Peter Parker initially used every excuse he could think of to avoid meeting Mary Jane Watson. For 27 issues, he successfully dodged the girl next door, until the end of Amazing Spider-Man #42. In a panel that would be recreated in Spider-Man comics for decades to come, Mary Jane makes her first full appearance with the famous line: "Face it, tiger, you just hit the jackpot."
From that moment on, Mary Jane was entangled in the crazy web of Spider-Man's life. She's become one of the most popular and recognizable characters in Marvel Comics, starring in several of her own comic book series. If fans look to Marvel's multiverse, they'll find many fascinating versions of MJ, including some who've developed superpowers themselves.
10 Mary Jane Became A Successful Actor During House Of M
In 2005, the Scarlet Witch altered the state of the entire Marvel universe when she manipulated reality to resurrect her children in House of M. Though her motives were initially selfish, the world that Wanda Maximoff created was considered perfect by many. Popular Marvel heroes and villains the lived lives they always dreamed of.
Peter married Gwen Stacy and the two had a son named Richie, and Mary Jane became a famous film actor who starred in movies about Spider-Man. Even though MJ was not a mutant herself, her popularity earned her positive recognition and praise from the mutant community.
9 Mary Jane Bonded With The Carnage Symbiote on Earth-65
Earth-65 was first introduced in Edge of Spider-Verse #2, a limited series connected to the larger Spider-Verse event. An alternate version of Gwen Stacy, who developed spider-powers of her own, became Spider-Woman in this universe. Gwen was the drummer for the Mary Janes, a band formed by Mary Jane Watson.
The MJ of Earth-65 was dedicated to the success of her band. Her devotion caused friction between her and Gwen, especially after discovering Gwen was Spider-Woman. Their feud reached a boiling point when MJ was taken over by the Carnage symbiote. Under the control of Knull, the creator of the symbiotes, MJ's Carnage sought to prove she was the superior musician.
8 Mary Jane Raised Spider-Girl In The MC2 Universe
The MC2, first introduced in What If? #105, explored a possible future in the Marvel universe. This future, unlike many depicted in comics, was bright and hopeful. Mayday Parker, the daughter of Peter and MJ, was the star of this universe. MJ led a successful life as a fashion designer and mother to Mayday and baby Benjamin.
Mayday made her return during the original Spider-Verse event. Daeomos, one of the Inheritors hunting Spider-Totems, attacked the Parker family. MJ and an injured Peter distracted Daeomos long enough for Mayday and her baby brother to escape. MJ miraculously survived the encounter, but Peter, unfortunately, did not.
7 Life Story Explored The Full Lives Of Peter & MJ
Spider-Man: Life Story, written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by legendary artist Mark Bagley, presented new versions of classic Spidey stories. The Death of Gwen Stacy, the Clone Saga, and even the Superior Spider-Man era were all adapted in a story that explored the world of Spider-Man as if the characters aged naturally through the years.
In this reality, Peter and Mary Jane married after Gwen, Peter's first wife, died. The couple gave birth to two kids, Claire and Benjy, who also had spider powers. Life Story's Peter and MJ experienced a rocky marriage that forced them to separate for many years, but they ultimately rekindled their relationship right before Peter sacrificed himself to save the world.
6 Mary Jane Starred In Her Own Comic Book Series
Mary Jane, written by Sean McKeever and illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa, was a comic series published by Marvel in 2004. The book lasted four issues but was followed up by two sequels: Mary Jane: Homecoming and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane.
While the series featured many classic Spider-Man characters, the events of the book take place in a different continuity. The book's art style was colorful, energetic, and expressive, and the narratives revolved more around Mary Jane's social life and romantic struggles in high school. It was interesting to read about Midtown High through the eyes of someone other than Peter.
5 Mary Jane Became Spider-Woman In Exiles
An alternate version of Mary Jane developed spider-powers and became Spider-Woman, donning a costume very similar to Spider-Man's. This version of Mary Jane existed in a harsh reality where most superheroes died after being exposed to a deadly plague.
MJ's Spider-Woman first appeared in Exiles #20 when the universe-hopping team ventured into her world. Sunfire, a member of the Exiles team, fell in love with MJ, and the two women shared a relationship for a few weeks before the Exiles were transported to another universe. This Mary Jane is believed to have been killed during the Spider-Verse event.
4 Ultimate MJ Was Peter's Greatest Ally
Ultimate Spider-Man adapted classic stories like the Clone Saga and altered some characteristics of key heroes and villains like Norman Osborn, Venom, and even Mary Jane Watson. While the Mary Janes of the 616 universe and Ultimate universe are different, they share many similarities.
Ultimate MJ, like her 616 counterpart, dated Peter Parker and knew he was Spider-Man. Ultimate MJ was much more involved in Peter's life from the beginning of the series, and while she possessed no superpowers, her encouragement and bravery made her Peter's greatest ally, in and out of costume.
3 MJ Has Saved Spider-Man Multiple Times Post-Brand New Day
After Spider-Man revealed his identity to the world in Civil War, Peter Parker's loved ones became targets. In order to save Aunt May's life, Peter and MJ made a deal with Mephisto. May's life was saved, but Peter and MJ's marriage was erased from reality, and they retained no memories of the time they were married.
Fans weren't too pleased with the erasure of several decades of character development, but despite the losses, Mary Jane remained an incredibly strong character who continued to play an active role in Peter's life. During "Spider-Island" and "Worldwide," MJ gained spider-powers, or suited up in the old Iron Spider suit, to aid Spider-Man.
2 The Spider-Family Was Born In Renew Your Vows
During the events of the second Secret Wars, Doctor Doom created Battleworld, a reality that housed fragments of alternate universes. One of these realities explored a future where Peter and Mary Jane's marriage remained intact. The two had a daughter named Annie who developed spider-powers like her father.
In this reality, superheroes became outlawed, and after Peter was forced to reveal himself as Spider-Man, he sparked a resurgence of superpowered individuals. The story of this Parker family continued in a second volume of Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows where Peter has become Spider-Man once again, this time, fighting alongside his daughter and Mary Jane, who has been outfitted in a suit that gives her some of Spider-Man's abilities.
1 The Original Mary Jane Watson Has Seen The Best & Worst Of Spider-Man
The original Mary Jane Watson was easily one of the best versions of the character. Though she began as a shallow character who was mostly concerned with her public image, tragic events like Gwen Stacy's death or Harry Osborn's descent into Goblinhood matured Peter and MJ.
As the pair matured, they developed a stronger relationship that was shaken and tested at every turn. Mary Jane survived haunting attacks from Venom, she endured the mind-bending era of the Clone Saga, and even after some marital trouble in J. Michael Straczynski's creative run, MJ stood by Peter, encouraged him to fight on, and faced Spider-Man's hardships right alongside him.