I know we're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover (and make no mistake, that variant by John Romita Sr for issue #600 is a nice, old school style cover), but given who is featured on that cover and what we apparently know about the story makes me believe each one of these characters will either play a part in the issue, or will be referred to in the issue. Since we're coming off of American Son, obviously Norman and Harry will be referenced, or have cameo appearances. Most of the characters like Jonah, Robbie, and Betty will be there for May and Jay's wedding (since I suspect Jonah will be the best man and Betty will be the maid of honor). And we can pretty much make a good enough guess that Mary Jane will make her return in this issue to spoil and thwart whatever new romantic opportunity that's open to Peter.
And it looks like it's going to be Carlie Cooper. If that's the case, it's a really poor move on the braintrust/webhead's part. For one thing, Carlie hasn't been adequately developed enough as a character; the fact some people can't even identify her on the cover seems indication enough that readers are not exactly emotionally invested in her, let alone see her as a credible potential love interest to compete with MJ for Peter's affections. More readers, I believe, have shown far more interest in Norah, Black Cat, Betty, and even (prior to her being revealed as Menace) Lily than they have a character who, from the very start of Brand New Day, was pegged as a Gwen Stacy knock off. Worse, since it's obvious that MJ's return as Peter's ex who still clearly has feelings for him will be the driving force in the foreseeable future, Carlie's will essentially be seen as nothing more than a plot device rather than an actual character.
Don't me wrong, I prefer Peter and MJ as a couple (especially as a married one) but if Marvel's goal was to, at the very least, create some romantic tension in Peter's life--even if they are still going to pair him back with MJ--then at the very least make the other part of the triangle someone we can give a damn about rather that just a flat, underdeveloped, cipher.
