Marvel Comics was being Marvel Comics once again with the big reveal of Mary Jane Watson being the All-New Venom. To say that this was a badly kept secret ahead of its reveal on April 2nd’s All-New Venom #5 would be an understatement. This create a distinctly noticeable vibe going into the reveal of Mary Jane’s new identity in the Marvel Universe. It is a reveal that, like with any story development, have potential. But it is a potential Marvel risked with their decision making. Let’s take a look at the week that was for Mary Jane and Venom, and how that can play into the future of Spider-Man’s direction.
MARVEL GOES ALL-IN ON SPOILING MARY JANE WATSON IS VENOM
With a reveal as big as Mary Jane Watson being the All-New Venom there was bound to be those looking to spoil it. That is exactly what happened with a retailer posting the spoiler variant cover of All-New Venom #5 on eBay in the morning of March 29th. This being sold by a rogue eBay merchant was reported by Bleeding Cool and other outlets really quickly.
So what was Marvel Comics to do with the spoiler hitting the internet the Saturday before All-New Venom #5 release? Well how else but going ahead and confirming the spoilers first thing on Monday, March 31st, morning with post of the page where Mary Jane confirms she is Venom. Now I’m not going to fool myself thinking this sunk the sales for All-New Venom #5. In fact with how quickly the spoiler variant sold on eBay there is no doubt that All-New Venom #5 will rank highly on the April sales rankings.
What this does show is how Marvel fumbled how they protected the secret. Even the news announcement and all follow-up posts on Marvel.com shows this. Their was a clear marketing push that was planned for Wednesday that included an interview with Al Ewing. That was supposed to be their first article. But since they somehow didn’t realize how big of a deal this was they did not protect the reveal like they have in other instances.
The covers for All-New Venom, including one that pages homage to John Romita’s iconic Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21, shows they really want to heat up fans for sales. And given this marketing direction it won’t be surprising that Marvel will continue to commission these type of homage covers as this new direction for Mary Jane will continue. No matter how much fans voice their displeasures Spider-Man editorial has proven they won’t just double down, but quadruple down on their decisions.
AL EWING CREDIBILITY WILL HELP MJ WATSON’S ALL-NEW VENOM
This new direction with Mary Jane Watson being All-New Venom certainly deserves groans. Marvel, specifically Spider-Man editorial, have built massive animosity with how they’ve treated MJ since Brand New Day. And given MJ’s history with Venom this reveal certainly comes across as a sales stunt more than a true next step for the character. Especially as MJ’s direction as the superhero Jackpot and relationship with Paul Rabin has fallen flat.
All that said, Marvel does have a secret weapon for this All-New Venom direction, and that is not MJ. It is the fact that Al Ewing is the writer of this direction. If we are thinking of writers that have built up tremendous credibility with not just comic book fans but Marvel fans in recent years, Ewing is at the top of that list. Ewing’s work on Immortal Hulk, X-Men: Red, Guardians of the Galaxy, Immortal Thor, Ant-Man, and Wasp has earned him that credibility.
So as much as MJ as Venom continues head scratching decisions with her character Ewing deserves the benefit of the doubt. Ewing’s interview with Marvel.com signals that he has actual plans for this direction. Even if it was a direction given to him by editorial or his own, if he can do what he did with Immortal Hulk and other work this could be a gem for Marvel. Though a big emphasis on “could.”
PETER PARKER REACTION TO MJ AS VENOM & GWEN STACY RESURRECTION
The timing of going with MJ being Venom does play into what looks to be a big year for Spider-Man comics. They were already going into this year with Ultimate Spider-Man being one of the hottest titles on the market. Then there is Amazing Spider-Man getting relaunched and Miles Morales going back to the Ultimate Universe.
But the biggest development in 2025 is that this will be the year Marvel is officially resurrecting Earth-616 Gwen Stacy. This really puts into question how Peter will react and deal to what is going on with both Gwen and MJ. Even though MJ’s turn as Venom is still one as superhero, the history between the three characters should play a major factor.
While Marvel appears to be keeping Peter’s reaction to both these developments to their in the individual titles, Gwenpool and All-New Venom, it would be waste. If Marvel is truly going with such big developments with Gwen and MJ they need to go all in. And that is having a comic book where we see Peter’s Spider-Man, Gwen’s Dark Gwenpool, and MJ’s Venom crossing over. Marvel already has gone all in with spoiling these reveals so why not go all in with publishing plans.
No matter what Marvel’s plans are, 2025 already appears to be a big, crazy year for the Spider-Man franchise. There are so many decisions being made that range from exciting to questionable to rage inducing. We’ll see if Marvel turn all this attention for all these Spider-Man comic books into success.
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