Marvel is strongly teasing a new romance in Spider-Man lore – one that will enrage longtime fans like never before. That’s saying a lot, since Marvel just got done with a love story that fans loathed on historic levels.
Marvel Teases New Romance Between Spider-Man’s Flash Thompson and MJ Watson
In today’s Venom #253 – from Al Ewing, Carlos Gómez, Frank D’Armata and Clayton Cowles – Mary Jane Watson meets up with Flash Thompson. Thompson is best known as Peter Parker’s high school bully, though the two have since reconciled, and Flash has become the hero Agent Anti-Venom. Meanwhile, MJ is Marvel’s current All-New Venom.
Flash makes what seem to be romantic overtures to MJ (foreshadowed in prior issues), while using his Antivenom powers to warn her that Madame Masque has hidden nanotech inside her body to spy on her.
However, while MJ doesn’t appear to take Flash’s words seriously, it certainly seems like he really does have a romantic interest in his former schoolmate – and may not even realize that his Antivenom symbiote is communicating in another way. Flash appears to sincerely take MJ’s comments to Antivenom as a rejection of his feelings.
A vocal contingent of Spider-Man fans are deeply irritated that even 18 years after the ‘One More Day’ retcon, Marvel refuses to allow Peter and MJ to get back together. Launching a brand-new relationship with someone so deeply connected to Spider-Man lore is therefore likely to be controversial.
Our Take on MJ and Flash’s Potential Romance
Mary Jane Watson only recently broke up with Paul Rabin – a new character who received an immense amount of hate online, despite designing tech that allowed MJ to operate as the superhero Jackpot. The match was so hated that when they broke up in All-New Venom #9, it was presented as a triumphant moment, with light shining behind them – a seeming nod to the fandom’s sentiments.
Ultimately, many Spider-Man fans want MJ and Peter back together, and anything else is cause for outrage. However, MJ/Flash would be particularly impactful given the two are both permanent fixtures of Spider-Man lore, and a romantic relationship would transform their sixty-year relationship forever.
Is Marvel Tricking Fans With This Potential Spider-Man Romance?
It’s worth noting that Flash doesn’t quite spell out his romantic interest in MJ, and Ewing’s Venom has proved itself a particularly tricksy book. It’s possible that Flash is hinting at something else – perhaps he wants to reclaim his former symbiote or start an Antivenom/Venom team.
Only future stories will reveal where Flash and MJ are headed, but if two of the main supporting characters in Spider-Man lore suddenly turn into an item, Marvel can be sure it will hear from fans.
Venom #253 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- First Appearance
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Amazing Fantasy
- Alias
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Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner
- Alliance
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Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors
- Race
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Human
