Spider-Man's girlfriend. Her beloved figure has influenced many storylines with her strength, resilience, and multifaceted personality. Throughout her history, MJ has played key roles and even suited up as a vigilante herself. Recently, Marvel made a bold revelation about her character, and I hope I'm not the only one who realizes what a terrible idea it is.

Giving MJ the Venom symbiote risks taking away what makes her special...

In the latest issue of All-New Venom, Mary Jane Watson is revealed as the new host of the Venom symbiote, a shocking twist that has left fans reeling. Written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Carlos Gómez, the comic introduces a new era for Venom, but with mixed reactions.

While this caught most fans off guard, I'm not convinced this decision is good. This revelation feels more like a desperate shock tactic than a natural development for her.

The Story Behind the All-New Venom Twist

The Mysterious Identity of Venom’s New Host

The All-New Venom series has been building up a mystery surrounding the identity of the new Venom host for several issues now, and the journey to reveal the truth has been filled with plenty of twists and turns. Early in the series, Marvel introduced a list of potential candidates for the symbiote’s new host, including Luke Cage and Madame Masque. The multiple misdirections even ended up granting superpowers to Hulk's best friend, Rick Jones. These names were quickly circulated as possible suspects, but as the series progressed, it became apparent that none were the right fit.

One of the most prominent false leads was Paul, Mary Jane’s current boyfriend, who seemed like a natural choice given his presence in the storyline. Many fans were convinced that Marvel was setting him up to be the new Venom host, a move that would elevate the character in the eyes of readers. However, as the story unfolded, Paul turned out to be yet another misdirection, further muddying the waters of the mystery. This use of misdirection was designed to throw readers off course, but it ultimately was more confusing than satisfying.

The story itself was structured around Dylan Brock’s investigation into who had stolen the symbiote, which seemed like a natural setup for a larger mystery. With multiple suspects and a growing sense of tension, I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for the big reveal. However, by the time the truth was uncovered, the shock factor was overshadowed by a sense of whiplash, as it was revealed that none of the suspects had any real connection to the symbiote at all. The eventual reveal was a surprising and unexpected twist that caught fans completely off guard.

I'll Say It: Mary Jane Doesn’t Need Superpowers

MJ’s Strength Lies in Her Humanity

One of the key reasons the new Venom storyline for Mary Jane is problematic is that MJ doesn't need superpowers to be compelling. Over the years, she has proven herself to be one of the most grounded characters in the Marvel universe, someone who represents normalcy and relatability in the face of Peter’s chaotic life as Spider-Man. Giving her superpowers risks undermining this aspect of her character. Instead of making her more relevant, it potentially removes what makes her unique: her ability to influence and the heroes around her without the need for powers.

Mary Jane has already proven her mettle as a vigilante, having briefly taken on the mantle of Jackpot. Her ability to handle tough situations without superhuman strength speaks volumes about her strength of character, making the addition of the Venom symbiote feel like an unnecessary crutch that diminishes the power of her existing identity. She doesn't need powers to retain her significance in the Marvel universe, and the decision to do so makes it seem as if that significance is lost on the writers.

MJ's Venom Reveal Is All Shock Value With No Clear Motivation

A Desperate Attempt to Shock Fans

The reveal of Mary Jane as the new Venom host is undeniably shocking, but it feels more like a calculated gimmick than an organic development. Throughout All-New Venom, Marvel played with misdirection, tossing out various potential candidates, only to land on MJ. This revelation, while surprising, lacks a solid foundation in the narrative. It’s clear the twist was designed to catch readers off guard, but without a deeper understanding as to why she stole the symbiote in the first place, the development feels strikingly out of character.

MJ doesn’t need superpowers to be significant. She’s always been a grounded, relatable character who has contributed to the Spider-Man universe with her strength and resilience. Giving her the Venom symbiote risks taking away what makes her special. This choice undermines the essence of Mary Jane’s character and the inspirations behind her creation, making it a risky move that could have lasting negative effects on her arc and the Venom-centric series. Instead of enhancing her character, the Venom symbiote shifts Mary Jane into a role that feels out of place and disconnected from who she is.

Marvel's All-New Venom #5 is available April 2, 2025.

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  Spider-Man

  Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.

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