Marvel potentially considering departure from a highly contested character among its roster
In the world of Marvel Comics, the ongoing saga of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson has taken an unexpected turn with the introduction of a new character: Paul Rabin. Introduced in 2022's The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6 #1, Paul, created by Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr., has become a contentious figure among fans.
The relationship between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, an iconic pairing in the Marvel universe, was disrupted when the two broke up, paving the way for Paul to enter Mary Jane's life. This move has been met with significant backlash, as many fans perceive Paul as a forced narrative device, often referred to as a "Mary Sue," inserted by Marvel to break apart the classic couple in disregard of fan desires.
This unpopularity is intensified by the perception that Marvel prioritized Paul over Peter, a sentiment often expressed as "robbing Peter to pay Paul" by fans. Paul's character has also faced hostility from other characters, mirroring the fan frustration. For instance, Dylan Brock, a character in All-New Venom, verbally abuses Paul.
The introduction of Paul and the subsequent drama surrounding his relationship with Mary Jane has contributed to reader dissatisfaction, especially after years of buildup around Peter and Mary Jane. The secret of Mary Jane hosting the Venom symbiote added another layer of complexity to the storyline.
The peak of the controversy came in 2025 when Marvel broke up Mary Jane and Paul in All-New Venom #9. This event was celebrated by many fans who had long opposed Paul’s presence in Mary Jane’s life.
In the latest issue of Amazing Spider-Man #9, Peter Parker's relationship with Mary Jane is strained, with him telling MJ that she and Venom deserve each other. The future of Mary Jane's character, specifically her relationship with Paul and Peter, remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the ongoing series Ultimate Spider-Man is set to end with its 24th issue at the end of this year. The ongoing series All-New Venom, featuring Mary Jane Watson as the host of the Venom symbiote, continues to be a significant aspect of the Marvel universe.
[1] The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6 #1 [2] All-New Venom #1 [3] The Uncanny X-Men #25 [4] Amazing Spider-Man #9 [5] All-New Venom #9
- Gizmodo reported on the uproar among Marvel Comics fans regarding the newly introduced character Paul Rabin, who disrupted the iconic relationship between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6 #1.
- IO9 pointed out the intensifying hostility towards Paul, as he was perceived as a "Mary Sue" character forced upon fans, and was even verbally abused by other characters like Dylan Brock in All-New Venom.
- As entertainment sites discuss the future of Marvel Comics, especially the uncertain relationship between Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, and Paul Rabin, they highlight the ongoing series All-New Venom as a significant factor in the current pop-culture debate surrounding the characters.
