MARVEL's MARY JANE DIGEST LEADS TO NEW ONGOING

**MattBrady** · 08-25-2005, 07:27 PM

Mary Jane: Homecoming Digest Prelude to New Mary Jane Ongoing

Press Release

The new Mary Jane Vol.2: Homecoming Digest is teen drama at its finest. The Mary Jane series have been garnering tremendous support from fans and critics, with Vol.1: Circle of Friends making it onto Entertainment Weekly’s Must List. Now look for that drama to continue this December as Mary Jane gets her own ongoing series, tentatively titled Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane.

“I'll tell ya, every time I sit down to write an MJ script it's a real delight, so for Marvel to commit to an ongoing series is just about the coolest thing,” says Eisner-award-winning writer Sean McKeever. “So now I'm back, and I get to work with Takeshi (Miyazawa) and Christina (Strain) again! They are among the best in the comic book-making business, hands down, and I'm geeked as can be to be working with them on an ongoing.”

“The folks at Marvel don't really have to publish comics about teenage drama, you know?” says McKeever. “They're doing pretty well for themselves with all the stuff that focuses on super heroics. So it means a lot to me that they're committed to Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane as an ongoing series, let alone putting it out there at all.”

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane will star Spider-Man’s “girlfriend,” Mary Jane Watson, and will chronicle her high school escapades and misadventures. As fans of the movies or comic series know, MJ is a big part of Spider-Man’s life.

“What you're gonna see in the first issue,” says McKeever, “is the direction I'd always intended to take after the Homecoming storyline, but since it's a new chapter in MJ's so-called life it'll be easy to dive into.”

“I'd say more about what I have planned, but, well, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who's waiting for the MJ Homecoming digest! That would just be mean.”

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane will also be making a grand introduction to the world of comics with a strong presence in newsstands as well as being available for subscription orders.

But before that happens, don’t forget Mary Jane Vol.2: Homecoming Digest. Homecoming can be one of the greatest times in a young girl’s life. Unfortunately for Mary Jane, it has turned into one huge disaster. In Mary Jane Vol.2: Homecoming Digest, Mary Jane’s relationships with her boyfriend Harry and her friends are stretched to their breaking point. Will she be able to make amends or is MJ going to Homecoming alone?

For compelling teen angst and high school romance in the mighty Marvel manner with a guest appearance or two by Spider-Man, don’t miss Mary Jane Vol.2: Homecoming Digest. Look for Mary Jane’s ongoing title to debut in December.

“To the fans, critics and retailers who've been with us from the beginning, I just want to give you all a big hug,” says McKeever. “Your support means a great deal to me and the rest of Team MJ!”

MARY JANE VOL. 2: HOMECOMING DIGEST (JUL051925)
Written by SEAN MCKEEVER
Pencils & Cover by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA
96 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP …$6.99
FOC – 8/25/05 On Sale – 9/21/05

Still available:
MARY JANE VOL. 1: CIRCLE OF FRIENDS DIGEST (AUG041828)
Written by SEAN MCKEEVER
Pencils & Cover by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA
96 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP …$6.99.

adamcasey · 08-25-2005, 07:33 PM

This is awesome news. Congratulations to all involved.

youbastards · 08-25-2005, 07:47 PM

Spider-Man loves weed???

Who'd a thunk it...

Tom Daylight · 08-25-2005, 08:00 PM

This is fantastic news! I've read the first digest and it's an excellent book, totally different from all of Marvel's output: a necessary addition to its line, and produced to the highest possible standard! Sean McKeever, Takeshi Miyazawa, Norman Lee and Christina Strain together make a perfect team and I eagerly look forward to seeing them reunite on this worthy series.

Why isn't it titled "Mary Jane loves Spider-Man"?

Kepler · 08-25-2005, 08:04 PM

Bill_Nolan · 08-25-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fetsur
Why isn't it titled "Mary Jane loves Spider-Man"?

This way it is racked near Spider-Man when comics are racked alphabetically.

- Bill

adamcasey · 08-25-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill_Nolan
This way it is racked near Spider-Man when comics are racked alphabetically.

- Bill

Or... stores could have just put it with the Spider-Man comics?

Mary Jane Loves Spider-Man is such a better title and a little more indictive of what the reader will be getting.

HBKShowstoppa · 08-25-2005, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adamcasey
Or... stores could have just put it with the Spider-Man comics?

Mary Jane Loves Spider-Man is such a better title and a little more indictive of what the reader will be getting.

I agree, but we all know some people would get mad because it would screw up their alphabatized boxes

adamcasey · 08-25-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HBKShowstoppa
I agree, but we all know some people would get mad because it would screw up their alphabatized boxes

Which is very interesting.

One would figure that a lot of the support for the Mary Jane digests came from bookstore sales to teenagers and young readers.

It'd be interesting if the digests are called Mary Janes Loves Spider-Man.

I picked up the first three issues of the series when it was originally an ongoing. I thought it had some nice comedic moments and I loved how her and Spider-Man only interacted occasionally. A slightly different art style, and putting the Spider-Man name on it, could lure more current readers in I suppose, but if ain't broke, why fix it?

Tom Daylight · 08-25-2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill_Nolan
This way it is racked near Spider-Man when comics are racked alphabetically.

- Bill

None of the other Spider-Man titles begin with "Spider-Man": Amazing, Friendly Neighbourhood, Ultimate...

Headhunter · 08-25-2005, 08:56 PM

Is this ever coming out as a regular trade? I dig Sean McKeever, but those digests flat out don't work for me.

Same reason I've held off Runaways...

adamcasey · 08-25-2005, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Headhunter
Is this ever coming out as a regular trade? I dig Sean McKeever, but those digests flat out don't work for me.

Same reason I've held off Runaways...

Don't let the digest size scare you away.

They're quite readable and not all that different than the full size comics. The speech bubble placement might be different to adjust for the smaller size, but that format is how I came to Runaways so I don't mind it.

Libby · 08-25-2005, 09:16 PM

I looooove Mary Jane, but that title is just awful. Ew. I hope this doesn't mean there's going to be more emphasis on Spiderman, because if this suddenly turns into a real superhero book, I'm sorry, but I won't be buying it anymore. I like Mary Jane because it's high school romance -- if it's just another superhero drama, what's the point?

bittermint · 08-25-2005, 09:16 PM

I loved the last two MJ miniseries. Can't wait to put the ongoing on my pull list.

I wish there'd been a comic like this way back when I was a teenager. I turned my two nieces on to it, and they love it too.

Gordon McAlpin · 08-25-2005, 09:22 PM

I love Takeshi Miyazawa's art (based on his Runaways fill-ins), but I haven't tried the digests out yet because, honestly, it just looks like a girl/romance comic book (with a little bit of superheroes thrown in). I don't mean that in a bad way in the slightest. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants might be a great film, but I'm not exactly its target audience, you know?

Is my gut instinct wrong here, boys? Or what's the big draw with this series?

g

adamcasey · 08-25-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gordon McAlpin
Is my gut instinct wrong here, boys? Or what's the big draw with this series?

At least from what I read of the first series, there are some nice 'wink wink' moments because we know that Spider-Man and Peter Parker are the same guy.

JMarsh642 · 08-25-2005, 09:42 PM

What a refreshing series! I have absolutely been enthralled by each issue of Mary Jane so far. (I had to read Mary Jane: Homecoming a second time before I could set it down.)

It's a wonderful new perspective on well known characters. I can't recommend it enough. I hope Spidey Loves MJ continues in digest format. I love those things!

Michael P · 08-25-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gordon McAlpin
I love Takeshi Miyazawa's art (based on his Runaways fill-ins), but I haven't tried the digests out yet because, honestly, it just looks like a girl/romance comic book (with a little bit of superheroes thrown in). I don't mean that in a bad way in the slightest. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants might be a great film, but I'm not exactly its target audience, you know?

Is my gut instinct wrong here, boys? Or what's the big draw with this series?

g

The big draw is that you're not the target audience. Which I don't mean as an insult. Marvel's intentionally trying for a completely different genre, tone and reader base with this book.

As for the title: Guys, "Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane." Which of those words was biggest on the cover?

TheCatalyst · 08-25-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fetsur
Why isn't it titled "Mary Jane loves Spider-Man"?

I've read the comments about how MJ Loves Spidey sounds better, or how it may be more eye-catching or easier to display with Spidey as the lead name in the title, ... but...

recalling back to my days in junior high and high school, I remember that it's customary to have the guy's name before the girl's name... as a wee lad of 14, I remember being scolded by some neighborhood girls when I signed off on a valentine to my sweetheart with her name preceeding mine. "The guy's name has to go first! That's just the way it is!" they told me. Don't know if this is universal, or just a Long Island / East Coast thing... you know, how east coasters call the game that kids play in the back seat of their parents' car "punch-buggy" and west coasters call it "slug-bug"... anyway...

So as far as the title of the series, it may just be following the tradition as opposed to being indicative of the content. Besides, with the MJ mini's being so popular as they are, it would be foolish to change to focus.

-richard-

innocentboy · 08-25-2005, 10:55 PM

this news makes me very happy.

Mary Jane ain't an edge of the seat book, it's not teeth grinding action, but it IS just a pure fun book.

have been loving Mary Jane from the start and glad Marvel is going monthly with it. it's just a fun book!

Fugu · 08-25-2005, 11:07 PM

Neat, an MJ ongoing!

I mean.. err... for my girlfriend of course... hehe. It's not like I read this sissy stuff...

sheesh

Why are people wondering why it's called Spider-Man loves Mary Jane? I think the strange thing is the picture that's in the article.

I mean, WTF? Why is MJ carrying Spidey? The whole world's gone topsy-turvey! (Gotta love that drop of sweat on Spidey's forehead, though

)

New Alfonso · 08-25-2005, 11:10 PM

Mary Jane! X-23! Arana! Amazing Fantasy! Spider-girl!

Let's face it: it's a great time to read about teenaged girls at Marvel!

Raphe Cheli · 08-25-2005, 11:26 PM

"Marvel's intentionally trying for a completely different genre, tone and reader base with this book."

You know, I think McKeever is trying to do that, but I don't think Marvel is. If they were really trying to do a completely different genre, Spider-Man wouldn't be involved as much as he will likely be (I mean, he's in the title, for cryin out loud!). Or, not involved at all.

I like what they're doing, but it frustrates me so much how they can't just do something because it might be a good story -- it has to be attached to an established super-hero. (And this is not just with Mary Jane -- too many of their super-hero relaunches have absolutely nothing to do with those heroes, but are merely a vehicle to try to get a little more sales -- which don't work; look at Warlock or Silver Surfer or countless other failed series.)

You'd think that the sales of this book were good in bookstores, because the individual issues didn't sell very well (which is a shame) -- so your audience is those people who want the digests, who buy them at book stores, who don't care as much about Spider-Man as they do about MJ.

Ben543250 · 08-25-2005, 11:28 PM

What a lame title. Kids at that age aren't even capable of true love!

Just kidding!!! Awesome news! I can't wait to read the new series, and I'll definitely be getting the new digest (even though I bought the issues)!

adamcasey · 08-25-2005, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheCatalyst
recalling back to my days in junior high and high school, I remember that it's customary to have the guy's name before the girl's name...

Joanie Loves Chachi?