MattBrady
12-30-2002, 10:59 AM
For years faithful Spider-Man fans have been waiting for the reconciliation of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson Parker ... or if not reconciliation, at least a sense of closure to the estranged relationship.
The time has come for one of those paths to be chosen. February's AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50, by the fan-favorite and award-winning creative team of J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr., promises to finally reveal the eagerly-anticipated turning point in the lives of Marvel's first couple.
"Peter and MJ have been circling each other a lot lately, and there have been missed connections, misunderstandings, and tentative movements toward each other," said Straczynski of the special issue. "But as anyone who's ever been in a serious relationship knows, sooner or later you have to have 'The Conversation'. You have to decide, one way or another, once and for all, am I staying or am I going?"
Not only do Peter and Mary Jane finally say all the relationship things they've been waiting years to say and make that decision, they'll do it with the help of a very famous doctor ...
No, not Dr. Phil ... Doctor Doom makes a special guest appearance along with Captain America in a 22-page wall-to-wallcrawler action/adventure.
"Through a series of odd events, MJ and Peter find themselves finally in the same place, at the same time, to have that conversation," continued Straczynski. "Except that it's a public place, and there's danger all around them, and they have to somehow balance out between the action surrounding them, and the inner turmoil of their hearts, which is emblematic of the problems they've had from day one. The necessity of Spider-Man and his world always has cut into their relationship, and we highlight this here to throw both elements into stark relief.
"Because part of what being Spider-Man means, is denying MJ in public and in his Spider-Man persona. There's one point where, after Captain America has made his appearance, and Spider-Man meets him, with MJ again in the background, that she says, 'And here's another thing; you never introduce me to any of your friends.' It may seem a silly and funny point because - well, on level it is a silly and funny point - but at the same time, it speaks to a relationship where one side has been frozen out of a very important part of the other person's life.
"The question is, can their common ground survive the distance that his lifestyle must put between them? Or is the title of the story, 'Doomed Affairs', to be their fate?"
"Does absence really make the heart grow fonder?" asks editor Axel Alonso. "It's been two years since MJ walked out of Peter's life. Can she fit Peter back into her life? Can he do the same? Find out it one of the most anticipated stories of the year.
"Peter and MJ's relationship has always had its periodic ... distractions," added Alonso. "Why should this story be any different?"
Although readers will have to wait for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50 for the answers, the following one-page preview excerpt from Straczynski's script gives readers a sense of the pivotal questions being asked.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50, a perfect jumping-on point for new readers, goes on sale February 19th and retailers are reminded its Initial Order Cut-off date is 12/31.
PAGE ELEVEN
PANEL ONE
Closer on the two of them.
MJ: No, seriously. Over the years, there are times I've felt more like your mistress than your wife because when you're...on the job...you have to deny knowing me. You'll walk right past me. You won't even meet my eyes.
SPIDER-MAN: Look at my mask, MJ, I don't HAVE any eyes --
MJ: Don't quibble. You know what I'm talking about.
PANEL TWO
Another angle on the conversation.
MJ: I know you do it to protect me. I know it's necessary. But there's what the mind knows and what the heart feels.
PANEL THREE
Close on MJ in some distress.
MJ: I've never wanted or expected you to set me above what you do. I know why you do it, and I'd never try to interfere with that.
(second balloon)
What I haven't been able to work out is where I fit in with it all. I want to work it out, Peter, I really do. I just...don't know how.
PANEL FOUR
Now favoring Spidey.
SPIDER-MAN: You fit in because I love you. Isn't that enough?
PANEL FIVE
On MJ considering this, then --
PANEL SIX
She looks away.
MJ: No. No, it's not. Too often, "I love you" is something people say when they want to get something out of you, or control you. It doesn't HAVE to mean that, but --
SPIDER-MAN: But MJ, what's left?
MJ: That's what I'm --
The time has come for one of those paths to be chosen. February's AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50, by the fan-favorite and award-winning creative team of J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr., promises to finally reveal the eagerly-anticipated turning point in the lives of Marvel's first couple.
"Peter and MJ have been circling each other a lot lately, and there have been missed connections, misunderstandings, and tentative movements toward each other," said Straczynski of the special issue. "But as anyone who's ever been in a serious relationship knows, sooner or later you have to have 'The Conversation'. You have to decide, one way or another, once and for all, am I staying or am I going?"
Not only do Peter and Mary Jane finally say all the relationship things they've been waiting years to say and make that decision, they'll do it with the help of a very famous doctor ...
No, not Dr. Phil ... Doctor Doom makes a special guest appearance along with Captain America in a 22-page wall-to-wallcrawler action/adventure.
"Through a series of odd events, MJ and Peter find themselves finally in the same place, at the same time, to have that conversation," continued Straczynski. "Except that it's a public place, and there's danger all around them, and they have to somehow balance out between the action surrounding them, and the inner turmoil of their hearts, which is emblematic of the problems they've had from day one. The necessity of Spider-Man and his world always has cut into their relationship, and we highlight this here to throw both elements into stark relief.
"Because part of what being Spider-Man means, is denying MJ in public and in his Spider-Man persona. There's one point where, after Captain America has made his appearance, and Spider-Man meets him, with MJ again in the background, that she says, 'And here's another thing; you never introduce me to any of your friends.' It may seem a silly and funny point because - well, on level it is a silly and funny point - but at the same time, it speaks to a relationship where one side has been frozen out of a very important part of the other person's life.
"The question is, can their common ground survive the distance that his lifestyle must put between them? Or is the title of the story, 'Doomed Affairs', to be their fate?"
"Does absence really make the heart grow fonder?" asks editor Axel Alonso. "It's been two years since MJ walked out of Peter's life. Can she fit Peter back into her life? Can he do the same? Find out it one of the most anticipated stories of the year.
"Peter and MJ's relationship has always had its periodic ... distractions," added Alonso. "Why should this story be any different?"
Although readers will have to wait for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50 for the answers, the following one-page preview excerpt from Straczynski's script gives readers a sense of the pivotal questions being asked.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50, a perfect jumping-on point for new readers, goes on sale February 19th and retailers are reminded its Initial Order Cut-off date is 12/31.
PAGE ELEVEN
PANEL ONE
Closer on the two of them.
MJ: No, seriously. Over the years, there are times I've felt more like your mistress than your wife because when you're...on the job...you have to deny knowing me. You'll walk right past me. You won't even meet my eyes.
SPIDER-MAN: Look at my mask, MJ, I don't HAVE any eyes --
MJ: Don't quibble. You know what I'm talking about.
PANEL TWO
Another angle on the conversation.
MJ: I know you do it to protect me. I know it's necessary. But there's what the mind knows and what the heart feels.
PANEL THREE
Close on MJ in some distress.
MJ: I've never wanted or expected you to set me above what you do. I know why you do it, and I'd never try to interfere with that.
(second balloon)
What I haven't been able to work out is where I fit in with it all. I want to work it out, Peter, I really do. I just...don't know how.
PANEL FOUR
Now favoring Spidey.
SPIDER-MAN: You fit in because I love you. Isn't that enough?
PANEL FIVE
On MJ considering this, then --
PANEL SIX
She looks away.
MJ: No. No, it's not. Too often, "I love you" is something people say when they want to get something out of you, or control you. It doesn't HAVE to mean that, but --
SPIDER-MAN: But MJ, what's left?
MJ: That's what I'm --