 February
By Graham L
"Brand New Day" is one of the most pitiful things I've ever seen in comics. When Stan Lee did this "oh dear it's the old Parker rotten luck again", it was organic, authentic, original. Now, it's a pale and pathetic imitation, like somebody trying to jump on a bandwagon thirty years after it ran out of gas. If DC did the same thing they'd have Clark Kent going "oh I don't feel very well" and Lois Lane saying "Gee, isn't it a bit surprising how Clark seems to disappear whenever Superman is around?" It's 2008, for God's sake. Straczynski had his own voice, a real talent, and fans like me were buying Spider-Man because it was well-written and well-drawn - not because it needed a stupid mindless overhaul. As for having had the courage to reveal his identity - and then being such absolute spineless cowards about sweeping that under the carpet, instead of coming up with something clever and creative (like Daredevil after the outing of Matt Murdock) - it's just unforgiveably pathetic. Yes, Marvel have done great things in recent years - Civil War was incomparable, a different planet from this Mary Jane farce - but if Marvel didn't have the Fantastic Four and Brian Michael Bendis, their entire line would be history as far as I'm concerned. I've cancelled Marvel titles left right and centre - our only weapon against such an organisation is our wallets.
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Friday 03 April
By Eric Kopicki
I agree...
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Friday 03 April
By Melwyn Furtado
Spidy any way better with or without Jane....
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Thursday 10 December
By Chris Kool
For one thing: I am against Mary Jane Watson-Parker and Peter Parker making a deal with Satan; it makes no sense since they are good, trustworthy characters and Mephisto is an untrustworthy entity. 2: Marriage should be better than being alone because it's the Official proof and License for Friendship, Love, Commitment, Responsibility, Strength, Encouragement, Hope, Faith, and Compassion. I don't understand why anyone would dislike any of this; that doesn't make any sense. Peter Parker, an average, but more than plain looking guy getting the Most Beautiful Red-head Woman on Earth: Mary Jane Watson is a dream come true unlike Bruce Wayne. Bruce can get all of these hot girls with his handsome looks, wealth, and prestige with finesse, BUT can't get Mary Jane like Peter can. Plus, Lana Lang, compared to Lois Lane (Example: Kristin Kreuk and Erica Durance from Superman TV Show: Smallville), has a true chemistry with Clark Kent and the fact that many times opposites don't attract, where as Lana and Clark are perfect for each other. Clark just settles for Lois Lane, when he can't get the hot red head Lana in the comics; Peter Parker can get the hot red-head girl. And I will never read Spider-Man: "One More Day" and "Brand New Day". The art and some of the stories in BND may be good, BUT I don't trust Joe Quesada and his so-called "Spidey Braintrust" team who stand with him, so I call them Unworthy and Dishonorable to handle any Spidey comicbooks; I can't wait until they all leave and a new Editor-in-Chief and writers take over to put back in place who Spidey and MJ really are with the original innocent morally ethical values placed in those "life-like" characters created by the geniuses: Stan "The Man" Lee and "Jazzy" John Romita in the true 1970's. Spidey is cooler than Batman and Superman, plus he's super-human compared to Bruce Wayne and Bruce Lee. Batman may be what a true hero is through and through, but Pete never gives up on responsibility with his powers, plus in reality spider-like abilities would really be outstanding and true fun compared to limited "un-super" human abilities. So, in essence Spidey beats Batman and is interesting compared to Superman. He also has the best suits with true original flawless designs that look stylish and emphasizes the true Child in the super-hero.
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Saturday 30 January
By Chris K.
The demonic pact with Mephisto/Satan is immorally and unethically wrong period and Mary Jane Watson/Peter Parker are really not irresponsible and demented. They have always been known as good, honest, responsible, heroes in their own way by Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr. I've just read The Amazing Spider-Man: "Dark Reign- The List"; it is one of the coolest Spidey comics ever! Great story, good script, and poster art with very rich colors. I don't like the fact that the writer for that story, Dan Slott, is the one who pitched the "One More Day" story arc to Joe Quesada and Joe loved the bad decision which makes no sense. So, because those guy's are now untrustworthy and unworthy to helm the stories of the most popular, coolest, noble super-hero: Spider-Man, I will never read One More Day and Brand New Day period. Now, Spider-Man: "New Ways To Die", "Dark Reign", and "Dark Reign: The List" don't completely have to do with "Brand New Day"; they are completely different stories altogether. Mary Jane Watson-Parker and Peter Parker definitely belong together and the Brand New Day stories along with those others that I have just mentioned, except for One More Day, could have a married Spider-Man with those same stories. It's not that difficult to make that happen- I mean come on!... Pete needs Mary Jane's love to comfort him whenever he isn't Spidey, her friendship to give him inner strength, and their relationship to help build faith in himself. Marriage is special and (not to sound like a pansy) but precious as well. Plus, for Pete to be lonely without the close friendship/relationship with the most beautiful red-head woman with the loveliest female name in the world, no sex, no money, having to live with his Aunt May who I really do admire (but who's been around for centuries) is a bunch of lowly crap.
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Thursday 03 January
By The Comics Creator
I think that having Mary Jane along with Peter limits the plot possibilities, considering that she's not superhuman. Time was when attention to Spiderman would spike each time he's being linked to someone. Marvel would exhaust the plot possibilities with each relationship, giving Spidey's stories different twists each time.
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Thursday 03 January
By JIFF
Yo nailed it.
The Former House of Ideas.
Quesada is a big jerk with no respect for the character, ever since Amazing #400 things have been poorly handled.
They already have Ultimate Spiderman.
Why did they need to star anew.
USM is cool
no need to dumb down the core series
Continuity is another issue
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