10 Comics You Need to Read If You Miss Spider-Man and MJ’s Relationship

The relationship between Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson is one of the most iconic romances in comics, not just Marvel’s. Unfortunately, the two have been apart since the controversial Spider-Man: One More Day, which erased their marriage, something that Marvel has been insistent on keeping undone ever since. Nevertheless, fans still love the pairing, and several classic comic booksexplore their relationship.

Many of the best Spider-Man comic books at least have Spidey and MJ in a relationship, if not married. They showcase how their romance helped Peter grow as a character, which is one reason why fans resent him and MJ being driven apart. Regardless of current comic book continuity, several past and even present books show exactly why the two are one of Marvel’s best couples long after they were forcibly torn apart.

10 Torment Was a Horror Story That Briefly Touched Upon Spidey and MJ’s Marriage

Spider-Man #1-5 by Todd McFarlane

Gaining immense popularity on the Amazing Spider-Man comic book, artist Todd McFarlane later launched a new series titled Spider-Man. The first story arc was “Torment,” which was far more horrifying a tale than the Web-Slinger was used to being in. Setting the stage for the tone of McFarlane’s later Spawn comic book, the series also briefly reflected the change in Spidey’s status quo.

“Torment” sees Spider-Man attacked by a mindless version of The Lizard and Calypso, the voodoo priestess lover of the dead Kraven the Hunter. While Spidey fought for his life, Mary Jane Watson was worried sick about her husband, trying to console herself given the life she had come to live. In some ways, it reflected her former days as a party girl but still showed the new core of the Spider-Man comic books. Thus, those wanting to glimpse these changes while seeing Spider-Man in a deadly new situation should check the book out.

9 The Amazing Spider-Girl Fixed the Clone Saga’s Worst Mistake

Spider-Girl #1-30 by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz

The infamous “Clone Saga” had many controversial elements, but one of the worst was Peter and MJ’s baby daughter being taken away and never heard from again. This was changed in an issue of What If?, which was built upon in the Spider-Girl monthly comic book. The series was set in an alternate future in which Peter and Mary Jane raised a teenage daughter named May (after Peter’s deceased aunt), who soon developed her own powers.

Spider-Girl focuses on May “Mayday” Parker, but she’s, in many ways, the fruition of Peter and MJ’s love. Mary Jane had wanted Peter to give up the life of Spider-Man to protect his family differently, with Spider-Man’s “disappearance” and Spider-Girl’s debut showing both sides. MJ and Peter can be shown as an older married couple, and those who love to see them together will get a kick out of this incarnation of them.

The Amazing Spider-Man #400 by J.M. DeMatteis and Mark Bagley

Part of the infamous “Clone Saga,” The Amazing Spider-Man #400 was actually one of the notorious storyline’s best issues. It featured the death of Aunt May, who passed away of old age after a long life of being there for her nephew and others. Before dying, she reminisced about her life with Peter and the new life he was starting with Mary Jane. Most importantly, she revealed that she knew he was Spider-Man, a fact that he had kept hidden from her for years.

While Aunt May is the issue’s main focus, Mary Jane’s marriage to Peter is also a big part of the story. As one door closes for the Parker family, another opens, as Mary Jane was pregnant at the time. This showcased just how important Mary Jane had become, as Peter’s mother figure was now (at the time) gone for good.

7 The New Ultimate Spider-Man Showcases a Married Peter and MJ

Ultimate Spider-Man #1-Present by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Chechetto

Marvel’s new version of the Ultimate Universe is decidedly different from the first and mainstream versions. In the case of the Web-Slinger, Peter Parker is an adult man who’s already married to Mary Jane and has two children with her before he becomes Spider-Man. This gives their relationship a different dynamic, especially since she soon learns about his secret identity.

Ultimate Spider-Man is a borderline apology for Spidey and MJ being unmarried in the main continuity, especially since they’re treated like an actual adult married couple. The two take on different situations together, and it’s so different from most of their usual depictions. Their world is highly altered from the usual Marvel Universe, but the love between the two remains the same in the new timeline. It helps that MJ’s success as a model is the crux of the Parker family’s success, making everything different – yet familiar – in this incarnation.

6 Renew Your Vows Explored the Potential of the Spider-Family

The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1-5 by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert

While Marvel has yet to undo the damage made by Spider-Man: One More Day, there have been alternate universe books since then that have Mary Jane and Spider-Man still married. Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows was set in a world where Peter and MJ were married with a daughter named Anna-May Parker (after both of their aunts), and the family soon embarked on all kinds of adventures. Spinning out of the events of the 2015 Secret Wars, the series made Spider-Man’s loved ones into a family in more ways than one.

Renew Your Vows had Mary Jane and Annie become Spinneret and Spiderling, who fought crime alongside Spider-Man. This was a more than welcome consolation for fans who wanted the spider-marriage restored. More than ever, MJ understood what Peter had experienced for years beforehand, making their love stronger and having them switch places, in a way. The subsequent volume had Annie growing up even more, giving fans the development for these characters they were denied in the mainstream universe.

5 The Lost Hunt Gave a Glimpse at How Things Could Have Been

Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt #1-5 by J.M. DeMatteis and Eder Messias

Set during the “Ben Reilly Saga” chapters of the Clone Saga, Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt is, to some extent, a sequel to Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt. While the crux of the story is to follow said classic, it also focuses on Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship. At the time, Peter had lost his powers, and he and MJ wereset to move to Portland. Unfortunately, an ally of an old enemy set out to ruin their newfound happiness.

The Lost Hunt is an excellent look at a truly domestic Peter and MJ, with neither having to worry about Peter’s double life as Spider-Man. Even though his past still haunted him in a way, Peter was desperate to start something new with his wife. The same was true for Mary Jane, who stood by her husband more than ever. Even when all hope seems lost, Mary Jane refuses to give up on the couple’s planned life, showing why the two are truly meant to be together.

4 Spider-Man: Blue Focused on Two of Peter’s Loves

Spider-Man: Blue #1-6 by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale

One of the many color books by the duo, Spider-Man: Blue was perhaps the best collaboration between Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. The story is set when Peter and MJ were married, long after the death of Peter’s first love, Gwen Stacy. Reminiscing about her tragic death and their love for each other, Peter looks back on those more innocent days with bittersweet grief. Likewise, his wife stands by his memories and notes how she was also Gwen’s friend before her death.

Though his former romance with Gwen is the focus in Spider-Man: Blue, the story still cements Mary Jane as Peter’s one true love. In the end, she understands Peter’s prolonged mourning for their former friend. Ultimately, this relationship is given an almost dream-like status of something that could have been but was never truly meant to be. Mary Jane was destined to stand beside him, and while Gwen was a beloved memory, MJ is Peter’s beloved destiny.

3 Spider-Man ❤️ Mary Jane Is a Marvel Manga Romance

Spider-Man Loves Mary Janes #1-20 by Sean McKeever, Takeshi Miyazawa and David Hahn

While the romance between Spider-Man and Mary Jane is historically a major part of Spider-Man comic books, it’s never been focused on like it was in Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. A manga-style series that portrayed the two as young lovers in high school, the series focused more on romance than superheroics. As a result, fans saw Spidey in an entirely different light.

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane reimagined many Marvel characters, with Jessica Jones even appearing as a punk goth student. Fans of romance and shojo manga would get a kick out of the series, especially if they’re usually weary of superhero stories. Likewise, readers who can’t get enough of Marvel’s best romance can finally see it from somewhat younger eyes, showcasing how different Spider-Man and Mary Jane’s relationship might have been if they met earlier.

2 Life Story Retold Spider-Man’s Entire Life

Spider-Man: Life Story #1-6 by Chip Zdarsky and Mark Bagley

Spider-Man: Life Story retold Spidey’s life without the sliding timescale of comic books, seeing him and his supporting age in real-time. As in the mainstream universe, Peter Parker ends up with Mary Jane instead of Gwen Stacy. For a time, the Parkers are separated in Life Story, with Peterestranged from his wife and even having an affair with Jessica Jones. Thankfully, things return to normal due to the presence of the interdimensional hunter, Morlun.

Life Story sees Peter and MJ arguing throughout the years, with the changes in life tearing them apart and bringing them together. Ultimately, the tumult surrounding them is never stronger than their love, and Peter ends up doing anything to be with his wife and family. The story ends with Peter hanging up the costume and retiring it for the next generation to use as he and Mary Jane live happily ever after.

1 To Have and To Hold Is the Ultimate MJ/Peter Story

Sensation Spider-Man Annual #1 by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca

The late 2000s ended Peter and Mary Jane’s marriage, but several must-read comics were still based on their romance. The storyline “To Have and To Hold” had Mary Jane presented with an offer by an old lover, and the result could free her from a major predicament, at the cost of her marriage to Peter. All the while, Peter does everything to protect her and Aunt May, even at the risk of his own life.

“To Have and To Hold” has Peter and Mary Jane sacrificing everything for each other at every step, and the two fiercely and unabashedly choose each other at the end of the day. It’s the ultimate declaration of their love; in some ways, it’s the anti-“One More Day.” Many fans still return to the story because it cemented the couple as a great match, and those who wish to remember better days in the mainstream Spider-Man comics need not look any further.