-Featured.png?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Amazing Spider-Man #11
In the latest issue of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man, it seems as though Peter Parker is finally ready to move on from his longtime love interest Mary Jane Watson (even if it wasn't his choice). Due to the mysterious yet very consequential sin Peter committed six months before the start of this new Spider-Man run, Mary Jane is now with someone else and has a family. As a result, Spider-Man looks ready to move on with none other than Felicia Hardy's Black Cat, a decision that could ultimately be good not only for Marvel's iconic Webslinger but for readers themselves.
Previously in Amazing Spider-Man from Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr., Peter and MJ have been severely on the outs. Whatever Peter did reportedly involved massive risk and little responsibility, though Spider-Man's conversation with a Celestial during Marvel's recent Judgment Day crossover teased that Spider-Man was trying to bring back a loved one. Regardless if this was Mary Jane or someone else entirely, she's no longer interested in being with Spider-Man even though the previous run saw them preparing to move in together and Peter looking to propose as soon as the time was right. While they would have meaningfully moved forward in a way that hasn't been seen since the controversial One More Day storyline which retconned Spider-Man's entire life (including his marriage to MJ), the two of them are now even further back than square one.
Although Mary Jane has very little interest in even talking to Peter, it's still remarkable that Spider-Man is now taking the initiative to pursue Felicia Hardy in the new Amazing Spider-Man #11. While she still has a darker streak, Black Cat has become more of an anti-hero in recent years than she's even been before in the Marvel Universe. Combined with her flirtatious history with Spider-Man and Peter's newly single status, it seems as though the perfect storm has been created for the Cat and Spider to finally become an item.
Spider-Man Asking Out Black Cat Is Incredibly Refreshing
The fact that Black Cat was totally expecting Spider-Man to create distance between the two of them communicates volumes about their own cyclical past. However, Spider-Man now has the motivation to break said cycle and go after Felicia for once, a refreshing and exciting deviation away from his relationship with MJ. While they were largely happy in the previous run, there had been zero long-term momentum with Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson long before he committed his mystery sin. Now that the rug has been pulled yet again despite the proposal teases, it's evident that fans could use a break from the spinning wheels (at least until Marvel is ready to finally do something concrete with Peter and MJ).
That being said, Black Cat deserves far more than to be a rebound girl. While Spider-Man thankfully seems to genuinely want a real relationship, time will tell if Felicia Hardy actually says yes. Regardless, Spider-Man looking elsewhere given the circumstances is quite refreshing. No matter the outcome, both Spider-Man and his fans could use an actual trajectory in his love life for once. Amazing Spider-Man #11 is on sale now.