Web of Love: “Making Up”

Greetings Crawlspacers and welcome to  “Web of Love”.  As most of you know, most of us here at the crawlspace love and think that Peter and Mary Jane should always be together.  Sometimes it’s a bit difficult when reading recent issues of Spider-Man knowing that the god awful story One More Day is still in canon.  Will Marvel see the error of their ways and fix this?  Only time will tell.  In the meantime I hope that this featured article shows you some prime examples (and maybe some stuff you never heard of) on why Peter and Mary Jane are perfect for each other.  How much rich chemistry there is between the two that rides from stories and how relate-able it can be

This feature comes from the writing skills of J.M. DeMatteis and illustraded by Crawlspace’s “Good Pal” Sal Buscema.  The story entitled “Death of Vermin” focuses on Doctor Kafka helping Edward Whelan who is having troubles turning into the Vermin.  The narration of the book is Doctor Kafka writing a letter to her mother and while most of the story focuses on Vermin and Kafka, the side story is about Peter and Mary Jane.  I chose this particular story as another example of how the spider-marriage works.  Not only do you get one story, but you get two dynamic stories all for $1.25.  It, once again, focuses on how both Peter and Mary Jane are relatable to reality.  Every married couple has it’s ups and down and this story examples on how our favorite power couple get through it.

Back in Spectacular Spider-Man #191 Mary Jane came home after a long night at the studio.  She’s just exhausted and wants to go to bed.  Only one thing she wants is a warm bed and to be snuggled up to her husband.  The lights are out so when she opens the shade for some moonlight to see she finds Peter hanging off the ceiling like a bat sound asleep, Mary Jane screams.  Peter wakes up instantly completely aware of surroundings and assures his wife that he’s fine and okay.  After everything that they have gone through with The Vulture and everything with Harry Osborn both of them are a little jumpy.  Mary Jane thought Peter was dead.  Peter was just a little restless and since watching TV wasn’t working he was pacing the ceiling and dozed off.  Mary Jane was scared.  It was late and she thought the worst for her husband.  She honestly and truly loves him and Sal does a good job putting that emotion of fear of loss in her face.

Due to the lateness of the hour, the exhaustion combined with what they went through the last past issues, mixed with a bit of restlessness some words were said that neither of them truly meant.  Every couple has a disagreement or and an argument and that what makes these two very real to the reader.  Married to a superhero or supermodel/actress isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.  You also need to remember that these two have a rich history and they didn’t start off like this.  Peter was just an average teen, bullied and outcasted who one day got bit by a radioactive spider.  Mary Jane was a teenage girl that came from an abusive home and followed her path to have her names among the stars.  That’s what a lot of people seem to forget.  They were portrayed as REAL people with REAL problems.  Peter became a superhero.  Mary Jane became a model/actress.  They never asked for it.  Destiny has a funny way of handing things to you.  What Peter and Mary Jane just went through right now is perfectly natural and human thing to go through.

We fast forward to Spect #193 J.M. DeMatteis does a fantastic job explaining how Mary Jane is feeling after the fight and Sal doesn’t disappoint either.  I love how DeMatteis dives into Mary Jane’s past and show how much fear she has of becoming her mother and how she quickly denies that thought expressing the love that both her and Peter share is too strong.  There is so much respect for both of these characters and how they are portrayed.  Peter doesn’t even show up, Spider-Man business, but he definitely makes time for his wife and does the right thing.  Even if it’s just a swing by.

We now arrive to Spectacular Spider-Man #194.  J.M. DeMatteis once again writes on how this scene should be played out.  They had their argument and had space to vent and be by themselves.  Of course Peter is out being Spider-Man, but to him that can be very therapeutic.  Mary Jane is home and hears a sound coming from the other room and is in shock when she witness..

Well done Peter.  A room full of flowers by only making one sound.  Very stealthy Spider-Man like.  I love how Peter/Spidey is back to his normal self and jokes “Is it safe to come in?”  All the powers in the world won’t save you if you are in the “dog house”.  Peter knows if you triffle with Mary Jane, you better be ready to apologize quickly.  MJ does give him the one-two as a response but quickly forgives her husband.  All she wants is him to swing on down into her arms, but Peter has a better idea.  THIS is how it should always be portrayed.  It’s real and realate-able and J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema are spot on in the following panels.

The dialogue between these two is very well written and illustrated.  J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema have great respect for these characters.  Their characterization is driven by their talent.  I also love how Sal Buscema doesn’t draw Mary Jane “too sexy”.  MJ is very attractive but it’s just nice to see she can be attractive as a character, not what she wears.   It’s very real on how it’s portrayed and also relate-able  Which is what Spider-Man is all about, besides doing what’s right and responsibility.

Spectacular Spider-Man #191-194 (The Peter/Mary Jane aspect) is beautifully written and drawn and definitely shows that a spider-marriage is possible.  Especially if it concerns Peter and Mary Jane Parker.  Handles such deep depth on the characters and their relationship to each other.  Definitely a prime example on how things should be between these two.