Is Marvel’s Most-Hated Relationship Actually Over For Good?

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The latest incarnation of Venom faced an uphill battle ahead due to its resurgence in the mid to late 2010s, largely thanks to writer Donny Cates and artist Ryan Stegman. Symbiotes, particularly Venom, experienced a surge in popularity with events like Absolute Carnage and The King in Black. However, despite the presence of talented writers such as Al Ewing and Ram V on symbiote-related books, Venom’s popularity has waned since Cates left.

In All-New Venom, writer Al Ewing and artist Carlos Gomez have taken the character in a new direction, inheriting the complex dynamic between Mary Jane Watson and Paul Rabin, which created turmoil during Zeb Wells’s run on The Amazing Spider-Man. Ewing found himself walking a tightrope: fans admire his work but dislike Paul.

Issue #9 of All-New Venom is crucial because it finally brings an end to the tumultuous relationship between Mary Jane and Paul, a development that fans have eagerly awaited due to their mixed feelings towards this couple.

A Must-Read Ninth Issue of All-New Venom”

This ninth issue of All-New Venom offers an engaging read, with intriguing fight scenes and plot advancements. However, the climax where Mary Jane ends her relationship with Paul is what’s generating significant excitement among fans due to their strong dislike for Paul. Interestingly, even the artist of All-New Venom, Carlos Gomez, shares this disdain for Paul.

This development is eagerly anticipated by fans, but I have reservations about celebrating it prematurely. The Spider-Man editorial office has persisted in maintaining this relationship despite numerous complaints from fans. I share your skepticism that they might not give in to fan demands so quickly. Therefore, while we can look forward to this turning point, it’s essential to remain cautious about expecting immediate changes.

Spider-Man Fans Should Be Skeptical

For decades, “One More Day,” a storyline that annulled the marriage between Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Mary Jane Watson, has been met with widespread criticism. Despite this persistent disapproval, Marvel Comics has persistently reinforced and expanded upon this narrative. The editorial team at Marvel had long wished to eliminate the marriage, as it contrasted with their vision, but fans appreciated seeing the relatable underdog character finally triumph and win the girl. It offered a glimmer of hope; if Spider-Man could achieve such happiness, so could we. However, creators like Joe Quesada and Tom Brevoort, along with subsequent editors since 2007, seemed disregardful of fan sentiment. Writers such as Dan Slott and Zeb Wells not only disregarded the fans but also antagonized them for years over this issue. Their portrayal of Mary Jane was damaging, erasing her character development since her relationship with Peter began. In the letter pages of “The Amazing Spider-Man,” Nick Lowe has reported fans expressing fondness for “One More Day”, one of the most hated comics of the 21st century, and professing their preference for Paul and Mary Jane. However, Lowe’s claims lack substantiation, and it appears that Marvel continues to support a relationship that many online ardently oppose.

Over the weekend before the book was released, news leaked about the break-up, and fans were excited. However, considering Marvel’s past actions, I suspect they won’t give us what we truly desire. The scene in question seems rather disrespectful towards Mary Jane. Paul is portrayed as someone trying to make things work, while Mary Jane rejects him. From certain angles, Paul appears to be the innocent party. However, this situation can also be seen as another instance of damaging Mary Jane’s character. This story is not yet complete. I worry that Marvel might manipulate this plot twist to create sympathy for Paul, showing him fighting for MJ and winning her back again. I hope I’m mistaken; after all, Paul’s technology transformed Mary Jane into a superhero with deadly tech, forcing her to bond with the Venom symbiote. Paul is not the good guy in this narrative. At best, he can be labeled as a reckless scientist. At worst, he’s an oblivious one who endangered someone he professes to love, despite knowing better. This seems more like a tactic to evoke sympathy for a character rather than satisfying fans.

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

The conclusion of Paul and Mary Jane’s story might mark a fresh start. Marvel may choose to reinvent Mary Jane as a character, while phasing out a character in Paul that many people dislike. However, Marvel has been adhering to a specific narrative with MJ and Peter for quite some time now. If they were to separate MJ and Paul and eventually work towards their reunion over the course of All-New Venom, this would align with their established path. Enjoy the current developments, but brace yourself for Marvel potentially changing things again.

Watching Paul being dumped was quite a spectacle for storytelling purposes, but the story isn’t over just yet. So, keep your expectations in check regarding this whole situation. Unfortunately, Marvel doesn’t have a stellar history of meeting Spider-Man fans’ expectations, and I’m afraid this may not be an exception.

All-New Venom #9 is on sale now.

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2025-08-09 23:13