Recently on an episode of the Patreon-exclusive bonus podcast, the topic of whether or not Spider-Man should be allowed to settled down was discussed.
As you’re likely aware, there was a time where Peter Parker and Mary Jane got married. It was huge news, not just in the world of comic readers. Mainstream news reported about it as well. Eventually, Mary Jane even became pregnant. Peter was going to be a dad.
Then Marvel, through the magic of comic book writing, erased not only the baby but the marriage as well. The thought was readers wouldn’t relate to a married Spider-Man. Peter had to remain single.
At San Diego Comic-Con, I asked comic creators you often see on the weekly Amazing Art Picks posts — Todd Nauck, Dan Parent, Peter Nguyen, Art Baltazar & Franco, what they thought about Spider-Man settling down. They did not have any prep for the question. The camera was rolling and they had to answer, off the top of their minds.
At least today, we get a chance to see both directions. In the newly relaunched Ultimate Spider-Man, Peter and Mary Jane are married and have two kids, and then Peter gained spider-powers. In the main universe, MJ is dating some dud named Paul. No, that isn’t a typo with the ‘e’ missing. Paul seems to be despised by many readers.
What do you think? Would you rather read stories about Spider-Man being single/dating or does the idea of a hero who is also a family man sound appealing?
What the Heck is going on?!? 