Warning: contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #900!
A major character from Spider-Man's life is missing from his 900th issue, and their absence proves Marvel is ready to finally move the character forward - even if it brings the wrath of Marvel fans down upon the editorial team. The landmark issue contains four stories and 90 pages of Spider-Man action, involving old and new enemies, friends and family members, and even Aunt May and the hot-tempered J Jonah Jameson. But despite dozens of Spider-Man characters appearing in the issue, not a single panel includes Mary Jane Watson, Spider-Man's famous love interest - and Marvel has a very good reason why.
Mary Jane was not Spider-Man's first romantic partner, but she is by far the most well-known by fans and writers alike. Despite Stan Lee's efforts to pair Peter Parker with Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane endeared herself to readers in a way the former love interest never could; she was far more interesting and her "mod girl" appearance resonated with readers at the time. Their on-again, off-again relationship would eventually culminate in a 1986 wedding issue - and while the couple was not without their problems, they remained together until the events of 2007's One More Day allowed Mephisto to erase the marriage from existence entirely.
In Amazing Spider-Man #900, written by Zeb Wells with art by Ed McGuinness, Peter is treated to a surprise birthday party thrown by nearly all of his friends. Aunt May, Mockingbird, Black Cat, and even Flash Thompson are in attendance - but Mary Jane is conspicuously absent. While the current story arc involves Mary Jane living a life without Peter, a birthday (and landmark issue) should include an appearance by Peter's former wife (even if she can't remember her marriage).
Since One More Day, the relationship between Mary Jane and Peter Parker has stagnated, with multiple break-ups and reunions for the couple. In 2021's Kindred arc, Marvel even teased Peter Parker's potential proposal - even indicating that Peter bought a ring - but as of 2022, he has yet to propose or even mention the ring at all. This could be a sign that the company is finally ready to allow Spider-Man to move on from Mary Jane and begin a relationship with another character. Black Cat immediately comes to mind - Felicia is heavily featured in Amazing Spider-Man #900 and even kisses Peter at the end of the issue.
Mary Jane's character is in a state of limbo in the present day; Marvel isn't quite sure how to define her without Spider-Man, but doesn't want to reunite her with Spider-Man either (lest they eventually marry and make One More Day an entirely pointless affair). The 900th issue has plenty of fights, but is structured as a one-off tale that doesn't move the present story forward. Perhaps Spider-Man would be better off without Mary Jane, or perhaps he would be better with her - but unfortunately, Marvel has yet to make a clear decision either way.