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Iron Spider Mary Jane

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So, it's probably safe to say that I haven't really been that big of a fan of what has been going on with Spider-Man for the past few years.  And, lately, there has been very little coming out of the Spider-Man offices at Marvel that hasn't made me excited or interested in what is going on with the character.  And even if there is, it always came with a caveat of it probably not meaning what I would hope it would mean.

So imagine my surprise on Friday when this little story broke:

www.bleedingcool.com/2016/03/1…

I have to say, this really did make my day.

As a quick glance at my gallery may have shown, I am a big fan of MJ as a character, and her relationship with Spider-Man.  They are perhaps my favourite fictional couple, and their stories have been a big influence on shaping my feelings toward the characters.

But, as many probably know, the past few years haven't been good if you are a fan of that relationship.  The books and outside media didn't really seem that keen on promoting that relationship, and the Spider-Offices seemed dead set on relegating MJ and her relationship with Peter to the history books, and insisting that it was just another one in a long line of relationships, and not something all that special.

So over the years, MJ- one of the most well developed and full three dimensional characters in comics- was pushed to the side, and criticized for everything wrong in the books, while focus when onto lesser and less likeable characters.  MJ all of a sudden was secondary to the likes of Norah Winters, Michelle Gonzales, Silk and Carlie Cooper, none of who had nearly as much substance as MJ in terms of personality or likability.  Not only that, but other characters who aren't nearly as popular got to be pushed to the centre stage, if not be outright heroes.  ASM became the Harry Osborn show for about three years.  Flash stepped into the role of Agent Venom.  Even Gwen Stacy got to be a hero and got her own title.  

And it really says something about the character's priority in the hierarchy of the company that the dead girl gets to be a hero before the living, more popular one.  

But, with that in mind, I do think that a corner was turned a few years back, most notably around the time Stephen Wacker left the series as group editor.  Renew Your Vows was the first link in the chain, and I think we are seeing the steps in building a larger arc that will eventually resolve a lot of problems the book created over the past few years.  Particularly in the character of MJ and how she was thrown under the bus for the sake of lesser properties.  

What does the image mean?  Does this mean that MJ is the new Iron Spider?  I don't know.  I'd be for it.  I like the idea of a character like MJ stepping into a new role and becoming a bigger part of the Marvel U. as a whole, and not just regarded as Peter's girlfriend or significant other.  She's a strong enough character to stand on her own.  

And even if the story doesn't have MJ taking on a heroic identity of her own, I think it is an important step regardless.  After years of playing second fiddle to someone like Carlie Cooper, and being diminished and disparaged and not given a chance to shine, it's nice to finally see a story where there is the promise that not only will MJ kick a little @$$ during it, but she will be acting brave, courageous and selfless, and just downright acting like a hero.

And that's been a long time coming.  
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Highlynx's avatar
I spin off story where mary  jane becomes spiderman instead of peter would be an interesting read.