Comics Amazing Spider-Man #555

[J. J. Jameson]

Can Pete and MJ get back together? Yeah. But (re)married? Not likely.

See, the thing is...any story done about their relationship as a non-married couple will not mean much to me, because I can think back to a time when they were more than that...more than just two young people dating each other. It's just kinda like...haven't we been down this road before?

It's dumb. Because seeing them together, I'll automatically think, "Well, this is great, but it doesn't mean nearly as much because we've already seen where this kind of thing leads." And if they never do get remarried, what's the point of them even dating? A perpetual courtship can get old fast. That was one of the reasons Gwen Stacy was killed in the comics. They needed to do something with her character: either marry her to Peter or drop her.

Marriage can be written on many different levels because it is more layered than dating. There's just more there to play with and to keep it interesting, mostly because dating is seen as a temporary state, whereas marriage is seen as a way of actually living.

 

[Themanofbat]

I've known a couple that have been together since 1972, and while they've never married, they are certainly more into each other than most married couples I know.



The reality is... for some people, a marriage certificate is all that it is... a certificate.

 

[Spec Spider-Man]

I really enjoyed the issue, the art is not really my cup o'tea though.

 

[nobndfan]

I've known a couple that have been together since 1972, and while they've never married, they are certainly more into each other than most married couples I know.



The reality is... for some people, a marriage certificate is all that it is... a certificate.

If all that legal piece of paper means to some married people is a certificate, then they shouldn't have been married. Marriage is serious. Too many people do NOT take it seriously these days. People tend to go into marriages with the idea already in mind that they'll just get out of it if it doesn't work. I see nothing wrong with cementing it with that very important piece of paper. It is a legal, and should be a binding contract. Serious. Not dismissable. And certainly in Peter and MJ's case (fictional characters that they are! ), it seems very certain that that piece of paper meant something to them. To those of us who love the idea of a firmly committed married couple, it means something to us, too.

 

[mre]

I think marriage is more about a commitment to each other, you know for the rest of their lives, than it is a legal binding contract.
It's a way of expressing commitment, and to promise each other they will always love each other, and a gift to each other, knowing they will always be their for each other. It's a symbol of love, and a beginning of a family.

The certificate is just so that "legally" you are a married couple. Which is the most ridiculous thing if you think about it. Government tells us when we can be common-law or married.

The Promise to each other is much stronger than the certificate.

 

[nobndfan]

I think marriage is more about a commitment to each other, you know for the rest of their lives, than it is a legal binding contract.
It's a way of expressing commitment, and to promise each other they will always love each other, and a gift to each other, knowing they will always be their for each other. It's a symbol of love, and a beginning of a family.

The certificate is just so that "legally" you are a married couple. Which is the most ridiculous thing if you think about it. Government tells us when we can be common-law or married.

The Promise to each other is much stronger than the certificate.

If it's that strong, a person won't mind the contract, then. If they hesitate to sign..hmmm..!

 

[J. J. Jameson]

I've known a couple that have been together since 1972, and while they've never married, they are certainly more into each other than most married couples I know.



The reality is... for some people, a marriage certificate is all that it is... a certificate.

Yeah, but see...Marvel wouldn't do that.

"So Peter and MJ are married?"
"Well, no."
"They look married."
"Well..."
"They live together."
"Yeah..."
"They love each other."
"Very true..."
"They support each other."
"They try, anyway..."
"They stay faithful to each other, too."
"Yep."
"But they're not married?"
"No."
"Why?"
"It 'ages' them."
"And this somehow doesn't 'age' them?"
"That's Joephisto Power!"

I just think that 1)logic like that is dumb and 2) it can only make an interesting story for so long. The almost-got-the-girl-and-then-lost-her schtick isn't an infinite well you can keep dipping into. Like I said, dating doesn't last forever in most people's mind, whereas marriage is a lifestyle, the way a lot of people live their lives.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I think marriage is more about a commitment to each other, you know for the rest of their lives, than it is a legal binding contract.
It's a way of expressing commitment, and to promise each other they will always love each other, and a gift to each other, knowing they will always be their for each other. It's a symbol of love, and a beginning of a family.

The certificate is just so that "legally" you are a married couple. Which is the most ridiculous thing if you think about it. Government tells us when we can be common-law or married.

The Promise to each other is much stronger than the certificate.

Agreed.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

If it's that strong, a person won't mind the contract, then. If they hesitate to sign..hmmm..!

if it's that strong, why would one NEED to sign? People were getting married through ceremony alone CENTURIES before the government got involved

 

[Blader5489]

Yeah, but see...Marvel wouldn't do that.

"So Peter and MJ are married?"
"Well, no."
"They look married."
"Well..."
"They live together."
"Yeah..."
"They love each other."
"Very true..."
"They support each other."
"They try, anyway..."
"They stay faithful to each other, too."
"Yep."
"But they're not married?"
"No."
"Why?"
"It 'ages' them."
"And this somehow doesn't 'age' them?"
"That's Joephisto Power!"

I just think that 1)logic like that is dumb and 2) it can only make an interesting story for so long. The almost-got-the-girl-and-then-lost-her schtick isn't an infinite well you can keep dipping into.

When it comes to writing, there's a huge difference between a young couple and a married couple. Marvel wants to keep the former.

 

[Donald Thomas]

When it comes to writing, there's a huge difference between a young couple and a married couple. Marvel wants to keep the former.

Aloha,
Does Dick Tracy still date Tess? While I enjoyed the marriage most of the time. The best scenario would have been MJ not accepting Peter's proposal because she knew he was Spidey and them dating and having other relations for the rest of their lives. Which may be the way it turns out in the future. MJ is not dead and she will be in some form a part of Peter's life. But, for the near future, no one woman other than Aunt May will have Peter's heart.Contrary to Sam Raimis interpretation, the Amazing Spider-Man is NOT about a girl. He's about Power and responsibility as well as the ups and downs of fulfilling that power and responsibility.
Spidey rules

PS=- I'm thinking about having my address on my subscription changed to ILOVECLONES's address. He gets his stuff so early!

 

[iloveclones]

Dude, you live in Hawaii. You want to trade places with me in sunny and beautiful Pittsburgh, I'll eagerly await the plane tickets!

 

[spider greg]

Aloha,
Does Dick Tracy still date Tess? While I enjoyed the marriage most of the time. The best scenario would have been MJ not accepting Peter's proposal because she knew he was Spidey and them dating and having other relations for the rest of their lives. Which may be the way it turns out in the future. MJ is not dead and she will be in some form a part of Peter's life. But, for the near future, no one woman other than Aunt May will have Peter's heart.Contrary to Sam Raimis interpretation, the Amazing Spider-Man is NOT about a girl. He's about Power and responsibility as well as the ups and downs of fulfilling that power and responsibility.
Spidey rules

 

[Donald Thomas]

Dude, you live in Hawaii. You want to trade places with me in sunny and beautiful Pittsburgh, I'll eagerly await the plane tickets!

Aloha,
No trade, I just want my comics to come as fast as yours comes.
Spidey rules

 

[javi1024]

Aloha,
Does Dick Tracy still date Tess? While I enjoyed the marriage most of the time. The best scenario would have been MJ not accepting Peter's proposal because she knew he was Spidey and them dating and having other relations for the rest of their lives. Which may be the way it turns out in the future. MJ is not dead and she will be in some form a part of Peter's life. But, for the near future, no one woman other than Aunt May will have Peter's heart.Contrary to Sam Raimis interpretation, the Amazing Spider-Man is NOT about a girl. He's about Power and responsibility as well as the ups and downs of fulfilling that power and responsibility.
Spidey rules

PS=- I'm thinking about having my address on my subscription changed to ILOVECLONES's address. He gets his stuff so early!

while that would be an acceptable reason for the "break-up" i dont see why Peter shouldn't be allowed to find happiness in someone who isnt his aunt.

 

[Donald Thomas]

while that would be an acceptable reason for the "break-up" i dont see why Peter shouldn't be allowed to find happiness in someone who isnt his aunt.

Aloha,
He's never had a problem finding a girl in the past. But the character has a love of his Aunt, that has proven to be a driving and defining force.Her health and well being has been the major reason for him keeping his identity secret.
Spidey rules

 

[mre]

If it's that strong, a person won't mind the contract, then. If they hesitate to sign..hmmm..!

Sure... But I think it's more afterthought. It's not like "Hey I love you, let's get a marriage certificate."

 

[javi1024]

Aloha,
He's never had a problem finding a girl in the past. But the character has a love of his Aunt, that has proven to be a driving and defining force.Her health and well being has been the major reason for him keeping his identity secret.
Spidey rules

but considering 2 editors have had her find out the secret and die, and in each instance it was done so powerfully, its been shown that peter's identity as a person doesnt have to be defined by his frail, oblivious aunt. any drive, strength, comfort, support was being given by his wife. its like if anyone's parents died- one family comes to a close (mom, dad, son) and new family begins (husband and wife).

but if Marvel thinks that that kind of progression ages Peter too much than whatever. i just really enjoyed the fact that up until OMD we actually had a Spider-Man instead of keeping him in time limbo like the rest of the MU.

 

[Dangerous]

Also, he deserves a raise, or a promotion or something because he 1) Got rid of that stupid 70's/80's type of opening/narration and 2) Got rid of those dumb editor's boxes. Good show, Mr. Wells.

Ok, so you might not like the retro styled narrative, but the editors interjections throughout any story- these are a mainstay of Marvel comics. They are cool dammit! They also serve the dual purpose of often reminding the reader of a past a event he/she may be unaware of or had forgotten.

Anyway, I finally got round to reading #555. The Mayan warriors made fun enemies and thankfully Wolvie's guest spot did not feel forced or annoying. As a set up issue it was pretty solid and the switching between the origin of the story and Spidey battling his foes was cool.

I really liked the pencils and moody colors. Bachalo's nod to McFarlane with the Felix prize in the Fruit Loot was cool. I agree with what others said about the backgrounds looking great, and while Spidey was not that conventional looking, the art style was held together with an definite flair.

Over all it was a good read and it sounds like the next issue will debut a new bad dude who will hopefully be as fun to read the last three.

 

[nobndfan]

Sure... But I think it's more afterthought. It's not like "Hey I love you, let's get a marriage certificate."

Not sure I'm "getting" what you're saying here. My point was that a contract is a legally binding document. "Let's shack up" is another thing altogether. In fact, that is exactly what Marvel has just done to MJ and Peter...had them live together until they just didn't wanna anymore.

Marriage makes it harder to get out of than that. Gives the parties more time to think and reconsider about what they want to do.

So yeah, I think a marriage is more important that any other kind of man/woman relationship.

 

[Themanofbat]

So yeah, I think a marriage is more important that any other kind of man/woman relationship.

I'm not going to deny THAT statement, but it's one that Marvel doesn't want because eventually, they'll feel like they written themselves into a corner... and I'm talking long term here.

And secondly, I'd just like to add that just because some people like the new status quo does not necessarily equate to these people being marriage haters in real life...

I'm a very happily married man (after a disasterous decade of shacking up with someone) yet I'm very excited with this new direction in Spider-Man.

 

[nobndfan]

I'm not going to deny THAT statement, but it's one that Marvel doesn't want because eventually, they'll feel like they written themselves into a corner... and I'm talking long term here.

And secondly, I'd just like to add that just because some people like the new status quo does not necessarily equate to these people being marriage haters in real life...

I'm a very happily married man (after a disasterous decade of shacking up with someone) yet I'm very excited with this new direction in Spider-Man.

Oh, no, I hope I didn't come across trying to suggest that people who don't like the comic book Spidey marriage are marriage haters. Not my point at all.

My point just is that, given some of the conversation here that just giving a verbal promise is on the same level as a marriage commitment, just isn't so.

Sorry if I came across suggesting otherwise.

 

[J. J. Jameson]

Ok, so you might not like the retro styled narrative, but the editors interjections throughout any story- these are a mainstay of Marvel comics. They are cool dammit! They also serve the dual purpose of often reminding the reader of a past a event he/she may be unaware of or had forgotten.

Perhaps I should clarify...it's not so much the boxes that annoy me. It's the way they try to imitate the old-school creators as they do it. That was awesome back in the 60s/70s. But not modern comics.

 

[mre]

Not sure I'm "getting" what you're saying here. My point was that a contract is a legally binding document. "Let's shack up" is another thing altogether. In fact, that is exactly what Marvel has just done to MJ and Peter...had them live together until they just didn't wanna anymore.

Marriage makes it harder to get out of than that. Gives the parties more time to think and reconsider about what they want to do.

So yeah, I think a marriage is more important that any other kind of man/woman relationship.

I think we are just arguing for the sake of arguing here.
But my outlook on this is that as of BND they were never married. And what is wrong with living with your girlfriend? I made the decision to live with my girlfriend and we split cause it didn't work. What is wrong with that? I think if the love was/is their then that's all that really matters. NOT the "status" of their relationship.

 

[Venom 1988]

Perhaps I should clarify...it's not so much the boxes that annoy me. It's the way they try to imitate the old-school creators as they do it. That was awesome back in the 60s/70s. But not modern comics.

In other words they should try to modernize them, which I agree they should.