Summary

• Spider-Man prioritizes his new girlfriend Shay over crime-fighting, showing a willingness to compromise his heroism.
• Shay Marken emerges as Peter Parker's new love interest, providing him with the balance he struggled to find with Mary Jane.
• The Amazing Spider-Man #55 highlights Shay's influence on Peter Parker's life, potentially suring his relationship with Mary Jane.

Warning: Spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man #55!It looks like Marvel officially ended their romance, Peter Parker still wouldn't toss crime-fighting aside for MJ.

The Amazing Spider-Man #55 by Zeb Wells, Emilio Laiso, Bryan Valenza, and VC's Joe Caramagna solidifies the woman who actually is filling that role for Peter Parker as he goes official with his new girlfriend, Shay Marken. Back in the day, readers would frequently see Spider-Man skip out on a dinner date with MJ, and truthfully, all of his dates. But this is the one woman who Peter has second thoughts about skipping out on, and even stops himself from crime-fighting in favor of spending dinner with Shay.

While this is still an incredibly new relationship for Peter, he's already shown that he's willing to compromise his heroism in ways that he couldn't with MJ.

Meet Shay Marken, Peter Parker's New Girlfriend

Amazing Spider-Man #55 by Zeb Wells, Emilio Laiso, Bryan Valenza, and VC's Joe Caramagna

Shay Marken first made her Marvel debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #45, where she's revealed to be a nurse at the Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane (aka Marvel's answer to Arkham Asylum). She's instantly shown to be likable, as all the inmates get along with her generally well, including Mary Jane Watson's aunt Anna. After Spider-Man is able to cure Anna of her insanity brought on by a tainted dose of Krakoan medicine, which caused Krakoan Derangement Syndrome, Anna returns the favor by secretly fixing Peter on a date with Shay.

She tells Peter they will talk about Anna's release from Ravencroft, but it is actually a first date. Despite it ending with Peter escaping for Spider-Man duties, they enjoy each other's company enough to make room for multiple dates after - which are all either interrupted by Spider-Man duty or because Peter flakes on Shay for the same reasons. That all changes in this issue, where Peter flakes one too many times and decides to prioritize his date for once - all thanks to Shay.

What Changed Peter Parker's Mind

Could He Love Shay More Than Mary Jane?

It's too early in their dynamic right now to say that Peter loves Shay, but the fact that the prospect of just exploring their relationship is enough to convince Peter to prioritize something other than crime-fighting is a good sign of what's to come. In this issue, it is Shay's concept of Peter's old responsibility motif that gets through to Peter. She reminds him that as much as he has all these responsibilities to who knows what, he still has a responsibility to his wants, needs, and ultimately, himself.

Before this issue, she has been utterly understanding (to a fault) of Peter's constant retreating without explanation and without knowing he's a superhero, but here, she helps Peter understand what he needs as Peter before Spider-Man. Already, Shay is proving to be a voice of reason when Peter needs one, helping him balance civilian life with superhero duties in ways he couldn't figure out, even with Mary Jane Watson. In just a handful of dates with Shay, he seems to finally have that balance nailed down. Shay's future in Spider-Man's life looks bright.

The Amazing Spider-Man #55 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.