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Mary Jane Watson is a fictional character created by Stan Lee, John Romita Sr. and Steve Ditko for Amazing Spider-Man comics. Mary Jane primarily appears as a friend and love interest for Spider-Man's secret identity, Peter Paker.
Comic Book History
Peter Parker was raised by his Aunt May Parker. Aunt May's best friend was Emma Watson who live next door. For years, Emma and May talked to Peter about Emma's niece Mary Jane. Both women were sure the two would hit it off if they ever met. Peter, who was socially awkward in high school anyway, envisioned Mary Jane as a "plain Jane", and always tried to put off or avoid the meeting. Finally, in the 25th issue of his comic, Peter met Mary Jane in the last panel. She was, of course, a beautiful and confident young woman.
"Face it, Tiger...," she said when she met him, "You just hit the jackpot!"
Originally, the Mary Jane character seemed to be a shallow flirt, the kind of girl that was always the life of the party. Despite her good looks, Peter was more interested in Gwen Stacey, daughter of a local police captain. Mary Jane dated others, including Peter's wealthy friend Harry Osborn, for whom she seemed to be much better suited.
Things changed when Gwen was murdered by Spider-man's arch nemesis, the Green Goblin. As time went on, Mart Jane and Peter grew closer, and each developed as characters. Eventually, she even figured out that he was Spider-man. She didn't let on that she knew for a while, hoping he would tell her himself.
Eventually, he did, and was very surprised that she was not surprised. The two were eventually married. At this point, Mary Jane had become a top fashion model, a job that would soon lead to her acting career. Years went by, and Spider-Man is invited to join the new Avengers by superhero Iron Man, who is actually millionaire Tony Stark. Mary Jane and Peter, plus his Aunt May, who was also in on the spider-secret by now, took up residence in Stark Tower, the Avenger's new headquarters.
Civil War
The events of the limited crossover series Civil War (Marvel Comics), turned the little family's life upside down. When Stark comes out in support of the Superhuman Registration Act, a law requiring the registration and federal licensure of superhumans, and reveals his Iron Man identity to the world, he soon convinces Peter to do the same. At a spectacular press confernce, Spider-Man reveals to the world that he is Peter Parker as a good faith effort in support of the act. This was a decision he soon regretted.
All super-powered people who don't register are now criminals, hauled off to a specially built prison in another dimension. Stark compels Spider-Man to participate arresting others in the super-human community who will not comply. Peter soon realizes he cannot continue to support the act. As much as he hates to betray Stark, he publicly pulls his support from the cause, and takes his family out of Stark Tower and goes underground. He soon joins Captain America, who with several like-minded heroes, have gone underground to resist the new law.
When Captain America is killed in a final battle, Peter again chooses to remain underground with many of the new Avengers. Peter, Mary Jane, and Aunt May are now in hiding, with no source of income, living under false names. With Spider-Man now labeled a criminal, and everyone knowing his real name, how can Spider-Man keep his family safe?
He can't. An assassin's bullet sent by one of Spider-Man's enemies finds Aunt May. Peter is launched into a spiral of fear and guilt. With Aunt May dying in a hospital under a false name and with no health insurance, Peter and Mary Jane find their world more darkened and desperate than ever.
Brand New Day
The creative Marvel Comics creators have come up with a way for Peter to get a fresh start. Labeling it a "Brand New Day" for Spider-Man, many fans have found it very controversial.
The powerful demon Mephisto finally gives Peter a way out. Mephisto is determined to have the Parkers sacrifice their love. The deal is, Mephisto will save Aunt May's life and make Spider-Man's identity a secret again. In return, Peter and Mary Jane give up their relationship, having no memory of their marriage or the romantic relationship as it developed in the years leading to their wedding. Peter is now an unmarried super-hero again, though no one knows his true identity. Peter and Mary Jane are leading separate lives, at least for the moment. Peter is living with his now healthy Aunt in Queens, while still working for the Daily Bugle. Will Peter and Mary Jane find each other again? Stay tuned!
Alternate Mary Janes
It took the Spider-Man creators years to put Mary Jane and Peter together as a couple. Would they do it differently if they had it to do again?
Kristen Dundst as Mary Jane.
It seems so. In the comic book Ultimate Spider-Man. where the Spider-Man story was begun again from the start in a separate continuity, as well as in the Spider-Man movie series, Mary Jane is portrayed as the girl next door that Peter has loved all his life. In these versions, Mary Jane has a troubling relationship with her abusive father, and lacks the confidence of her life-of-the-party comic book counterpart. Still, Mary Jane Watson is still played as Peter's true love and main romantic interest.
Portrayals
Kristen Dundst played Mary Jane Watson in the Spider-Man movie trilogy.
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