Warning: Spoilers ahead for All-New Venom #7!
Spider-Manand Mary Jane’s romance has been dead in the water for nearly two decades, while MJ’s relationship with the infamous Paul has more than overstayed its welcome, but Marvel may have just hinted at an all-new relationship for MJ that is sure to rile up fans. The end of Mary Jane and Paul is imminent, but Marvel just teased replacing the usurper with Flash Thompson, of all people.
InAll-New Venom#7, written by Al Ewing, with art by Carlos Gómez, after finding out thatMary Jane is the new host of Venom, Flash Thompson meets up with MJ to talk to Venom through her, which is where potential sparks fly between the two.Flash Thomson says, “Maybe something great was waiting. If I had just noticed it was there,” and looks up at MJ, alluding to a possible romance.
For years, Paul has been the bane of MJ and Spider-Man’s relationship, or lack thereof, but it’s debatable whether MJ needs to be rebounding with Peter Parker’s ex-bully.
Marvel Teases Romance For Mary Jane And Flash Thompson, And Longtime Spider-Man Fans Can’t Believe It
All-NewVenom#7; Written By Al Ewing; Art By Carlos Gómez; Color By Frank D’Armata; Lettering By Clayton Cowles
Since his introduction inAmazing Spider-Man#1, written by Zeb Wells, with art by John Romita Jr., Paul has been among the Spider-Man franchise’s most despised characters, and for good reason. Spider-Man and MJ had been slowly recovering their relationship after the notorious events of “One More Day,” andthe introduction of Paul was the bombshellthat completely derailed all the progress MJ and Peter had made. Paul has stuck around since, but with the two’s relationship on thin ice due to MJ becoming Venom’s host, Paul and MJ’s unwelcome love affair may finally come to an end.
While many Spider-Man fans have been eagerly anticipating Paul and MJ’s break-up, as it feels at times Paul’s existence is solely to keep MJ and Peter apart,this excitement will unfortunately be short-lived, because Marvel may be prepping to substitute Flash Thompson in Paul’s place. Flash and MJ’s interaction can be taken in many different ways, asFlash does hold a genuine care and love for Venomas his previous host. Still, the way MJ and Flash are presented together, just as MJ and Paul’s relationship is falling apart, does raise a lot of suspicion.
Mary Jane’s Love Life Is A Mess, As Marvel Continues To Keep Spider-Man And MJ Apart
MJ And Flash Thompson Is Another Controversial Choice
Marvel has made it abundantly clear that Peter Parker and Mary Jane are not going to be an item any time soon, but with their relationship out of the question, MJ’s role within the main Marvel Mythos has been rather sporadic. Independent from Peter, Mary Jane became her own superhero as Jackpot, yether fairly new hero persona has already been overshadowed by her assuming the role of Venom. With all this change, Marvel needs to let MJ exist on her own and grow into her role as the new host of Venom.
Should Marvel consider making Flash and MJ an item, it would be yet another instance that would overshadow Mary Jane’s identity as a hero…
Flash, being a former host of the symbiote as Agent Venom and having a close friendship with Venom, certainly ties him to MJ’s new era as Venom’s latest host better than Paul ever could. However, should Marvel consider making Flash and MJ an item, it would be yet another instance that wouldovershadow Mary Jane’s identity as a heroand potentially further harm her relationship with Peter Parker. Marvel may not want to bring MJ and Peter Parker together just yet, but that doesn’t mean MJ needs to be in another relationship.
Flash Thompson Has One Of Marvel’s Best Redemption Arcs, But Is Getting With MJ The Right Move?
Are Flash And MJ A Good Fit?
While Flash Thompson originated as one of Peter Parker’s worst bullies from his high school years, Flash has long since grown and managed to have one of the most formative character evolutions in Marvel history, becoming a friend to Spider-Man and a compelling hero. That being said, there is still a lingering sentiment that MJ and Flash potentially getting together fresh off the heels of her likely breakup with Paul would be tactless, when considering their respective relationships with Peter Parker. It’s highly debatable whether their speculative relationship would be beneficial for either of their characters.
Mary Jane and Spider-Man are one of the most popular couples within Marvel, even with the two having been separated for years, so it’s no wonder a large portion of the fanbase is desperately eager for MJ to break up with Paul. Despite this, Marvel is doing everything in its power to keep MJ away from Peter Parker, which includes hinting at another love interest for MJ.MJ and Flash Thompson becoming a couple has the potential to be intriguing, but it would undoubtedly spark mass criticismfrom those who are holding out hope for Mary Jane andSpider-Mangetting back together.
