Marvel Comics often emphasizes the personal struggles of its heroes, and for Peter Parker, his life as a person is just as important as his adventures as Spider-Man. Throughout the years, Peter hasn’t had much luck with romance – his girlfriends have often faced tragedy, trauma, or heartbreak, sometimes because of his secret identity. Despite this, Peter has shared meaningful connections with several women who positively impacted him, helping him grow as both a person and a hero, even if those relationships didn’t last.
From his greatest love to those who broke his heart, and the supportive women who still stand by his side, here’s a look at Spider-Man’s most memorable girlfriends in Marvel Comics.
10) Debra Whitman
Debra Whitman is often considered one of Peter Parker’s most problematic relationships in the Spider-Man comics. She met Peter while working as a secretary at Empire State University. Debra struggled with a mental health condition that caused her to strongly idealize others, and she became convinced that Peter was actually Spider-Man. In an attempt to help her, her psychiatrist asked Peter to briefly wear the Spider-Man costume, which successfully helped her regain her bearings and eventually led her to leave New York and rebuild her life. However, the storyline has been criticized for potentially trivializing mental illness and is considered a poor representation of the condition. Years later, Debra reappeared, having written a book blaming Spider-Man for the problems in her life.
9) Jill Stacy
Peter Parker’s relationship with Jill Stacy was a complicated one he probably should have steered clear of. Jill was the cousin of Gwen Stacy, Peter’s first love, who tragically died in a fight with Green Goblin. Despite this connection, Peter started dating Jill after he thought his wife, Mary Jane Watson, had passed away. While their relationship wasn’t a disaster, it was brief, and Jill ended things once they discovered Mary Jane was actually still alive.
8) Lian Tang
Lian Tang and Peter Parker dated while Peter was running his company, Parker Industries, after getting his body back from Doctor Octopus. Their relationship had a significant problem: Lian worked for Peter, and he kept his identity as Spider-Man a secret from her, unknowingly putting her in a difficult position. The relationship ended when Lian tried to kill Spider-Man – she was manipulated by a criminal group who promised to help her mother, who was battling cancer. Despite the attempt on his life, Peter showed compassion by not pressing charges and offering to cover the costs of her mother’s treatment, but ultimately, the trust was broken and they went their separate ways.
7) Carol Danvers
Spider-Man has had romantic relationships with some well-known superheroes, including Mockingbird and Carol Danvers, and thankfully, both ended amicably. His relationship with Carol Danvers was particularly surprising, as Peter Parker often dated people he considered to be out of his league, but it represented a significant step for him. They went on a date depicted in *Ms. Marvel* #47, which, despite being interrupted, was a success. Later, during the *Siege* event, Carol revealed she still had feelings for Peter, even while under the influence of Venom, admitting the situation was complicated.
6) Betty Brant
Many fans overlook the early connection between Peter Parker and Betty Brant, but she was actually Peter’s first romantic interest in the Marvel comics universe. Their relationship was complicated, though, because Betty worked for Peter’s boss, J. Jonah Jameson, and Peter was still in high school. Spider-Man first had to save Betty (along with Aunt May) in *Amazing Spider-Man Annual* #1. While they briefly dated, they split up after the death of Betty’s brother, and she wrongly blamed Spider-Man. She even tried to make Peter jealous by dating Ned Leeds, and eventually ended up marrying him.
5) Carlie Cooper
Carlie Cooper unfairly received a lot of fan backlash due to being Peter Parker’s girlfriend after a controversial storyline change in Spider-Man’s history. This change happened because Peter and Mary Jane made a deal with the villain Mephisto to save Aunt May, which resulted in their marriage being erased from existence. When Peter woke up, he found that he and MJ had never been married and was now dating Carlie, a police forensic scientist. Despite the negative reaction from fans, Carlie was a supportive girlfriend to Peter and a good friend to Harry Osborn during a difficult time with his alcoholism. Ultimately, she ended the relationship after discovering Peter was Spider-Man.
4) Shay Marken
Shay Marken is a nurse at Ravencroft who cares for patients and helps them recover. She first appeared in Marvel comics in 2024 and is currently dating Peter Parker. Their relationship has faced challenges, as Shay felt hurt when Peter would secretly leave to fight crime as Spider-Man. Things became especially complicated when she and Peter had a double date with Mary Jane Watson and Paul Rabin. As a psychologist, Shay is concerned about Peter and has made an effort to understand their issues, even talking to Aunt May about their relationship.
3) Gwen Stacy
Though Peter Parker initially dated Betty Brant, Gwen Stacy was his first real love and a defining tragedy in his life. They met through a mutual friend, Harry Osborn, and their relationship blossomed alongside Harry’s dating of Mary Jane. Despite the conflict created by Gwen’s father – a police captain determined to capture Spider-Man – Peter and Gwen formed a strong and loving connection. Sadly, their happiness was shattered when the Green Goblin threw Gwen off a bridge. Spider-Man attempted to save her, but she tragically died from the fall. Along with the death of Uncle Ben, Gwen’s loss deeply haunted Spider-Man for the rest of his life.
2) Black Cat
Spider-Man fans generally prefer him with Mary Jane Watson, but Black Cat is a popular exception. Many believe Black Cat has a deeper connection with Spider-Man than any other love interest. They’ve had a relationship multiple times, and their adventures are often among the most exciting Spider-Man stories. Recently, Black Cat even worked with Mary Jane to rescue Spider-Man, highlighting that both women are incredibly important to him. While Black Cat might be Spider-Man’s greatest love, when it comes to Peter Parker as a person, the answer is different.
1) Mary Jane Watson
Many fans believe Mary Jane Watson is Peter Parker’s true love, more so than anyone else, including Black Cat. Readers haven’t embraced other romantic interests for Peter, like Carlie or Shay. Peter and Mary Jane’s wedding was a landmark event in Marvel Comics, and their relationship, with all its ups and downs, felt realistic. However, Marvel’s decision to end their marriage in the *One More Day* storyline was deeply unpopular. Even after years apart, fans continue to hope for a reconciliation, and Marvel faces ongoing criticism as long as they remain separated.
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2025-09-14 23:20