The Death of Marvel’s Most Hated Character Sets Up the End of Spider-Man’s Most Controversial Story

by

Spider-Man’s enduring popularity isn’t just about his exciting adventures; it’s also thanks to the memorable characters around him. Figures like Aunt May, Flash Thompson, and especially Mary Jane have played a huge role in making Spider-Man the icon he is today. They connect him to relatable, everyday struggles alongside his battles with supervillains. Mary Jane, in particular, is considered one of the greatest supporting characters in comic books, and her romance with Peter Parker is often hailed as Marvel’s best – though the two haven’t been together for quite some time.

Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson have faced many obstacles in their relationship, most notably being separated by the storyline “One More Day.” Just when it seemed they were reconciling, Marvel introduced Paul Rabin, a character widely disliked by fans and specifically created to keep them apart. He represented the impossibility of their relationship and Peter’s unhappiness. After years of fan requests, Paul Rabin was finally killed off in Venom #256. This event, along with clues in recent Spider-Man comics and upcoming story descriptions, suggests that the controversial “One More Day” storyline may soon be reversed in Amazing Spider-Man #1000.

The Countdown to 1000 Has Already Begun

Hitting issue number 1,000 is a huge accomplishment for any comic book. While Amazing Spider-Man hasn’t always had a straight number count like Action Comics or Detective Comics, Spider-Man’s 1,000th issue is coming up soon. To make this a truly special event, Marvel should bring Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson back together. This idea isn’t just wishful thinking. The recent death of Paul, who previously broke up with MJ, makes it clear he won’t come between them again. Removing him from the story permanently symbolizes the end of that chapter and clears the path for Peter and MJ to reconnect.

It’s been tough since Paul and MJ split – Peter hasn’t been able to really talk to MJ, and we’re finally getting that conversation in Venom #258! I don’t think they’ll just get back together, but it feels like a crucial first step for them to even start healing their friendship. Honestly though, what’s really got me worried is Aunt May. Joe Kelly has been dropping hints throughout his run that something’s wrong with her, and with her age and past health issues, it’s scary to think what it could be. Amazing Spider-Man (2025) #31, which is issue #995 overall, is promising a huge conversation between Peter and May. Everyone assumes it’ll be about Peter’s secret identity, but what if it’s something far worse? What if May doesn’t have much time left?

Aunt May’s death might be what breaks the deal Spider-Man and MJ made with Mephisto. If she dies, especially around issue #1000, Peter and MJ could regain their memories and remember everything they sacrificed. This could set up Mephisto as the main villain, desperately trying to keep their memories lost, before a final effort restores things to how they once were.

Decades of Despair Building to Love

The comic book storyline “One More Day” remains highly debated among Spider-Man fans. Many felt it wasn’t just disappointing, but a fundamental break from the core values of the character. Because comics create lasting narratives, character development has limits, but having Spider-Man make a deal with the Devil and end a beloved relationship felt like a step too far. It seemed like Marvel was deliberately inflicting suffering on Spider-Man, disregarding what fans cared about. This damaged the sense of natural character progression and eroded trust with readers. Reversing the storyline could be a step toward rebuilding that trust.

As a huge Spider-Man fan, I can tell you, reversing “One More Day” would be massive. It would instantly be the year’s best-selling comic, no question. So many of us were really hurt by that storyline, and this would be the perfect way to bring us – and new readers – back into Peter and MJ’s world. Honestly, fans have been asking for this for years! Plus, it would finally put Spider-Man and MJ back in line with how most of us see them – as a couple. After twenty years of them being unmarried in the comics, the potential for fresh, exciting stories is huge. Seriously, who wouldn’t be thrilled to see that happen?

While restoring Peter and MJ’s marriage would be great, Marvel has some challenges. They’d need to seamlessly integrate it into the current storyline, especially since Spider-Man’s history has grown a lot since the controversial “One More Day” arc – undoing that story shouldn’t create new continuity problems or upset fans of long-established comics. Plus, the Spider-Man fanbase is divided. While many dislike “One More Day,” some fans have grown accustomed to Peter not being with MJ, and Marvel has actively promoted Gwen Stacy as his main love interest, which complicates things further.

These issues aren’t a major problem. Marvel has made much bigger continuity errors before, and things will likely be resolved quickly. A little inconsistency is just part of enjoying comics. You can’t please all fans, and some will always be unhappy, but that shouldn’t stop new stories from being told. At least Spider-Man and MJ are starting to repair their relationship, and even that small step is a positive development, even if we’re hoping for more.

Venom #256 is on sale now!

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/spider-mans-5-best-crossover-comics-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2026-04-03 19:10