What do you think?
Rate this book
Mary Jane (Collected Editions)
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane: The Real Thing
Everybody loves Mary Jane Watson - so why not Spider-Man? Whether she's in class, hanging out at the Coff ee Bean or attending homecoming, she's always the center of attention. But is everything about Mary Jane quite what it seems? Join MJ, her best friend Liz Allan, Liz's boyfriend, Flash Thompson, and their good pal Harry Osborn - not to mention a certain bookworm by the name of Peter Parker - as they experience the thrilling highs and devastating lows of high school existence! But is MJ's crush on the web-slinger pure fantasy? Could romance lie elsewhere? The path of true love never did run smooth! It's a timeless story you know - from a completely fresh perspective!
280 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2019
3 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Sean McKeever
537 books36 followersAfter 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 27, 2019
As much as I love Spider-Man swinging his way through New York City saving people, battling supervillains and being accused as a public menace by J. Jonah Jameson, I also love the little guy when he’s not donning the suit and has to endure the normality that many of us go through. In fact, some of the best Spidey stories are just about Peter Parker is trying to get through everyday life, most notably in Ultimate Spider-Man. However, what happens when you shift the focus away from the hero and more on someone who has always been defined as the love interest? That’s what Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane is all about.
Set outside the regular Marvel continuity, this is a teen drama that aims at fans of soap operas as opposed to the main comic book audience. As the homecoming dance is approaching, Mary Jane Watson cannot think of anyone to go with and thinks about not going at all. Her best friend Liz Allen suggests their friend Harry as being Mary Jane's date and thus – despite Mary Jane's reservation against dating a friend and her crush on Spider-Man – the two start going out.
Introduced in the mid-sixties, Mary Jane has always been seen as the glamorous love interest, but as the years went out, the insecurities began to show, especially in her on-off relationship with Peter Parker. That sense of insecurity behind the glamour paved the way for recent incarnations of the character from Ultimate Spider-Man to Sam Raimi’s film trilogy, and is absolutely there in this alternate storyline. Despite the few glimpses of Spider-action, writer Sean McKeever is more about the soap opera within the high school where MJ struggles with friendships and the complicated romantic entanglements that could come out of them.
For the majority of this first volume, Peter/Spidey may pop here and there, but it’s about MJ, who suddenly becomes part of a love square involving Liz, Flash Thompson and Harry Osborn. McKeever truly nails the dialogue of this youthful cast, who can spout pop culture references whilst speaking in relatable terms about their conflicting feelings. This is a coming-of-age tale of teenagers who are wrestling with their emotions, that just happens to feature a superhero who would intervene in some way. The main drama isn’t so much about some threat with destructive plans towards New York City, the majority of this story is about who is going out with who as they are about to attend the homecoming dance.
With the rest of this volume that covers the first three issues of the actual Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane comic, homecoming has passed and the central relationships are somewhat broken. That said, high school has to go on and how does MJ find solace? By finding new friendships, not least with the socially-awkward and bookish nerd, Peter Parker. It may seem frustrating in how Spider-Man is depicted here in that there is an air of mystery to the masked vigilante whilst the plucky Peter seems like a separate character. This is obviously used to attract a type of reader that may not appreciate superhero comics, but the book itself does present a fresh and interesting angle to the character.
Known for incorporating a manga sensibility in his art style, Takeshi Miyazawa is also known for illustrating the young players of the Marvel universe from the Runaways to Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel. Like I said, you do see the brief superpowers going on, such as a cameo from Firestar, but Miyazawa is more about visualising the high school surroundings and its inhabitants with big panels and character designs that are cutesy and will appeal to readers of all ages.
I’m always excited to see new spins on Spidey’s world and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane achieves just that by focusing on the red-haired girl who has a crush on the Everyman hero.
Set outside the regular Marvel continuity, this is a teen drama that aims at fans of soap operas as opposed to the main comic book audience. As the homecoming dance is approaching, Mary Jane Watson cannot think of anyone to go with and thinks about not going at all. Her best friend Liz Allen suggests their friend Harry as being Mary Jane's date and thus – despite Mary Jane's reservation against dating a friend and her crush on Spider-Man – the two start going out.
Introduced in the mid-sixties, Mary Jane has always been seen as the glamorous love interest, but as the years went out, the insecurities began to show, especially in her on-off relationship with Peter Parker. That sense of insecurity behind the glamour paved the way for recent incarnations of the character from Ultimate Spider-Man to Sam Raimi’s film trilogy, and is absolutely there in this alternate storyline. Despite the few glimpses of Spider-action, writer Sean McKeever is more about the soap opera within the high school where MJ struggles with friendships and the complicated romantic entanglements that could come out of them.
For the majority of this first volume, Peter/Spidey may pop here and there, but it’s about MJ, who suddenly becomes part of a love square involving Liz, Flash Thompson and Harry Osborn. McKeever truly nails the dialogue of this youthful cast, who can spout pop culture references whilst speaking in relatable terms about their conflicting feelings. This is a coming-of-age tale of teenagers who are wrestling with their emotions, that just happens to feature a superhero who would intervene in some way. The main drama isn’t so much about some threat with destructive plans towards New York City, the majority of this story is about who is going out with who as they are about to attend the homecoming dance.
With the rest of this volume that covers the first three issues of the actual Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane comic, homecoming has passed and the central relationships are somewhat broken. That said, high school has to go on and how does MJ find solace? By finding new friendships, not least with the socially-awkward and bookish nerd, Peter Parker. It may seem frustrating in how Spider-Man is depicted here in that there is an air of mystery to the masked vigilante whilst the plucky Peter seems like a separate character. This is obviously used to attract a type of reader that may not appreciate superhero comics, but the book itself does present a fresh and interesting angle to the character.
Known for incorporating a manga sensibility in his art style, Takeshi Miyazawa is also known for illustrating the young players of the Marvel universe from the Runaways to Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel. Like I said, you do see the brief superpowers going on, such as a cameo from Firestar, but Miyazawa is more about visualising the high school surroundings and its inhabitants with big panels and character designs that are cutesy and will appeal to readers of all ages.
I’m always excited to see new spins on Spidey’s world and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane achieves just that by focusing on the red-haired girl who has a crush on the Everyman hero.
Read
December 20, 2021❤'d it. I'll read again soon and definitely want the others.
October 2, 2022
mary jane watson is too good for this world and nobody deserves her other than me and peter parker
December 8, 2020
Comprei com uma certa desconfiança este encadernado Homem-Aranha Ama Mary Jane, que mostra os primeiros dias do Homem-Aranha através da visão da futura senhora Parker, Mary Jane Watson. Achei que poderia ser muito bobinho, muito voltado para crianças e que não respeitaria os personagens e suas, digamos, mitologias. Mas o que me fez tomar a atitude de adquirir este quadrinho foi a presença de Sean McKeever nos roteiros, acompanhei alguns quadrinhos que ele escreveu, sempre com personagens menos requisitados e sabia que ele manda bem. Nos desenhos, Takeshi Myasawa, que trabalhou com Miss Marvel Kamala Khan. No fim das contas me surpreendi com a qualidade deste quadrinho, principalmente por ser um quadrinho da Marvel. Ele parece bem mais um mangá slice-of-life, de cotidiano, falando das idas e vindas dos relacionamentos dos alunos do colégio Midtown e isso é ótimo. É realmente uma nova pegada e uma nova visão dos primeiros dias do Homem-Aranha, muitíssimo agradável de se ler. Não é só indicado para quem gosta de histórias de relacionamentos, ou de estilo mangá, mas para fãs que curtem a mitologia do Homem-Aranha.
June 10, 2022
Ahhh I loved this!!! Peter is so cute <33
January 31, 2023
Un poco placer culposo, un poco infantil, además se nota que lo ha escrito un señor y eso le resta puntos. El test de Bechdel no lo pasa. Igualmente, el final que tiene te obliga a leer el segundo tomo.
October 9, 2019
The characters in this are ridiculously annoying, the story is cliche, and the art is just ... *horrendous*. I wouldn’t call it a spider-man story worth reading, no matter how much I unconditionally love MJ Watson.
May 22, 2024
As someone who genuinely enjoys the high school drama/day-to-day life aspect of Spider-Man stories over the world-ending schemes that Spidey has to stop, I thought this book was very cute and very refreshing.
The biggest issue for me in this book is, unfortunately, the writing. Peter Parker is essentially relegated to a side character, with him as Spider-Man being even more sidelined. And while I like the other characters, I don't think many of them were very believable. Spider-Man stories have always been unrealistic, but the human elements always felt more grounded in reality, with the characters going through realistic issues in their normal lives. I can't take the subplot where Lindsay tries to make MJ jealous by dating Harry seriously because it isn't very believable.
However, I did still enjoy this book, so I want to move on to what I enjoyed. First of all, the art by Takeshi Miyazawa is incredible. The expressions are very lively and well-drawn, and most of the modernized designs of the characters work very well, aside from Peter (spiky hair does not fit him AT ALL). I also think MJ worked really well here. I hope in the future issues she's expanded on more, and hopefully they'll finally get to her realizing she's into Peter after all of the hints they deliver.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book, and do want to see where the story goes in future issues, but I can't see myself coming back to this book, at least not for a while.
The biggest issue for me in this book is, unfortunately, the writing. Peter Parker is essentially relegated to a side character, with him as Spider-Man being even more sidelined. And while I like the other characters, I don't think many of them were very believable. Spider-Man stories have always been unrealistic, but the human elements always felt more grounded in reality, with the characters going through realistic issues in their normal lives. I can't take the subplot where Lindsay tries to make MJ jealous by dating Harry seriously because it isn't very believable.
However, I did still enjoy this book, so I want to move on to what I enjoyed. First of all, the art by Takeshi Miyazawa is incredible. The expressions are very lively and well-drawn, and most of the modernized designs of the characters work very well, aside from Peter (spiky hair does not fit him AT ALL). I also think MJ worked really well here. I hope in the future issues she's expanded on more, and hopefully they'll finally get to her realizing she's into Peter after all of the hints they deliver.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book, and do want to see where the story goes in future issues, but I can't see myself coming back to this book, at least not for a while.
October 20, 2021
A pesar de que sabía a lo que venía al leer un cómic de la colección de jóvenes adultos de Marvel, la verdad es que me he sentido muy alejada del público objetivo. La trama se centra en el personaje de Mary Jane en su etapa del instituto y sus relaciones de amistad y amoríos. Es una lectura muy ligera, pero no he sentido que me aportara nada interesante o que no sepa.
March 19, 2021
Muy entretenida historia de MJ, de su relación con sus amigos, el instituto.. Y su obsesión con Spidey.
Me ha parecido un buen arranque de saga, más costumbrista que superheroica, centrada en la adolescencia de una joven.
Me ha parecido un buen arranque de saga, más costumbrista que superheroica, centrada en la adolescencia de una joven.
September 15, 2023
Buena historia diferente (se centra el vida de instituto/adolescente de MJ)
Aunque algunos momentos da coraje por cómo de imbéciles pueden ser los adolescentes a veces (son situaciones que se dan, pero pongamos de excusa las hormonas)
Aunque algunos momentos da coraje por cómo de imbéciles pueden ser los adolescentes a veces (son situaciones que se dan, pero pongamos de excusa las hormonas)
January 9, 2021
2.5. Ugh, it really didn't get good until the last panel.
January 24, 2021
Non supereroi, ma storie di adolescenti. Una lettura senza impegno.
April 3, 2021
No está mal verlo desde otro punto de vista
July 21, 2021
Storie pre-adolescenziali banali e piene di clichè.
January 31, 2022
its just a very light story and easy to read + teenagers doing dumb sh1t
March 14, 2022
Peak 2000s soap opera. Loved it! Reminded me of Totally Spies & Smallvile. Can’t wait to read the next volume!
May 30, 2024
meh boring and unlikeable all but peter
July 15, 2025
petermj bears
January 7, 2025
Es impresionante. Al principio no me gustaba mucho porque trataba únicamente de Harry, MJ, Liz y Flash, pero según avanzaba la historia ya iba apareciendo Peter Parker.
Spiderman está genial dibujado y con su humor que le caracteriza, MJ un poco diferente dibujada pero no está mal.
La evolución de Liz es encantadora y MJ. Peter está en su línea de perfección y Flash, pírate.
Spiderman está genial dibujado y con su humor que le caracteriza, MJ un poco diferente dibujada pero no está mal.
La evolución de Liz es encantadora y MJ. Peter está en su línea de perfección y Flash, pírate.
August 2, 2019
I loved the chance to revisit this older comic. This reprint is sturdy, cheap (so younguns and new comics fans can read!), and tells a full narrative. Something I've lamented with these newer middle-grade collections is how the ending point can feel arbitrary at times. It's something older fans' are accustomed to, but the middle grade market offers graphic novels as complete narratives. Marvel was wise to end this collection where it did.
I do think this title is....slow? It's not for reluctant readers. It's the opposite; you really have to WANT to spend a day in Mary Jane's shoes. The story gets to Riverdale-levels of frenemy drama, and Spidey himself is more of a metaphor than a real character.
But the artwork absolutely saves this title and makes it more than the sum of its parts. Good stuff.
I do think this title is....slow? It's not for reluctant readers. It's the opposite; you really have to WANT to spend a day in Mary Jane's shoes. The story gets to Riverdale-levels of frenemy drama, and Spidey himself is more of a metaphor than a real character.
But the artwork absolutely saves this title and makes it more than the sum of its parts. Good stuff.
January 19, 2022
Drama marama marama, esta serie es drama puro. Desde hace años quería leerla, y creo que de adolescente me hubiera gustado más.
Es una historia perfecta para quienes no tenemos ni la menor idea de todas las líneas argumentales del Hombre Araña, pero hay demasiado sentimientos adolescentes de por medio y a pesar que la historia es bastante ligera, pues parecía más una telenovela juvenil.
Otro asunto es que escribieron esta serie a principios de los años dos mil, y pues muchas cosas ya se ven diferentes en cuanto a las relaciones románticas y amistosas.
En fin, pese a todo voy a seguir con los otros volúmenes.
Es una historia perfecta para quienes no tenemos ni la menor idea de todas las líneas argumentales del Hombre Araña, pero hay demasiado sentimientos adolescentes de por medio y a pesar que la historia es bastante ligera, pues parecía más una telenovela juvenil.
Otro asunto es que escribieron esta serie a principios de los años dos mil, y pues muchas cosas ya se ven diferentes en cuanto a las relaciones románticas y amistosas.
En fin, pese a todo voy a seguir con los otros volúmenes.
March 29, 2020
It's cute, it's a very different take, but as a fan of these characters it feels like a massive missed opportunity. Where are MJ's parents? Why is Peter so unattractive and nice-guyish? I'm not against a high school romance AU with all the main Spider-Man cast, but why do it if you aren't going to explore the backgrounds and flaws and wrinkles that make them interesting in the first place? The potential isn't met.
January 1, 2020
Feels like a throw-back Archie Comics tie-in.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews