Normally, I like a little more action in my comics. OK, I like a lot more action in my comics. Of course, then I have to justify purchasing this book, reading it, and reviewing it. Well, I'll admit, I was ready to let this one pass me by, except I saw that Craig Rousseau was on art chores. So I decided to give it a go. Mostly to make sure that I was aware of the potential comics reading that awaited my daughters, should they be so bold as to attempt to talk me into getting this for them.

I must admit, I am impressed with this issue. "Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane" is a comic book interpretation of the Spider-Man saga blended with "Smallville" sensibilities. Only now would we be treated to Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson text messaging their way through a day. That's not to say that Moore shies away from "traditional" methods of making the characters relatable. After all, we all remember actually passing notes in class, right?

"Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane" is geared towards a female reader, certainly, but by no means does it eliminate the male reader.

Flash Thompson, Harry Osborn, Liz Allen, Gwen Stacy -â€" they're all here. Oh yeah, so is Peter Parker. Moore does a nice job with the characters, presuming the reader has at least a passing understanding of this world and its inhabitants. My seven-year-old, whose main exposure to Spider-Man is through the current Kids WB! Show would have no problem identifying the characters on a cursory glance.

That said, Moore gives us a story that follows Mary Jane Watson through a day in her life, a life quite like any normal teenaged girl, and yet completely unlike them all. The book is full of what made Marvel unique in the 1960s â€" characters that are flawed and human, yet instantly relatable.

Rousseau's art doesn't hurt the cause at all. If anyone would have told me that this book would feature Craig Rousseau on art, my initial reaction would have been one of disbelief. Now, however, I cannot imagine anyone else stepping up to the task. Rousseau's experience shines through here as the characters are at once instantly recognizable and completely individual. The fact that this is a limited series gives me hope that Rousseau's art will be present in all five issues.

All told, this book holds together nicely and I anticipate that my eleven-year-old daughter will quite enjoy it. I know I sure did.