Was Spider-Man’s marriage nothing but a mistake? Even though fan loved the comic romance, one of Marvel’s top creatives thinks thatSpider-Man’smarriage to Mary Jane Watson was actually a big mistake. It’s been years since the couple’s marriage was removed from continuity, according to writer-editor Chris Claremont, the move was a step in the right direction for Marvel.
After all, when it comes to comic book couples, Peter Parker and MJ rank up therewith Superman and Lois Lane. However, love has been a battle for Spider-Man and, after marrying the girl of his dreams, he was forced to give it all up. While many fans think the marriage’s end was a mistake, the real mistake was the wedding ever happening in the first place says Claremont.
Chris Claremont Reaffirms That Spider-Man’s Marriage Was A Mistake
The Only Married Couple Should Be Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman
Mary Jane Watson might not have beenSpider-Man’s first love interest, but she was first in his heart from the moment MJ confessed her feelings. It took some time for Peter Parker and Mary Jane to find their way to one another, especially considering Peter was dating Gwen Stacy at the time of MJ’s debut. Still, the two had incredible chemistry, and after Gwen’s death,Spider-Man and Mary Jane eventually began dating. After a decade of will-they, won’t-they, the two finally got married. It was obvious that fans were ecstatic, but the editorial was not as happy.
Case in point, Marvel Comics icon Chris Claremont fielded a question at Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo which him why he had an issue with Mary Jane. Claremont denied he had a problem with Mary Jane but contended it was a mistake for her and Peter to get married, admitting anyone other than Reed Richards and Sue Storm getting married under Marvel is a mistake. In Claremont’s opinion,once a character like Spider-Man is married and settles down, he becomes less engaging for a reader.
Spider-Man and Mary Jane’s wedding occurred inThe Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21!
Now, to be clear, Claremont is not the only creative at Marvel who took issue with Spider-Man’s marriage. Marvel’s former editor-in-chief Joe Quesada was infamously critical of Spider-Man and Mary Jane’s wedding, believing that it aged the characters too much. While Peter and MJ’s marriage was canon for a good 20 years, Marvel changed history with its controversial “One More Day” arc which involved Spider-Man exchanging his marriage to Mephisto to save the life of a dying Aunt May. A large number offans have criticized this move, but Marvel Comics has largely stuck to the change.
Claremont denied he had a problem with Mary Jane, but contended that it was a mistake for her and Peter to get married.
Marriage Doesn’t Have To Be The Limitation Marvel Thinks It Is
Other Heroes Have Made Marriage Work, Why Not Spider-Man?
Just look at DC, okay? Superman got married to Lois Lane and, aside from a break caused by a reboot at one time, the Man of Steel’s marriage is going strong. Not to mention,Marvel’s newUltimate Spider-Mannot only shows Peter married to MJ but raising children with her.The romance has become a key part of theUltimateline, and to be frank, it has some fans preferring the universe to Marvel’s own mainline continuity.
Claremont and Marvel Comics might think that Spider-Man’s wedding to Mary Jane robbed him of something. However the truth is that ffans do want to see characters grow and evolve. Sure, there’s something exciting about a fresh romance, but building upon a hero’s history is just as enticing.Spider-Man’smarriage may be seen as a mistake to some, but for many fans, his “I Do” was the best part of Peter Parker’s story.
