Mary Jane, Volume 1: Circle of Friends

Mary Jane #1-4

by Sean McKeever (Writer), Takeshi Miyazawa

Whether she's going to school or hanging out with her friends at the Coffee Bean, Mary Jane Watson is always the life of the party. But what no one knows is that this gorgeous redhead's exuberant personality is a shell designed to make her forget about life's harsh realities. From her social life to her undying interest in becoming an actress to her crush on that costumed crime-fighter who swings along the New York City rooftops, it's clear that Mary Jane just wants to escape.

Join MJ, Harry Osborn, Liz Allen, Flash Thompson and Harry's nerdy friend, Peter Parker, as they experience the thrilling highs and the crushing lows of high-school existance in this new teen drama!

Collecting: Marvel Age Mary Jane 1-4

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Romance, Young Adult, Spider Man, Superheroes

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2004

About the author

After writing indie comics (such as the ensemble teen-drama The Waiting Place) for six years, Sean got his big break writing an issue of The Incredible Hulk for Marvel Comics in 2001. Since then, Sean has written hundreds of comics for Marvel, DC Comics and other publishers, including notable runs on Sentinel, Inhumans, Mystique, Marvel Adventures Spider-Man, Gravity, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, Birds of Prey and Teen Titans.

Best known for delivering introspective, character-driven work, Sean also wrote several weeks of the Funky Winkerbean syndicated comic strip, much of which has been reprinted in the celebrated collection, Lisa's story: the other shoe.

In 2005, Sean won the Eisner Award for Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition.

Sean continues to write comic books; he also writes for the videogame and animation industries.

Reviews

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book comes awfully close into making Mary Jane into an independent character. And it returns to "Spider-Man in High School," which everyone prefers to "Spider-Man in student debt."

The real problem is that this Mary Jane seems to be defined at all the critical moments by the fact that men are after her and she is after Spider-Man. I think this book, for instance, might fail the Bechdel test.

In other words, what the Mary Jane comicbook needs is MORE Mary Jane.

[Jaye Berry]

The art was pretty cute but this was pretty meaningless. 💀 Mary Jane is just getting ready for prom and dealing with her friends, starting to go out with her friend Harry but oop she has a crush on Spider-man. Then her friend Flash has a crush on her and he's tired of his girlfriend Liz calling him dumb meanwhile Liz thinks a hug between Flash & Mary Jane is something ~else~.

Spider-man and Peter Parker are not really in this at all ! Which is fine if it was actually ever interesting but it was the most shallow and boring teen drama ever where Mary Jane's life revolves around the boys she likes.

[LYS. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When you see Mary Jane talking to someone? It's like . . . it doesn't matter who she's talking to, that person's the only person who matters. The only person in the world. It's like, when she notices you, or when she looks at you . . . you feel . . . special, you know?" —#3

listen i don't mind slice of life, or even high school drama but mj's character is just lackluster idk

[Daina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I want to read

[Sha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. But the crush quadrilaterals are at Joss Whedon levels.

[Punkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
While a Mary Jane driven story is hardly necessary, this series makes up for it with a sweet story and adorable artwork.

[Beary Into Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3

It was okay, I was hoping for more.

[Oriana White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood classic!

[Jenna Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Sub par could have been so much more but it was all very immature.

[Bill Doughty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of the manga-esque mini-series focusing on Spider-Man's future wife, Mary Jane Watson, that led to another mini-series, that led to the ongoing Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane series. Spidey Loves MJ is a good series because it manages to hit the right mix of teen romantic comedy and, well, Spider-Man stuff. This first effort is pretty light on that latter aspect. Which was probably the point, I guess, but without much Spidey, or even much Peter Parker, this is basically a book about the popular kids in the Webhead's high school. And as a certified Peter Parker type myself, why do I want to read that? Still, a decent read, but not as fun as the stuff that comes later on. Gotta start somewhere, I suppose.

[Elizabeth Hawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have grown up with Marvel books but had never seen a book right on Mary Jane. This story was interesting. It deals with a lot of high school problems that teens handle. Mary Jane is popular and well loved. But at times things still do not go the right way. There is also a sense of imagination in the book because Spider man is still in the book! Which makes it fun! The book was high passed and honestly fun to read. Took me back to high school. Visual artwork was seen through out this whole book! it was really wonderful. Not only were there actual pictures in the book but there was also a lot of descriptive words. Gave the imagination a wild ride!

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was certainly cute, but it seemed rather useless. The whole plot of this collection was Mary Jane prepping for prom. Harry wants to take their relationship out of the friend-zone, but Mary Jane can only think about Spider-Man, however the web-slinger is a total enigma and only makes a brief appearance in one of the chapters. Flash is sick of Liz being a total brat and has feelings for Mary Jane, but she firmly puts him in his place...however, Liz misinterprets a hug and that's all folks! Really reads more like an episode of Degrassi it was a pretty meaningless collection.

[LFPL Teen Services · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great comic book for girls! Little or no background knowledge of super-heroes necessary.

Mary Jane is a typical teen, not sure which boy she likes, always trying to fit in, and hopelessly in love with a superhero. The Mary Jane story continues in a second series called Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane.

This is a great graphic novel series for older elementary and middle school girls.

-Kate.

[Inknose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only overtly girly comic series I follow, and I feel no shame in my love for it. Sean McKeever writes teenage dialogue SO well - he doesn't get all clichéd with too many "likes" and whatnot, but he certainly knows when an "omigod!" is completely necessary. It's fun soap-opra-y teenage drama, but with real heart, and whenever things are getting a bit dull, Spider-man will inevitably show up to keep things interesting with a hint of superhero goodness.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spiderman is pushed to the sidelines as Mary Jane becomes the main character...mostly just about young love and all the complications that go along with that. If you can't decide if you are crushing on Spiderman or trying to stay true to your boyfriend it can be a terribly confusing world.

[Amy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to read more. Mary Jane has a crush on Spider-Man, is dating Harry her best friend, and is looking for the perfect job. She has typical teen-age problems yet at the same time there's Spiderman!

[G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess it's alright? It kept me going, so I can't say it's completely awful, but so many things about it bothered me. I didn't like how Liz actually said MJ needs a guy in her life -- what?! -- and it was a bit tacky how every. single. dude. falls in love with MJ.

[Jenn Morgans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is SO CUTE, I cannot. I couldn't resist because, you know, high school and Spider-Man and my darling MJ, and I'm so pleased I read this! The art is adorable, MJ is my queeeeeeeeen, Harry is adorable, Peter is adorable, I'm just a happy ball of fluff right now. So, so sweet. Ahem.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginnings of an absolutely fantastic comic series here. McKeever's portrayal of MJ feels very real and grabs your attention, and Miyazawa's art is astounding.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures in this comic book are extremely pretty.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintessential American shojou manga. What's not to love?

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times, a bit puerile, but nice characters, nice art, and an easy read.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate Mary Jane's friends. Liz is the WORST.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

So. Much. Drama.
High school is ridiculous.
That said, this is a nice little ball of fluff. And it'd be even better if had a little more depth.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly, but I loved the teen girls' body language on display in the graphic format.

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much romance, not enoughnSpidey.

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A likeable, realistic heroine with Spidey providing an action angle.