Skip to main content

Famous Last Panel

Last week I picked up Amazing Spider-Man #42. It isn't in perfect condition but it is all one in piece and still readable. Cost me under $16 and I could care less about near mint condition when it comes to silver age Spidey.

In this issue, the main story involves John Jameson getting super powers and taking on Spider-Man. Now as much as I love a good old fashioned slug fest, that isn't really the reason I picked up this issue. In fact, ASM #42 is largely remembered for its very final panel. A certain redhead, who Peter had been dreading a date with finally enters his world. That's right, I'm talking about Mary Jane Watson.

The girl that would nickname Peter "Tiger" was first mentioned in ASM #15. Her name was first dropped in ASM# 17 and in ASM #25, Liz Allen and Betty Brant get a look at little miss bombshell while Peter is off fighting the first incarnation of the Spider Slayers. Her face isn't show to the readers but what Liz and Betty see is enough to make their jaws drop.

Peter did everything he could to avoid meeting MJ. Aunt May meant well, but when your mother or aunt tries to set you up on a blind date, an imagine similar to the atomic bomb being dropped is more than likely what goes off in a guy's head. Peter was ready for the worst but as it turns out, having Peter meet MJ was the best thing aunt May ever did for her nephew. The following panel is one of the most famous in comic book history as is MJ's very first words towards Peter.
This panel has been replicated God only knows how many times. Sketched, painted, you name it, it has been done. MJ didn't just turn out to be another girl for Peter. She was the girl. Peter would later go on to marry her... right? He did marry MJ, didn't he? I mean, I've got the annual where Peter and MJ tied the knot and everything. Eh, its a long story.

My favorite redhead has taken a lot of crap and her marriage to my favorite super hero has been blamed for hurting the Spider books. I'm not sure Marvel fully realizes Mary Jane's impact and staying power in the Spidey books. Every attempt to writer her out has failed and I highly doubt any other love interest they throw in there will work. MJ is to the Spider books what Lois Lane is to Superman books. Marvel will never be rid of her no matter how hard they try.

Comments

Tommy said…
All of which is why the sooner you find Spider-Girl #10 - 11, the better!

Heck, they both still need a review as it is.

A brief bit of info. for ya...

It involves Mayday going to the past, but not necessarily the past of the MC2 reality. A character named Spyral is from a different reality, and his dialogue indicates he is from the Prime reality, but from the future of it.

Anyhoo, the past point she and Spyral land in is when the 1st Spider-Slayer appeared...and she meets a certain someone (well several someones).
May 13, 2008 at 4:29 AM
Reggie White Jr. said…
Those will probably be some pretty tough issues to find. Since new comics come in tomorrow, I'll be picking up more Spider-Girl.
May 13, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Sol (Frederick) Badguy said…
It was fun to see John Jameson evolve because of the spores, how his old man reacted and how John's motive to catch Spider-Man changed in a way that scared his father.

I love that Spider-Girl arc you talked about Tommy
May 21, 2008 at 2:58 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Composer Shout Out: Yuji Ohno

For my money, one of the best composers in the music business would have to be Yuji Ohno. This guys is mostly known for his work on just about anything that has to do with Lupin III. After the last few weeks, it's hard for me not to think of Ohno's compositions when Lupin comes to mind. (I've been listening to his various albums to get my jazz fix.) Ohno's works are primarily jazz-inspired and even some of his earliest efforts on Lupin music in the '70s is still considered extraordinary. Not only has he covered music for the various Lupin series and movies, he's also done music for all three PS2 Lupin games. The man is also an accomplished musical genius even when he isn't working on music for Lupin. Tokyo City Lights is a jazz masterpiece. If you want to hear some of Ohno's work, just check out this YouTube pag e with various uploads.
Post a Comment
Read more

R.I.P Mickey Mouse

In case you haven't heard , Wayne Allwine, the voice actor of Mickey Mouse passed away at the age of 62. He had been voice the world's most famous mouse since 1977. The original voice actor for Mickey was Walt Disney himself. Allwine's imitation of Disney's voice was spot on. Most of the the Mickey Mouse cartoons I've seen were voiced by Allwine. 'Tis a sad day in cartoon history. R.I.P, Wayne Allwine.
3 comments
Read more

Justice League: Doom

Watching DVDs on the computer is nice but sometimes it's better to watch them on TV. So after some thinking, I decided to get myself a new DVD player. This one is by Sony and it only set me back $40. Why didn't I get a Blu-Ray player? Because I'm not 100% sold on them. Besides, I hear the PS3 is a good Blu-Ray player as opposed to the PS2's DVD playback functionality, which was crap. When I get a PS3, I'll have Blu-Ray, so I can wait. And yet, when I bought my new DVD player, I picked up my first Blu-Ray movie. Well it came with Blu-Ray and DVD. Justice League: Doom is the latest DC Universe animated film. How prepared is Batman? Prepared to take down his own teammates, if it becomes necessary. Based off the Justice League of America: Tower of Babel story written by Mark Waid, JL: Doom explores Batman's paranoid nature. Batman has taken measures to stop each member of the Justice League should they ever go rouge or sub-come to mind control from ...
2 comments
Read more