Spider-man Loves Mary Jane: Sophomore Jinx Gn

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane (2008) #1-5

by Terry Moore

As Mary Jane starts her sophomore year of high school, she contends with her ongoing crush on Spider-Man, her difficult family life, relationships with classmates, and her new identity as Limo Girl.

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

120 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Following the examples of independent comic creators such as Dave Sim and Jeff Smith, he decided to publish Strangers in Paradise himself through his own Houston-based "Abstract Studios" imprint, and has frequently mentioned a desire to do a syndicated cartoon strip in the authors notes at the back of the Strangers in Paradise collection books. He has also mentioned his greatest career influence is Peanuts' Charles Schulz.[1] Some of Moore's strip work can additionally be found in his Paradise, Too! publications.

His work has won him recognition in the comics industry, including receiving the Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story in 1996 for Strangers in Paradise #1-8, which was collected in the trade paperback "I Dream of You".

It was announced on June 15th, 2007 that Moore would be taking over for Sean McKeever as writer of Marvel Comics's Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane series starting with a new issue #1. On July 27th, Marvel announced that Moore would also take over for Joss Whedon as writer of Marvel's Runaways.[2]

On November 19th, 2007 Terry Moore announced in his blog that his new self-published series would be named Echo and its first issue would appear on March 5th, 2008.[3]

Reviews

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume did not live up to the previous installments written by Sean McKeever, I can see why it was cancelled. Nothing about this was believable, the dialogue was so unrealistic it was almost painful to read. The high school drama was an absolute snooze and instead of sympathizing with MJ I found I wanted to slap her whiny ass.

There was one plot thread that I found truly obnoxious and that was "limo girl". MJ is late to theater class and apologizes but the 'director' insists that she act her way out of the situation...?



So she adopts this genius valley girl identity in which her limo got stuck in the drive thru at Starbucks and that she doesn't care about being late for school. Hilarious, isn't it... Apparently the whole school thinks so since they adopt the character as some lame ass school meme and people start rebelling against the man in the name of "Limo Girl".



It was so lame it was cringe worthy.

Mary Jane doesn't like the attention either, it only adds to her depression. She gets a job at a hair salon but one stylist (an ADULT who acts like a high schooler) doesn't like her. MJ gets home and her mother is working late and leaves a frozen casserole...oh the horror, what a neglectful bitch. MJ is a miserable person most of the time and it was really hard to care.



Whenever Parker/Spidey appeared I was happy but unfortunately those appearances were few and far between.

Overall, this was not nearly as successful as the first installment. It really makes you appreciate Sean McKeever who wrote high school drama that was relate-able and felt genuine and somehow made you care about the petty concerns of freshmen. This book just missed the mark in so many ways, it was readable but quite a disappointment.

[Kris Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, I thought it’d have a more romantic edge to it since it was supposed to be allegedly a spin-off for the Spider-Man loves Mary Jane series. However, it doesn’t seem to be the case lol 😆. It really was about just Mary Jane having a hard few days up front. I don’t think it’s enough to buy and feel like you’re getting value out of it. Personally, thought it’d expound on their relationship after the confession. Also, the drawing style is vastly different. If you’re a Spider-Man x Mary Jane fan I’d say I guess get it? But don’t expect Peter to make a ton of appearances lol.

[Mikajae · Rating 3 out of 5]

why was there no romantic ending

[Alex G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Rousseau's art here, it's cute but too different from Miyazawa's original art. I think my biggest complaint was the strange writing. It was less campy and a bit too grumpy. Shame about the series getting cancelled but not too surprised seeing the direction it took strange direction it took. Sweet ending though

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again reading this next one in the set I just found it a bit childish and a bit pointless. Easy to read but didn't really gain anything from it. I'm glad i read it as it's another one off my list but I wouldn't go out of my way to read anymore if they did get published.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

A garbage sequel to Spider-Man loves Mary Jane. Different artist and different writers. How big of an ego do you have to have- to have your name TERRY MOORE bigger than the actual title of the book?? Not to mention how lazy the graphic design is, they didn’t even color the sparkles in Mary Jane’s name it’s just grey. The gradient blue background with a yellow skinned Mary Jane, horrendous.

The art inside is just horrendous, this is such a flippant cash grab it’s sad. No wonder “art by Craig Rousseau” is in a tiny corner.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

We follow Mary Jane as she starts her Sophomore year in high school and witness all the drama that comes with being a teenager. Spiderman/Peter Parker makes a free appearances but its mostly Mary Janes everyday life.

A typical teenage serial drama episode, nothing new but still a nice read.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just kind of peters out. Pun not intended.

I guess once Mary Jane and Peter Parker are dating then Moonlight and everything. Although Bendis's Ultimate run shows there's more there.

Seems like the series was good when it was going . . . .

[Zuleima Manville · Rating 2 out of 5]

Limo girl was overrated. I also just want her and Peter to date. Is that so hard? And also, can we get this series back up?

[skai_booksandbracelets · Rating 5 out of 5]

So adorable! I just wish there was more Spider-Man/Peter Parker. I love seeing their friendship!

[Jaye Berry]

Terrible and somehow worse than the others??? Different writer, different artist and it was sooo cringy. And ofc Peter and MJ still do not date. Glad there are no more oh my god.

[Maddsurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Mary Jane as the main character makes me nostalgic for the late 80s/early 90s Amazing Spider-Man, a book that struck a great balance between being a campy super-hero comic and an engaging domestic drama. Mary Jane was always my favorite love-interest for Peter: a woman who seemed at first glance to have it made but in reality worked her butt off for everything she had; a woman who, instead of silently suffering the lot of what is basically a cop's wife, constantly pushed back at Peter and kept the book really dynamic. While I love Dan Slott's current stuff, it's sad to see MJ marginalized and it's so much fun to see her in the driver's seat... especially with Terry Moore of Strangers in Paradise fame as the writer.

The story itself isn't terribly original or inspiring, but it's a good portrait of MJ (and Peter, and Harry, and Flash, and Liz) as a high school student. It deals with the social issues relevant to teens (MJ has a classmate who's made a nasty website about her) without being too dreary or after-school-specialy. What's fun is the journey; the little interactions these characters have. Simply put, Moore makes these kids adorable. My only complaint is that Moore himself didn't do the pencils, as his artistic style fits his style of storytelling, but Rousseau's art is great... if perhaps a bit too precious.

RIYL Strangers in Paradise or the more domestic side of Spider-Man.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the faltering result of some of Terry Moore's work beyond the rightly-acclaimed Strangers in Paradise (see: Runaways), I was hesitant about picking up the latest installment of Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane - especially with this being the first one not written by series creator Sean McKeever. I needn't have worried, however, as Terry picks up the fun and melodrama of high school life in equal measure, and the characterization is spot-on.

If you're a Terry Moore fan, or a SMLMJ fan, or just someone who appreciates the guilty pleasure of a high school melodrama with a slight genre twist ... be sure to pick this up.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This out-of-continuity series doesn't have much to do with Spidey at all. Instead, it follows MJ (much shyer than in the regular canon) and Peter (mostly MJ) into sophomore year at high school as she copes with friends, dates (or lack of) and cyber-bullying. Cute, though I don't think I'm quite the right audience for it.

[Diana Welsch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was...really not that good. Or maybe I'm just not into teen girl drama with a superhero written in as a sort of romantic foil. Mary Jane takes theatre class, works in a salon, has classmate drama, and...lets a teenage Spider-Man walk her home? Ehhhhhhh...not for me.

[Sophie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting to see the Spider-man story told in a different perspective. I'm not a huge fan of Mary Jane but I liked her voice in this book and it was interesting to see how she reacted to Spider-Man and Peter differently. It was a nice read and I liked it.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wish they'd stopped the series after the original artist and writer left, or at least not tried to start completely over.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terry Moore needs to step away from the pop culture references. Rico Suave? What kid today knows who that was?

[Anthony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Feh. I only read this series for McKeever's writng.

[Alsjem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice fun read that would appeal to girls of a certain (teen)age.

[Marley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Terry Moore but this book kinda disappointed. Not a lot of plot per se as opposed to the older ones, and I felt an awkward transition to the new writer.

[Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a departure from the norm (not that Norm, though he's in it). Peter Parker's schooldays as seen through the eyes of his not-yet-but-we-know-it-happens-later girlfriend Mary Jane.

[Nazary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like being back in high school but more fun

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me why I like comic books but not actiony at all so I'll find a different series to follow. Still cute.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars