Mary Jane Watson-Parker
Attributes
| Eyes: | Green |
| Features: | Visually Attractive |
| Hair: | Red |
| Height: | 5'8" |
| Weight: | 120 lbs |
Powers
| Abilities: | Professional super-model, actress |
| Equipment: | *Cough* |
| Powers: | Can be irresistable to males |
| Strength Level: | Normal human |
| Weapons: | Handy with a vase, knife, baseball bat, or exposed wiring if required |
Summary
| Citizenship: | U.S. |
| Created By: | |
| Current Occupation: | Model, actress |
| Education: | College Graduate |
| Former Aliases: | Red Sonja (briefly) |
| Former Bases: | Manhattan |
| Former Occupation: | waitress, Go-Go dancer |
| Known Allies: | Spider-Man, the Black Cat |
| Known Confidants: | Spider-Man, Aunt May Parker |
| Known Relatives: | Peter Parker (husband), Anna May Watson (Aunt), Philip (father), Madeline (mother,deceased), Gayle Watson-Byrnes (sister), Timothy Byrnes (ex-brother-in-law), Kevin and Tommy Byrnes (nephews), Judge Spenser Watson (uncle), Frank Brown (mother's cousin), Kristy (cousin), Lou and Lorraine Watson (uncle and aunt, parents of Kristy) |
| Legal Status: | No criminal record |
| Major Enemies: | Jonathan Caesar, the Stalker |
| Marital Status: | Married to Spider-Man |
| Place of Birth: | Montoursville, Pennsylvania |
| Real Name: | (Born Mary Jane Watson) |
| Usual Bases: | Forest Hills |
Background
Mary Jane was born in Pennsylvania to an unstable home. Philip Watson was abusive, and her mother fled with her and her sister. They moved from home to home of various relatives. Her favorite relative was her Aunt Anna Watson in New York City. When her mother passed away, and her sister left raising two boys on her own, MJ abandoned her sister in Pittsburgh, and moved to New York with her aunt. In the graphic novel Parallel Lives and in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #16, it was revealed that Mary Jane knew of Peter Parker's alter- ego since the day Uncle Ben died. She witnessed Spider-Man crawling out of his window as he pursued the burglar who had murdered his uncle. She didn't meet Peter face-to-face until their aunts finally arranged a successful date (that Peter had been dodging).
”Captured by J. Jonah Jameson!”
While visiting May Parker, Mary Janet met Liz Allan and Betty Brant. Both girls had come looking for Peter but were stunned to find yet another woman in his life. They were especially amazed at her looks and they left. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #25)
”Birth of a Super Hero!”
Peter finally meets Mary Jane. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #42) As Peter, MJ, May and Anna sit down to dinner, Peter can’t take his eyes off of her. May asked him to pass the butter and he hardly heard her. MJ was surprised that a guy with hair so short could be good looking. She then took him into the living room and turned on the TV, which was showing a live band. She started to dance, telling him it was their song. The show was stopped suddenly by a news report saying that the Rhino has escaped from prison. Peter didn’t know how to leave the house without making anyone suspicious but luckily MJ wanted to go see the commotion. They got on Peter’s bike and headed to the East Side, and he told her he was going to get pictures. After the fight was over, she told him she hadn’t seen him taking pictures and he said he’d been looking out of a building’s window. He took her home and they agreed to go out the next day. He then checked on his aunt, who wasn’t feeling well and he saw she was out of her medicine. He called MJ and canceled their date. She didn’t seem bothered, which made him nervous. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #43)
”Where Crawls the Lizard”
Peter was eating at the Silver Spoon with Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn and Flash Thompson when MJ showed up. Peter had missed class that day (he had been fighting the Lizard) and Gwen offered to tutor him. Mary Jane instead took him by the arm and took him a music place. Flash flirted with her from the moment he saw her but she was only there for Peter. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1). #44)
”Spidey Smashes Out!”
Anna Watson and MJ went to May’s house with some veggie soup to check on Peter while his aunt was on vacation. MJ said he was slightly square but otherwise he turned her on. Anna was glad they hit it off. At May’s place no one was home, which surprised Anna. She didn’t see him as the kind to go out. MJ wasn’t surprised, as anyone that breathes goes out at night.
After Peter walked home after fighting the Lizard, Harry and MJ pulled up in his convertible and called out to him. He didn’t hear, too lost in his moping. Harry offered him a ride and Peter turned him down. Then he complained that Mary Jane didn’t care about their second date and just found someone else. He told himself that she’s beautiful but just as shallow. He didn’t like listening to her constant chatter but then wondered if his bad mood was his own fault. (Amazing Spider-Man #45)
”Spider-Man No More!”
Peter has spent so much time as Spider-Man that he’d been neglecting his civilian life. His grades plummeted, he’d hardly seen his aunt, hadn’t gone to Gwen’s party and hadn’t “had time to date that scatter brained Mary Jane these days! Or is she really so scatter brained? I’ve never been able to take the time to find out for sure!” Later, he showed up at his aunt’s place and found MJ. She acted shocked that he hadn’t noticed her right away and said it was all over for her. Then she had to leave for a rehearsal of some kind and Peter wished her luck. She said that Anna had sewn her some new clothes so she didn’t need luck. (Amazing Spider-Man #50)
“Doc Ock Wins!”
Mary Jane came to check on the Parkers after Doctor Octopus smashed a hole in May’s home during a fight with Spider-Man. Peter wasn’t happy to see her and let her know it. She told him to calm down and show her the destroyed wall. Her reaction wasn’t great: “Like, wow! Just dig that craaazy keyhole, Tiger! I’ve heard of air conditioning but this is ridiculous!” That’s when Gwen showed up and MJ started complaining. Gwen asked if she could help and Mary Jane told her to leave. Peter asked her if she was ever serious and Gwen said she was more serious than he knew. (Amazing Spider-Man #55)
”The Brand of the Brainwasher!”
A club called The Gloom Room a Go Go was having it’s opening night and Mary Jane was one of the main attraction dancers. After her set, she was instructed to take pictures of important members of NYC government and only those customers. She took a photo of a city counsel man and then Captain George Stacy. Both men felt sick afterwards and went out to get some air. Instead, they felt compelled to enter a room in the club. Gwen wondered where her father had gone and Peter was also suspicious. He changed to Spider-Man and was immediately shot at by a goon as he climbed into a window from the outside.
(Amazing Spider-Man (vol.1) #59)
“Make Way for...Medusa!”
Gwen was still angry at Peter for seemingly attacking her father while he was under the Kingpin’s control. As soon as Mary Jane heard the news, she congratulated him on coming to his senses. How could anyone want someone else when Mary Jane was available? Peter told her that he wasn’t in the mood and walked away. She was amazed and realized he actually missed Gwen.(Amazing Spider-Man #62)
”The Vulture’s Prey”
MJ visited May at her home, asking if she had seen Peter. May became alarmed, as she hadn’t seen her nephew in days. (Amazing Spider-Man #64)
”The Goblin Lives!”
Norman Osborn’s memory of being the Goblin has returned yet again and he sets a trap for Peter and all of his friends. He invited them all to dinner at his home, taunting Peter during dinner. He asked where Peter disappears to for days at a time, and mentioned that everyone has secrets. Peter took a moment to web up some of his photograph film and tossed it into a fire in the fireplace. The substance created heavy smoke, causing everyone to evacuate. Everyone except Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, of course. (When Harry wondered where his dad and Peter disappeared to, MJ suggested they found a better party.) During the fight, Spidey exposed Goblin to the gas of one of his own bombs, which somehow erased his memory again. Peter took him to a hospital where the others eventually showed up. They assumed Norman had suffered another nervous breakdown and left Harry with his father. Peter, Gwen and Mary Jane went to the Silver Spoon, where MJ said he’s a lucky guy to be out with two ladies. Meanwhile, Peter is silently worried about when he’ll next see the Green Goblin. (Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine #2)
”The Schemer”
MJ, Harry, Peter and Gwen were at the airport as Flash was on his way back to Vietnam. Peter shook his hand, Gwen gave him a pat on the cheek. Mary Jane one upped her by putting her arms around Flash and giving him a kiss. Gwen, not to be outdone, took off his hat, handed it to MJ and gave him a long kiss. Harry said it looked like MJ enjoyed the kiss and she said she absolutely did. (Amazing Spider-Man #83)
”...And Now, The Goblin!”
Mary Jane was hired in an off Broadway play and Peter, Harry, and Randy Robertson were invited by Norman Osborn. Osborn owned the building, claiming that if the play were any more “off Broadway” it would be in New Jersey. Norman was still amnesiac after his last fight with Spider-Man and his better nature was dominant. MJ gave Peter a hug that was much too warm for Harry’s liking. Norman, upon meeting MJ, wished he were younger. During the play, Norman became distracted by a door inside the building, not sure why it seemed important. Peter’s spider sense gently warned him of danger. When he came back later as Spider-Man, he found that Norman had found a Green Goblin hideout. (Amazing Spider-Man #96)
“In the Grip of the Goblin!”
At the apartment, Harry was still angry about MJ showing so much attention to Peter. Peter swore there was nothing going on between them. Harry ignored him and went to the bathroom to get some pills. The next day, Harry and Peter ran into Mary Jane who ignored Harry and gushed all over Peter. Harry walked away and Peter chewed her out for the way she acted in front of him. After taking some drugs and getting high, Harry told MJ he forgave her. She told him that she was no one’s girl, even if Harry were good for some laughs. (Amazing Spider-Man #97)
”The Goblin’s Last Stand!”
Mary Jane waited in Peter and Harry’s apartment for hours after hearing about Gwen’s murder by the Green Goblin. When Peter finally came home, she tried to tell him that she was broken up over Gwen’s death and he didn’t buy it. He told her that she wouldn’t care if her own mother died so why should she care about people like Gwen and himself. He told her to leave because he knew she hated a boring time. She hesitated for a moment and then silently closed the door and stayed with him. (Amazing Spider-Man #122)
“....Just a Man Called Cage!”
Mary Jane tried to be there for Peter by taking him to a concert at Empire State University. She got them some drinks and told him he needed to cheer up. The concert was interrupted by Nic Cage, who had been hired by J. Jonah Jameson to avenge the deaths of Gwen and Norman. (Amazing Spider-Man #123)
”The Dark Wings of Death”
She got into trouble all on her own by witnessing the murder of a woman in her apartment building by Dr. Clifton Shallot, the third Vulture. Shallot wanted to kill Christine Murrow, his lab assistant, who knew of his bio mutation experiments. He mistook her roommate, Gloria, for Christine. He attacked Mary Jane at ESU but she was saved by Spider-Man. Vulture attacked MJ again as she was on her way to confess to the police what she had witnessed. Spidey chased him away again and found out who he was after learning which chemicals he had stolen. He was found with Christine, who had agreed to work with him if he’d let her live. She had also tricked Vulture into killing her roommate to save herself. (Amazing Spider-Man #127)
”Danger is a Man Named...Tarantula!”
Soon after Liz Allan returned to New York and to Peter’s group of friends, the gang went on a river cruise. The ship was robbed and held hostage by Tarantula (Rodriguez). Spider-Man was drugged by Tarantula’s shoe blade and the ship was saved by the Punisher. (Amazing Spider-Man #134)
”Dead Man’s Bluff”
Peter had moved into a new apartment and was taking a phone call from his aunt when MJ showed up. Peter continued with the phone call but noticed a mist gathering behind Mary Jane. The Kingpin was then looming over her and Peter yelled at her to move. He threw the phone at the image, which passed through it and left a hole in the wall. He immediately knew that Mysterio (Daniel Berkhart) was behind it. Peter’s landlord, Mrs. Muggins, and his new neighbor, Glory Grant, came to see what was happening. Mrs. Muggins told Peter she’d be watching him while MJ and Glory introduced themselves.
He and Mary Jane traveled to the Bugle, where Robbie pulled Peter aside to talk about Mysterio. MJ chatted with Betty, who reminded MJ of a conversation they’d had about she not wanting to get serious about Peter. Mary Jane said that may have changed. As they left via elevator, Peter said Betty used to be his first love and he had hated Ned for a while. Still, he knew that loves can change. As the door opened, he saw a familiar looking woman in the lobby. He immediately recognized her as Gwen but didn’t realize he was looking at the Gwen Stacy clone. She had crossed the street by the time Peter made it out of the lobby and the heavy traffic kept him from following her. MJ came to see if he was alright and he said he needed to be alone and would call her later. He walked away. (Amazing Spider-Man #142)
”...And the Wind Cries: Cyclone!”
After the situation with Mysterio, JJJ got a telegram from Paris telling him to come immediately with one million dollars. Robbie Robertson was suspicious and asked Peter to come along, since they’ve both known Jonah for so long. MJ accompanied them to the airport, he asked her why she called him “Tiger.” She replied it was because he wasn’t. He kissed her, one that surprised both of them. Afterwards, all she could say was “wow.” Robbie called Peter to board the plane, smirking as he saw the kiss. Peter promised he’d be back and she promised to be waiting. After boarding the plane, MJ was still watching and whispered “far freakin’ out.” (Amazing Spider-Man #143)
”Twice Stings the Tarantula!”
As Spider-Man took pictures of ESU vice Chancellor Edward Lansky (Lightmaster) speak about the need for more money for the education system, Lansky was attacked by the Tarantula. As Spidey went into action he saw that Flash and Mary Jane were in the crowd of assembled students. Flash took her to safety and then went to save Lansky from his kidnappers. He was immediately knocked out by one of Tarantula’s henchmen. Spider-Man didn’t do any better and Tarantula got away. In frustration, he punched a brick wall and busted his hand.
At his apartment building, Glory saw his hand and bandaged it. They were about to leave to help her find a job when MJ showed up at Peter’s door. Peter was going to help Glory find a job and Mary Jane came with. He asked if she was ready to bury the hatchet and she didn’t know what he was talking about. He skeptically noted that’s why she was dating Flash. As they arrived at the civil service administration, Peter saw the same limousine outside that had been used to kidnap Lansky. He told them he had to call the hospital to check on May and Glory told him to go call while MJ gave him an annoyed look. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #1)
”Spider-Kill!”
Mary Jane and Flash arrived at Peter’s apartment and he was trying to clean his civilian clothes in a pot of hot water on his stove. She knocked on his door, telling him that the love of his life had arrived and to not ask which one. He threw a bedsheet around himself to cover his costume and she asked if he was sleeping and cooking at the same time. There was smoke coming from his kitchen. She took his burning clothes out of his pot with a broomstick and asked if he had a laundry business. MJ and Flash chatted with him for an hour as he tried to keep his costume concealed. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #5)
“Cry Mayhem! Cry Morbius!”
May Parker was going to go to a Grey Panthers rally and MJ was painting protest signs for her. Mary Jane had stopped by to say hello before going to a filming location. She had a big part in a small film. After MJ left, Anna wished her niece were more settled. She was either dancing, acting or modeling. She really wanted her to settle down with Peter. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #7)
“Still Crazy After All These Years!”
Peter called MJ to talk about her rejection of his marriage proposal. She repeated that she wasn’t ready to be married but she still loved him. She just needed some time. He didn’t mean to be clingy but was anxious after May was in the hospital. She told him to not worry about being clingy, she would let him know if it got crushing. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #21)
“Guess Who’s Buried in Grant’s Tomb!”
Mary Jane tried to call Peter to go out to a disco, but he didn’t answer. A guy named Marty asked who she was calling and she told him just a friend. Then they went dancing, even though she thought he was a square. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #23)
Marvel Team Up 52
Amazing Spider-Man 161 & 162 Peter ditches MJ to take photos and she starts dating Flash
Amazing Spider-Man 165
”The Return of the Green Goblin”
After attending a rally at city hall regarding the treatment of the elderly, May Parker had a heart attack and was rushed to a hospital. Surgery was needed but consent forms needed to be signed by Peter. Unfortunately he was fighting the Green Goblin (Dr. Barton Hamilton) and was prevented from arriving at the hospital. Mary Jane was at May’s bedside, wondering where Peter was as the Goblin flew past the window with a captured Spider-Man. (Amazing Spider-Man #176) Spider-Man managed to escape from the Goblin’s net when Silvermane’s thugs fired a bazooka at the pair, causing Goblin to drop Spider-Man and flee on his damaged glider. Peter rushed to the hospital and signed the consent paperwork and May’s surgery was a success. Jameson contacted Peter and told him to get to the Radio City Music Hall to cover a fight between Green Goblin and Silvermane. Peter told MJ he’d be back before May woke up and she said “You’d better be!” (Amazing Spider-Man #177)
”The Rocket Racer’s Back in Town!”
Peter eventually proposed to Mary Jane in Amazing Spider-Man #182; however MJ declined, saying that she wasn't the sort of girl who could be happy with just one man.
”...And Where the Big Wheel Stops, Nobody Knows!”
Shortly after, Mary Jane took a leave of absence from the Spider-Man comics, during which time Peter dated several different women (primarily Deborah Whitman, and The Black Cat).
”Spider-Man Night Fever”
The whole group (Harry, Peter, Flash, Sha Shan, Holly, Betty Brant, and Liz) went to see a disco group called “The Mercy Killers.” Mary Jane saw him there with everyone else and was annoyed that he hadn’t invited her despite her calling him. The musical group was led by the Hypno-Hustler, who hypnotized the crowd and robbed them. Spidey defeated him. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #24)
“Carrion”
MJ felt bad for being rude to Peter at the disco and went to his apartment. She ran into Betty and was surprised to see her. They were both there to see Peter and they both had keys to his door. As they walked to his place, MJ asked if they had gotten close and Betty stammered over her answer. MJ said that she seemed unsure and maybe her imagination was overreacting to a relationship with Peter. Mary Jane then mentioned that Peter had proposed to her. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #26)
Neither of them got inside Peter's apartment (which was good since Carrion was waiting inside) but talked about him instead. MJ apologized for telling Betty that Peter had proposed, even though he had. She just wasn't ready for marriage yet. They agreed that the two of them could date Peter and still be friends, even though Betty was married to Ned at the time. (It was the 70s. Things were different.) MJ and Betty went their separate ways. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #27)
Peter's friends all gathered at his apartment after his landlady, Mrs. Muggins, found that it had been burglarized. She was in a near panic, worried about his safety, as she hadn't seen him. A cryptic message, "The dead walk, Parker!," was left burned into the wall. Peter returned shortly after, blinded after a fight with Daredevil and the Masked Marauder, and was tackled by a relieved Mary Jane. He told them he'd had an accident in a chemistry lab and spent the past two days in the college infirmary. (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #28)
Mary Jane returned in Amazing Spider-Man #243, after staying with her family in Florida. She and Peter grew very close at this time, as both were having some problems in their lives.
”All My Pasts Remembered”
After another round of the usual Peter Parker lies following a battle with the Puma, Mary Jane finally told Peter that she knew that he is Spider-Man. Since she knew his greatest secret, Mary Jane decided to open up to Peter and share her secrets. She told her life story to him - growing up in a dysfunctional family wearing emotional masks of the happy-go-lucky party girl to keep herself sane. Peter and Mary Jane denied to themselves and each other that they were in fact, once again, emotionally entangled. In this period of shared honesty, they realized how close they had become. (Amazing Spider-Man #259)
”The Return of the Hobgoblin”
Mary Jane and Liz Osborn (who was very pregnant) were leaving Osborn Industries when a car pulled up and they were shoved inside. These were on the orders of the Rose. Harry watched from his office, swearing to make the Rose and Hobgoblin pay. (Amazing Spider-Man #260) Held captive in a storage room, Hobgoblin warned the women to be cooperative, or else he’d “spare the world of the birth of another mad Osborn.” In a rage, MJ jumped at him and was quickly shoved into a wall. Hobgoblin wanted Harry to hand over Norman’s private journals, detailing his hideouts and things he’d learned as the Green Goblin. Harry supplied one last journal but it didn’t contain anything that Hobgoblin didn’t already know. Harry had been shoved into the same room as Liz and Mary Jane and tried to shoot his way out of the warehouse with a gun he’d brought with him. Spider-Man had arrived at that point and the fight between he and Hobgoblin had ignited a large propane tank. The warehouse went up in flames, and Mary Jane sheltered Liz from the flames. MJ called Spider-Man to help as Liz went into labor. He left Hobgoblin behind, who escaped. Mary Jane, Liz and Harry were taken to a hospital. (Amazing Spider-Man #261) Liz later gave birth to a healthy boy, Norman Osborn Jr. (Amazing Spider-Man #263)
Peter proposed to her for a second time in Amazing Spider-Man #290. The wedding followed shortly afterward in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 and the honeymoon in Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #7.
”Fun ‘N Games”
Mary Jane had prepared dinner for Peter but he came home late after dealing with a drug bust and stopping at the Bugle. He assumed she wouldn’t mind. She threw the chicken away, frustrated with him. When he showed up she was relieved but then got angry and assumed he was being Spider-Man to avoid her. He showed her the photos he got of the drug bust and she left in a huff, angry that he was late over photos. Peter realized that knowing his secret bothered her more than he knew.
Later, MJ was at the Top of the Park Restaurant with May and Anna when they were attacked by Alistaire Smythe and his spider slayer. He had followed a tracking device that he believed he had given to the aunt of Spider-Man. He was right of course but he took the wrong elderly woman. MJ grabbed onto the metal tentacle that grabbed Anna. Smythe warned the crowd that he had Spider-Man’s aunt and to let the media know. The robot took both Anna and Mary Jane and flew away. Anna asked who MJ who she thought she was, Spider-Man? Smythe misunderstood and thought she was, in fact, the wall crawler. He thought it must be a brilliant disguise but wondered why she hadn’t webbed him or crushed the tentacle with her strength. He used another tentacle to grab her. Amazing Spider-Man annual 19
”Kraven’s Last Hunt”
Mary Jane was a newlywed and hadn’t even moved out of her apartment and into their shared place when Peter disappeared. She reassured herself of his safety but still feared that he could be face down in the river, laying in an alley or shot, stabbed or his head crushed. As she tried to calm herself, she saw a rat scurrying across her floor. She trapped it and crushed it with a boot, then ran off in disgust. Later, she went out in the rain looking for her husband, knowing that it was pointless. While she was out, she was cat called by two guys. She told them what they could do with themselves and they began to follow her. They soon had her shoved against a wall. She was sure that she was dead, until a figure in black and white showed up. The comfort didn’t last long, as “Spider-Man” silently beat the men senseless. She managed to tell the figure to stop beating them and after looking at her briefly, he wordlessly jumped away. She immediately knew that it wasn’t Peter. (Amazing Spider-Man #293)
Weeks passed without Peter and MJ went to see Joe Robertson, editor of the Daily Bugle. It was one in the morning and she was trembling. She needed someone to talk to, someone with intelligence and integrity. Joe had known Peter for years and she hoped he might have figured out Peter’s double life. He would be someone to confide in but she stopped herself. She couldn’t risk it. She apologized to Joe and left. (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #131)
Peter returned home after being buried alive for two weeks by Sergei Kravinoff. He couldn’t imagine the fear she must have felt and hoped she didn’t fear that her new husband had lost his mind. He came home silently, barely able to speak. He couldn’t spend much time with his wife, he needed to go back out there. Kraven had killed people while wearing a Spider-Man costume. She protested that they had both been through a traumatic experience but he was going to leave no matter what. (Web of Spider-Man #32)
When Spider-Man returned home the next day, he had defeated Vermin and Kraven had taken his own life. Mary Jane was looking at a photo album by herself and threw herself into Peter’s arms when he arrived. (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #132)
”Return to Sender” Gwen Stacy clone (Spectacular Spider-Man Annual vol1 #8)
”Venom”
Peter came home one night, finding his wife terrified and huddled on the floor. She saw his black costume and begged him to stay away. She only trusted him after he took his mask off, letting her run to him and babble about a inhuman creature that had waited for her in their apartment. He hadn’t hurt her but the mouth and teeth that came from it’s face sent her into a primal dread. This was her first encounter with Eddie Brock, Venom. Peter decided that they would stay in a hotel. After coming home from battling Venom, MJ demanded that he get rid of the black costume. It would always remind her of the monster that horrified her. Peter destroyed the costume and went back to the old red and blue. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #300)
”When Strikes the Slasher!”
Soon after they got married, Mary Jane was starting a new career as a model. A serial killer had been targeting fashion models, worrying Elyse Nelson, another model MJ was working with. Mary Jane reassured her that there were plenty of guards. Looking in the mirror, Elyse says she is gaining weight and MJ didn’t know what she was talking about. Peter soon came to pick MJ up and on the way home she told him about the Fashion Expo that she and Elyse would be joining. Peter said he couldn’t make it, which disappointed her. He needed money from a photo assignment to pay his taxes. She told him she already paid for it. Peter felt guilty but said he could go to the expo and watch for the slasher. She told him to take the assignment because she didn’t want him to babysit her.
Meanwhile a fan of Elyse, Harvey Finklestein, came up with a plan to get her attention. He hired an actor named Leslie to be the Slasher and as he attacked Elyse, Harvey would rescue her. The plan failed and Elyse and MJ escaped. They ran to a park while Spider-Man chased Harvey and Leslie to an amusement park. After they were caught he went after the models and saw Elyse coming at Mary Jane with a straight razor. He webbed her to the ground and the detective explained that she had been the main suspect due to her mental illness. She had been killing women that she thought were better looking than her. (Web of Spider-Man (vol. 1) #37)
”Jonathan Caesar”
They moved into the Bedford Towers, a luxury apartment on the upper West Side. But their happiness was short lived when Mary Jane was kidnapped by Jonathan Caesar, her landlord and a wealthy admirer. Following her escape and his being sent to jail, Caesar still managed to use his influence to ensure that she was evicted and forced out of the modeling business. MJ managed to find alternate work in the day-time drama "Secret Hospital". Still, she earned more than Peter did with his photography. (Amazing Spider-Man #304)
”First Blood”
While she and Peter took a ride in a horse drawn carriage, they were attacked by a group of cyborgs that wanted him to contact Spider-Man. One of them carried him off and delivered him to his boss, Silvermane. (Web of Spider-Man #79) Not sure what to do, Mary Jane contacted Black Cat, who helped Spider-Man defeat Silvermane. (Web of Spider-Man #80)
Cousin Kristy Watson
As Mary Jane was rushing to a limousine to get to a modeling job, she saw her thirteen year old cousin Kristy outside. Her parents had sent her to MJ without letting her know. (Spectacular Spider-Man #145)
MJ and Peter took Kristy to stay with May, as they were concerned that she would discover Peter’s secret. Nathan Lubensky commented that Kristy was too thin and needed to eat. (Web of Spider-Man (vol. 1) #47)
She was taken to the hospital after having a heart attack. (Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #153)
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Nathan told Peter that she was in the hospital. After Peter woke after being passed out for two days due to a virus, he was told by MJ that Kristy was in the hospital. They arrived at the hospital and he was amazed at how thin she was and many bruises. Kristy’s parents were in Europe so the doctor told Peter and Mary Jane that she’d had a heart attack. After they left the hospital, Peter asked his wife how she was doing and she blew up. She was tired of everyone’s problems coming before her own. Her modeling career was on hold, her finances were tied up in the bank and they were living in May’s home. She stormed away and Peter realized he hadn’t been very supportive. (Web of Spider-Man (vol. 1) #54)
Peter went looking for a new apartment in Hell’s Kitchen but gave up after seeing it was a dump. He went home to his wife and tried to cheer her with romance, since it was the most privacy they’ve had since Kristy was gone. That reminded her that her niece was sick. (Web of Spider-Man (vol. 1) #58)
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Web 69
Spectacular 173
Amazing 313
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After Mary Jane seemed to die in a plane crash over the Atlantic, Peter wasn’t accepting the situation. Many people showed up for an intervention, to help him face reality. Kristy was one of them. (Peter Parker: Spider-Man (volume 2) #19)
”Eyes of the Demon” Web of Spider-Man 48
”The Carrion Cure”
She was watching TV as a news report showed footage of Carrion (Malcolm McBride) and Hobgoblin (Jason Macendale) drag Spider-Man into the sewers. She headed to the McBride house, where the fight started but she was stopped by Nick Katzenberg. He had snapped pictures of MJ and Spider-Man together but without the mask. He planned to blackmail them, or just settle for a night with her. She punched him and knocked him out. (Katzenberg later died of lung cancer after years of smoking. MJ and Peter saw him in the hospital and he immediately told her to shake it over to his bed and give him a kiss. He died sometime later.) (Amazing Spider-Man #385)
She changed her mind and went to a fancy restaurant where Thomas Fireheart was eating. She threatened to tell everyone his secret identity as the Puma to everyone in the restaurant if he didn’t look for Peter. Fireheart had owned Spider-Man a debt. He refused, saying the debt had been repaid. She stormed out of the restaurant, calling him a hypocrite. She went to the McBride home and talked to Malcolm’s mother, telling her they both have loved ones in danger. Spidey and the two criminals emerged from the sewer, but Spider-Man was disoriented. She called him to snap out of, which drew the attention of Carrion. Spider-Man defended them, giving Hobgoblin a chance to attack. Carrion protected his mother, pushing him back into the sewer. One of Hobgoblin’s bombs ignited the gasline, causing an explosion. Neither Hobgoblin or Carrion were found. (Spectacular Spider-Man #163)
”Jason Jerome”
Spectacular Spider-Man 168
”Dedication (Or J. Jonah Goes to Pieces)”
Peter and MJ were attending a ceremony at the Bugle, where Jonah unveiled a statue of himself. Peter noticed that Otto Octavius was sneaking into the building and went after him. He found Ock in a maintenance tunnel and ended up buried in rubble after a quick fight. Jonah took the crowd inside and MJ worried about her husband. She went looking for him and stumbled upon Otto as he made his war up an elevator shaft to Jonah’s office. He recognized her as Peter’s wife and grabbed her by the throat with a tentacle. In Jonah’s office, he threatened to use a device in the maintenance tunnel to crumble the building and kill everyone inside. If Jonah doubted him, he’d kill MJ in front of him. (Spectacular Spider-Man 174)
”Spouse Trap”
In Jonah’s office, he pressed a secret button, calling Silver Sable’s Wild Pack to take down Ock without hurting MJ.
”The Love of Power”
Mary Jane's life had become increasingly complicated and miserable. She became sick with "SoHo sickness" after toxic chemicals were leaked into the water supply by Corona. (Spectacular Spider-Man #176)
”The Mutant Factor”
Peter and Mary Jane were discussing the prospect of having children and she was less certain than he was. It had been on her mind after Liz gave birth to Norman Jr and May’s hints about grandchildren was also driving the point home. Later, Spider-Man was talking with Beast from the X-Men, who warned him of the dangers of potentially having a mutant child. He said there was a slim chance that the child would be human but estimated at least an 85% chance of a complication. The baby could be handicapped deformed, a mutant, stillborn or cause the death of Mary Jane. He also warned of the difficulties of raising a mutant child. A baby with a mutation may have special needs, be a danger to his family, and be extremely expensive financially. All of that besides the persecution that the family would face.
Spider-Man returned home to Mary Jane. They’re both uncomfortable and she told him that she was having second thoughts about having a baby. She wanted to focus on her career and Peter’s crime fighting made raising a child unsafe. They were also concerned about Peter possibility passing on his power to a child, causing it to be a mutant. They didn’t want their baby to face persecution. Peter agreed and said when they if and did become parents, they’d be the best ones they could be. (Spider-Man (vol. 1) #15)
”Revenge of the Sinister Six”
Mary Jane was excited to tell Peter about a call she had gotten from her agent. She was being considered for a role in an Arnold Schwarzenheimer movie. Schwarzenheimer was a fan of her soap opera and the director wanted her for the role. Peter loved Arnold’s movies and was excited for her, until she mentioned that the role required nudity. That’s when Peter got uncomfortable, and was worried about their lack of privacy and the unwanted attention it would bring. MJ became angry and said that a lot of famous actresses did nude scenes and it wasn’t a big deal. Being in the movie would be huge for her career. He was surprised that she was okay with the offer and asked if she would regret it. She didn’t want Peter or anyone else standing in her way. (Spider-Man (vol. 1) #18)
He returned home from dealing with the Sinister Six and MJ told him he looked awful. He mentioned that he had gotten burgers on the way home and she was unhappy that he was eating so much junk. She knew that he got plenty of exercise but he should still eat healthily. She apologized for nagging him but then realized that she needed to leave for the movie’s screen test. Peter reluctantly wished her luck. (Spider-Man (vol.1) #20)
She woke up and saw that he wasn’t home yet. The worry began again but she calmed herself by thinking that maybe he was safe and helping another superhero. She felt bad about the tension between them regarding the movie. She both understood his discomfort but wanted her career to flourish. I’m times like this, a job seemed petty. She then saw on the calendar that his birthday was soon and she had nothing prepared. Later while doing the laundry, she heard a crash at the door and found Spider-Man laying on the floor. (Spider-Man #21)
After waking up in bed, he told her that his huge metal arm was a high tech cast created to heal a broken bone. He had slipped on a roller skate outside of their apartment door, hence the crash. He was surprised to see her sewing a new costume. She didn’t want him to wear the black costume again and the one behind repaired was the only one left. After he started shaving, they argued about their taste in music. He didn’t like anything newer than ten years old and she didn’t like anything older than a few months or in a movie soundtrack. That’s when she told him that she got the part in the movie.
He asked if she took the role and she gave the affirmative. He was furious and she reminded him that she said she’d take the part if offered. He asked what their aunts would think or their friends. He wanted to be supportive but told her better roles would come to her. She said it was just a movie and said he wasn’t being supportive at all. He saw on the TV that the Sinister Six were back and he promised he’d be home soon. Mary Jane tensely reminded him he’d better be home by dinner, since it was his turn to cook. (Spider-Man #22)
Standing outside of the studio office, Mary Jane pondered her situation. This could absolutely be the big break she was looking for. Yet she did respect Peter’s opinion and wondered what their families would say. She decided to ask if she could take the part but without the nudity. Then she was called into the office. After the meeting and Spider-Man had ended the threat of the Sinister Six, she told him that they rejected her request and she lost the job. She saw they didn’t care about her as an actress but only wanted her for her body. She could find another job. She led Peter home, where a surprise birthday party was waiting. (Spider-Man #23)
”Maximum Carnage”
MJ and Peter attended Harry’s funeral, unsure how to speak with Liz. She couldn’t bring herself to talk with Harry’s widow, and Peter briefly talked with her and she told them she didn’t want them t move out of the apartment. Later, Peter told his wife that he wanted her to stop smoking. He had just been to one funeral and didn’t want to attend another one. She told him that if Harry had become a smoker instead of the Green Goblin he might still be alive. She called him out on his hypocrisy of lecturing her on her health when he risked his life every day. He asked what she wanted from him and she said he needed to take a break for two weeks, to give each other a break. He said he’d try. While picking up Chinese food, Peter heard about a massacre at Ravencroft over the radio. Knowing immediately that Carnage was involved. Wondering what was taken him so long, she turned on the TV and learned about the bloodshed and knew where Peter had gone. (Spider-Man Unlimited #1)
He didn’t stay out long and returned to his wife hold his ribs after being kicked off of a roof by Doppelganger. She was furious that he hadn’t kept his word. She calmed down and and said they could talk in the morning after he had a chance to heal. He told her that she didn’t understand and he was going out again that night. She furiously asked if she was going to lose Peter the way Liz lost Harry. Peter replied that Dagger had already been killed and he couldn’t let Carnage’s gang escape. Peter stayed for a while but was sickened by the reports of casualties in Central Park. He swore he could have saved some of them and MJ replied that he could have been one of them. The doorbell rang and MJ went to get it, expecting Liz. Instead she found a badly beaten Venom. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #378)
Peter immediately tried to help his enemy, asking what could hurt Eddie like that. MJ resented Peter for calling him Eddie instead of Venom, the psychopath obsessed with killing Spider-Man. She left, refusing to see Peter killed in their own home. She went to stay with May and Peter’s parents. She called him to check on him but no one replied. (Spider-Man (vol. 1) #35)
Needing to blown off some steam, she went to a club called The Deep. Carnage and his group arrived at The Deep and continued their massacre. MJ was stunned by the violence, comparing them to a force of nature. She didn’t know how Peter expected to survive them, then realized that Spider-Man was nowhere to be seen. Trapped against a wall, Carnage mocked Black Cat that anyone could die and moved toward MJ. He was slapped away by Venom, who gave her a slimey lick as a taunt. After Carnage fled, Spider-Man stumbled onto his wife and asked if she was ok. She was and he went to save other survivors. As he agreed to continue the pursuit of the killers, he couldn’t look at Mary Jane. (Web of Spider-Man #102)
That evening Peter’s family prepared themselves for another night barricaded in the Osborn’s brownstone. They wished Mary Jane were with them but she insisted on being alone in her apartment. She knew they were worried about her but she couldn’t feel worried about herself when she was so worried about her husband. He came back to her, startling her. She immediately wanted to know how he could keep doing this to them, over and over. He stopped her, telling her he loved her. They hugged despite his broken ribs, which he needed. Mary Jane insisted that she couldn’t condone his constant danger but he immediately turned his attention to a news broadcast of a prison riot. A breakout was underway after the building was damaged by Carnage and the others. He soon ended the breakout. (Web of Spider-Man #103)
She joined everyone downstairs and May told her that worrying about Peter wouldn’t bring him home sooner. Watching the riot in Manhattan on TV, they saw that the fight had turned against the bad guys. Mary Jane commented that she had been wrong, trying was worth it. The optimism didn’t last long, as Shriek turned up her psychic control over the masses to goad them into more violence. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #380)
Back in the brownstone, Richard Parker was ranting about how the world was immoral and evil. Mary Jane heard enough and told him to shut up. There were good people out there trying to help the situation and she was tired of his negativity and cynicism. He tried to interrupt and she went on, saying that the heroes had made a difference. The crowd had briefly stopped their rioting after seeing the good that the vigilantes had been trying to do. They had been reminded that most people were good, deep down. She knew that if the violence could be stopped once, it could be stopped again. She then demanded to not hear another word from him. (Spider-Man #37)
Carnage seemed to have been killed and the city wide massacre had ended. Peter was bandaged up in a hospital as Mary Jane waited, stunned by the sheer number of victims. She was ready for him to keep that promise to stay home from being Spider-Man. Nervously, he told her that Carnage was still alive and free. In their apartment, he exposed the film of the pictures he had taken of the chaos, not wanting to profit from so much pain. Mary Jane knew that the film wasn’t the only reason he was awake. She repeated that she hated that he constantly put his life in danger and not knowing if he’d come home at all. She understood his reasoning and tried to accept it. Before he left, she reminded him that he had hit the jackpot. (Spider-Man Unlimited #2)
Then there was the clone saga. She had been continually ignored and disregarded by Peter - and had taken a lot more rubbish from him than I would have ever believed possible. Mary Jane became like the "police-man's wife", helplessly waiting by the window for her husband to come home, day after day, while her husband risked his life. Mary Jane's character was a far cry from the bubbly flirty crazy redhead she was as a teenager.
The storyline showed more hope for their marriage, when Mary Jane became pregnant during the Clone Saga. (For those of you living under a rock, the Jackal made clones of Peter and it caused all sorts of chaos in their lives.) The responsibility of being a parent inspired Peter to end his role as Spider-Man head out to Portland, Oregon to live a "normal life". That didn't end very long.
”Revelations”
The Green Goblin came back, and there was about n apparent "miscarriage" of the baby (though it seems Doctor Folsome and Alison Mongrain may have abducted the child - a plot line left in limbo). Peter and MJ entered therapy together, while she returned to ESU to study psychology. There she befriended Jill Stacy, Gwen's cousin. MJ's Aunt Anna was living with the couple in Aunt May's home in Forest Hills.
”Cold Blood
Peter Parker: Spider-Man 77 78
”Identity Crisis”
Some time after the death of their daughter and Ben, MJ and Peter knew it was time to move on. She was excited to go back to school and study psychology. She learned a lot about herself during the previous year but there was still more. She had been through a lot of trauma as a kid and hid it by playing the party girl without deep thoughts or feelings. Peter arrived home and told her that the Chameleon had discovered his secret. She was almost nonchalant, saying she was surprised that he hadn’t figured it out while impersonating Peter’s parents. Peter was surprised that she wasn’t more concerned and she reminded him of Eddie Brock. Venom knew Peter’s secret too and had attacked them personally. Others had done the same. They had been through a lot together and always survived. Then she told him to go kick Smerdyakov’s butt. She went to sleep and woke from a nightmare of a laughing man in the mirror, reaching through the glass. She was embarrassed that she had been brave in front of Peter but terrified when he was gone. She grabbed a baseball bat. (Spectacular Spider-Man #244)
Chameleon defeated Spider-Man with the help of Alyosha Kravinoff and Spidey was put into an electrified cage with John Jameson and Ashley Kafka. He impersonated Spider-Man and casually insinuated that he was going to Peter’s home. He and Mary Jane kissed and went upstairs for a cuddle but she warned him to be quiet and not wake up Anna. When Chameleon came out of the bathroom he found MJ with the bat. She told him that Peter would know that Anna was out of town and when they kissed, her skin crawled. She smashed a lamp to make her point and he dropped the disguise. He offered to look like anyone she wanted and she warned him to stay away. Smiling grimly, he told her that he would have what he wanted. When Spider-Man arrived, he found his terrified wife standing over the unconscious Chameleon. She told him that she just kept hitting him until he fell. They shared a stunned laugh that she beat him singlehanded but when they looked back, he was gone. They doubted he’d be back. (Spectacular Spider-Man #245)
Earlier in the day she saw the frightening face of Mad Jack leering at at her through May Parker’s window. As quickly as he was there, he was gone. She assumed she had imagined him but he was still waiting for her on the roof. (Spectacular Spider-Man #245)
”The Final Chapter”
Relaunch
MJ accepted an offer to model again, money started to pour in, and the two moved to an expensive apartment in Manhattan along with Aunt May. Peter once again quit being Spider-Man, and life seemed to be going great for the couple. Once again, Pete just couldn't stay out of the webs, and lied to his wife while secretly crime fighting. While MJ's busy modeling schedule was straining their relationship, the truth came out that her husband was still Spider-Man. Their marriage on the rocks, Mary Jane faced further problems as a stalker harassed her constantly on the phone - a secret she withheld from Peter.
”Time Enough?”
Mary Jane took off on a plane trip to do a photoshoot in Latveria. Pete was supposed to catch up with her and have time away to patch things up. With the stalker on board, the plane was seen exploding mid-air. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #13) Peter (and most comic book readers) refused to believe his wife dead, but was eventually convinced of her demise by a box of her belongings sent to him by the airport.
”Distractions”
After being assumed dead, she was found to be held alone in a darkened room. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol.) #28) Spider-Man again believed MJ was alive and turned NYC upside down to find her. Meanwhile we learn the stalker is a psychic with no control over his power. He once had a brief encounter with Spider-Man and learned a portion of Peter’s life. He wanted to become more like Spidey and went about that goal by terrorizing and kidnapping Mary Jane. Spider-Man found his wife but was knocked out by the stalker. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #29) The stalker explained that he was absorbing Peter’s memories and power, killing him. MJ tried to hit him with a chair but he told to to not be stupid. She hit Spider-Man instead and the pain hit both of them. The stalker hit her with some kind of eye beam, knocking her out. He disappeared and Spidey took her to a hospital. The doctor didn’t know how to help since they didn’t know exactly what happened. Spider-Man was contacted telepathically by the kidnapper, telling him to meet with him. During the fight, the stalker realized he can’t become Spider-Man because he doesn’t have his sense of responsibility. He then killed himself. Peter returned to the hospital for a tearful reunion with his wife. (Peter Parker: Spider-Man (vol. 2) #29)
“Cold Arms”
Peter and Aunt May traveled to L.A. to sort things out with MJ. She ignored his phone call and gave him two minutes to talk when he found her. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #43) He gave her a breathless explanation why he stood her up, which only mildly amused her. She told them to stay on the movie lot and they’d talk later. She was busy filming a superhero movie called “Lobster Man.” Later, MJ asked her costar what he thought of a hypothetical situation where a woman dated a superhero. He said she’d be a loser. Meanwhile,Spider-Man had a fight with Doctor Octopus and a thief called Carlyle. He was trapped under a pile of rubble. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #44) Trying to escape Doc Ock, Carlyle stubbles into MJ’s filming location. Octavius arrived soon after and saved Aunt May from him. Carlyle eventually overwhelmed Octopus but was stopped from killing him by Spider-Man. Ock told him how to defeat Carlyle and the fight was over. Over coffee, MJ told Peter that she still needed space from him but also still loved him. He said he’d wait as long as she needed. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #45)
”Doomed Affairs”
After spending time apart from MJ pursuing acting while in California, Peter and Mary Jane longed for each other. While Pete flew to California, she flew to New York. With both planes grounded due to storms, they coincidentally met in a Denver airport. They had intended to talk privately at home but instead talked about their marriage in the airport terminal. She felt like he treated her like a dirty secret or a mistress. He couldn’t acknowledge her in public as Spider-Man. Mary Jane recognized that Peter needed her in his life. Living a life so large, it had seemed as if she was insignificant. She's the motivation that keeps Spider-Man fighting and relentlessly driven to survive when the odds are against him. He tried to have this talk with her between assassination attacks on an unconscious Doctor Doom. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #50)
”Sins Past”
”Feral”
New York City’s animal themed criminals and vigilantes started to act like their namesakes after Stegron brought a magic rock back from the arctic. While the Parkers were living in Avengers Tower, MJ had a chance encounter with John Jameson. They agreed to meet for dinner with Peter. (Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) #23) May rang him into the building and when he arrived at their door, Man-Wolf jumped at Mary Jane. May distracted him by smashing a pot of hot water over his head, stalling him long enough for Iron Man’s security to arrive. (Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) #25)
”Exterminators”
Mary Jane was largely left alone by the super criminal element after Peter revealed his ID on national TV as part of the Superhuman Registration Act, except for a brief run in with Fritz von Meyer, aka Swarm. (Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) #30)
”The Last Temptation of Eddie Brock”
As May lay dying from the snipers gunshot, Peter wanted to speak with his comatose aunt. He persuaded Madame Web to speak with her telepathically. As the ritual commenced, Black Cat stood watch. (Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) #39)
”To Have and to Hold”
While looking for Peter, S.H.E.I.L.D. sent a former body guard of Mary Jane to interrogate her. (Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1)
”One More Day”
In his desperation to save May's life, Peter made a deal with Mephisto.
The demon wasn't interested in Peter's soul, because souls that suffer the torments of the netherworld still feel joy that their sacrifice did some good for someone else. Instead, he wanted Peter and Mary Jane's marriage. He would wipe their memories clean of the fact that they had been married, except for a small part that will remember. This tiny shard will cry out in lonely agony for eternity, bringing great pleasure to Mephisto.
Mary Jane made the deal with the demon, making a side bargain unknown to Peter. As the spell was being cast, Mephisto revealed that since they now had never been married, they never had a daughter. Finally, after 12 years, we had a resolution to the status of baby May. After Peter woke up to the new status quo, he was living with Aunt May again, Harry Osborn was alive and no one remembered that he was Spider-Man. Their new history was that he and MJ had had a long term relationship that had just ended, but had never been married.
Mary Jane had been living on the West Coast pursuing her acting career and seeing another actor (Bobby Carr) since she and Peter "broke up." (MJ apparently has no memory of the deal with Mephisto but remembers breaking up with Peter over all the time he spent as Spider-Man.) They were not on speaking terms and he saw nothing of the red headed stranger until Aunt May married J. Jonah Jameson, Sr. MJ returned to New York after Carr was found to be taking Mutant Growth Hormone (derived from Mattie Franklin's powers) for a movie role, supplied by the White Rabbit. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 4) #605)
After Peter finally found the courage to talk to her, they agreed to meet the next day at Grand Central Station.
Unfortunately, both of them had quite a bit to drink at the wedding and Mary Jane over slept for the meeting. Switching on the TV, she saw a report that Spider-Man had saved a group of people from a fire. Smiling to herself, she thought "Nice work, Tiger." After a series of awkward incidents, Peter and MJ talked about their relationship together. While neither wanted to get back together, they both cared deeply for each other. They thought back to their wedding day, and how Peter was late for it after catching an escaped criminal from Electro's gang. She demanded that he quit being Spider-Man and he refused. Mary only went back to him on her Aunt Anna's wishes.
They stayed an unmarried couple until after Aunt May was shot by the Kingpin's assassin after Peter unmasked. The shooter also nearly killed Aunt Anna and MJ refused to have anything more to do with Spider-Man. She left for the West Coast and started dating actor Bobby Carr, until she discovered his addiction to Mutant Growth Hormone.
”Red Headed Stranger”
Its been hard for her to let Peter go, but she has come accept that Carlie Cooper is now his girlfriend. MJ has been supportive of the relationship, even though she would like to be first on Peter list of loved ones when there is trouble.
”Origin of the Species”
Lily Hollister
Amazing Spider-Man 647
”Spider Island”
MJ was late in developing spider powers during Spider Island (when the Jackal and the Queen infected the people of Manhattan with a virus that gave them spider powers and then changed them into human spiders) but did so just in time to avoid being made into lunch by a mob of man spiders. She soon arrived at the church where Anti-Venom had been curing citizens of their mutations and protected them from the still transformed human spiders.
She brought them to Horizon Labs, knowing that Peter worked there. (It was hypothesized by Dr Richards that MJ's transformation had been slower than other people's due to she and Peter *a-hem* sharing DNA for years. She had gained an immunity.) Later, she held off the man spiders while Peter mentally controlled Dr Octopuses tiny octobots, who were delivering the "Anti-Venom cure" to the infected. After it was all over, Peter used a last sample of the cure on MJ.
”Great Heights”
MJ, Glory Grant and her new boyfriend went out dancing at The Wake, not knowing that it was a hideout for Adrian Toomes. Mary Jane got suspicious of the young thuggish teens that seemed to have enhanced strength. She called Peter and inadvertently alerted him to the Vulture's hideout. (Amazing Spider-Man #673)
”Dying Wish”
Amazing 700
”My Own Worst Enemy”
Superior #2
”Go Down Swinging”
Amazing #800
”Hunted”
“Last Remains”
”Behind the Scenes”
Spidey and MJ spent some romantic time together in a web hammock spun in a skyscraper. She was glad to spend time with him, since he hadn’t been himself. He was still reeling from the events with Kraven in Central Park and the visions he’d had of Mary Jane’s death. Later that night, he woke from a nightmare involving a decayed hooded figure murdering Mysterio. The figure spoke to Peter the entire time, telling him that he didn’t enjoy the murder but he needed Peter to feel responsible. He told Peter to call him Kindred. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #24)
At a later time, she and Peter were going to see a musical theater performance of the Fantastic Four. She wasn’t surprised when he didn’t show up, as he was looking for Curt Connors. MJ was glad to have friends outside of Peter and Carlie Cooper showed up as his replacement. She had been invited to the play by Melanie Daniels, a former model and actress that MJ had often competed with. MJ eventually won the “Secret Hospital” job but had to quit due to her chaotic life. Melanie took over her role and went on to great success as an actress.
Melanie invited Mary Jane and Carlie back to her dressing room to chat. Melanie asked where MJ disappeared to after she left “Secret Hospital,” it was as if she disappeared. She started to say that she was living with the Avengers and later, running a global mega-corporation but Melanie interrupted. The pressure of being a performer wasn’t for everyone and couldn’t blame her for taking a quieter life. She also didn’t have to worry about her looks anymore. When she emerged from behind the privacy screen, she was dressed as Sue Storm.
During the play, MJ did admit that she missed being in theater but her reflection was cut short by Electro (Francine Frye). The audience fled and Electro grabbed Melanie before live streaming the kidnapping. She demanded the viewers donate to an online fund and if the fund were not filled in an hour, Melanie went “zap.” Later, Electro checked the funds progress and it was well below what it needed to be and some commenters were even daring her to kill Melanie. Electro thought it was a great idea and changed the rules. She set up a second fund to kill Melanie and whichever fund received the most donations in five minutes would be the winner.
Carlie interrupted Electro, introducing herself as NYPD. Electro fried her and went back to the live stream. Five minutes later, the “kill her” option won and Electro asked if Melanie had last words. She gave a speech about how she was good at acting but hated being famous. The fame got weird and sometimes dangerous. Still, she enjoyed acting as it helped her figure out who she was. Electro was impressed by the monologue, even more so that it was improvised. She was sorry it would be her last performance but at least the world was watching. That’s when MJ took off the wig and told her she isn’t Melanie Daniels.
Electro recognized her as Mary Jane Watson from “Secret Hospital” and told her she was a fan. The fact that Melanie had replaced MJ was one reason that she chose her to be ransomed. Mary Jane explained that she has grabbed a spare Sue Storm costume and switched herself with Melanie when Carlie distracted her. (They got Carlie insulated beforehand but she groaned that it still hurt.) Electro was impressed but was still going to kill her, for free, sadly. That gave the stage manager time to dump the water tank used in the play onto Electro, shorting her out.
Spider-Man showed up later an apologized for not making it to the play but she was over it. She knew he was going to be shocked when he read the reviews. Later she had coffee with Carlie, watching the news of the kidnapping. MJ got a call from her former agent, who wanted to rehire her. He had a perfect director for her, one that asked for her personally. It was a revived Mysterio. (Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 25) #25)
“Let’s Try Something New!”
After Spidey and Boomerang adopted Gog, the creature went wild, grew to a huge size, and climbed a skyscraper. This was after it was attacked by Bullseye on Kingpin’s order. After he was shrunk back to a safe size, they left him with MJ. They’d come back for him after dealing with Fisk. MJ said she and “Goggy Woggy” would have fun. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #62)
Quiz: Ms. Watson, This is Your Life.
Image Gallery
Appearances
Thanks To
The assistance of the Marvel Chronology Project is gratefully acknowledged.
Some of the above information is extracted from the various versions of the Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe and the more recent Marvel Encyclopaedias.