By: Dr. Michael Robinson
Spider-Man is dating again. Sort of. In the recent “Spider-Man in Space” story arc, Peter Parker has been flung across the universe and is trying to make his way home. He’s gathered up a ragtag group of space adventurers (including none other than Rocket Raccoon) to help him find his way back to Earth. One of those deep-space outlaws is Raelith of the Wretched. Peter Parker has always had one particular romantic problem. It is very dangerous to date him. By her very nature, Rae suggests a solution.
For a character originally conceived of as a nerd and a loner, Peter quickly became quite the romantic lead. His double life as Spider-Man always complicated matters, though. For example, Peter would have to lie to the women in his life whenever he had to dash off to confront danger or to explain why he was late for dates.
Peter’s perceived connection to Spider-Man also caused problems. Remember, to the public at large, Peter Parker is the guy who has an exclusive photography deal with Spider-Man. Betty Brant, the administrative assistant to serial Spider-Man libeler J. Jonah Jameson, was appalled by the violence associated with Spider-Man’s life and Peter’s connection to it. In Betty’s world, wherever Peter Parker went, Spider-Man trouble seemed to follow. That helped to ruin their romance.
Of course, the ultimate example of the dangerous nature of dating Peter Parker is Gwen Stacy. Gwen was kidnapped and killed in the Green Goblin’s revenge plot against Spider-Man. Gwen was an intelligent and resourceful young woman, but she was no match for a superpowered lunatic bent on evening a score his deranged mind had concocted. Her death was tragic.
Mary Jane Watson, who had the longest-term relationship with Peter Parker, also suffered as a result of their connection. Even after MJ revealed that she knew Parker was Spider-Man, even after she accepted his dual life of great power and great responsibility, and even after MJ and Peter’s long and successful comic-book marriage, MJ experienced profound loss. When it became necessary to save Aunt May, Peter and MJ gave their marriage away to the demonic Mephisto. It was a high cost to pay, one that she might not even remember making because of the radical way Mephisto restructured Parker’s reality.
A normal dating life is not going to happen for Peter Parker. Or at least it will not happen with a normal person. Spidey needs to date someone in the same line of work, someone who knows the additional risks, and someone who, above all, can take care of themselves in a super battle context.
Peter has dated other people in the superhero industry. I am particularly fond of his relationship with The Black Cat. Her superior athletic skills, thieving talents, and bad-luck-induction powers tend to keep her safe. Felicia Hardy is a wild card, though, bouncing between a life of crime and a life of adventure.
For similar reasons, Mockingbird was an ideal romantic partner for Peter. She was a SHIELD super-agent and she can take care of herself. Ironically, they could not connect outside of the superhero work.
And Silk was bitten by the same radioactive spider that bit Parker. She has the same powers and abilities he does. The primary complication in their relationship is an overwhelming biological attraction stemming from their shared nature. To some, that might sound like an enviable problem to have, but it was preventing them from any kind of life at all.
So what makes Rae so interesting? Rae is perhaps the most powerful woman Spidey has ever dated regularly. She is superstrong and a highly skilled combatant. Rae is not going to get knocked off the top of a bridge by a madman on a goblin glider. She is so capable that she sees herself as Spider-Man’s protector. For a change, someone is looking after Spidey who could actually do the job.
Of course this relationship is not going to work out. As much as I think NYC would welcome the arrival of (yet another) alien from space… NYC is cosmopolitan in even the cosmic sense… Rae’s presence in Peter Parker’s life would move him away from the ordinary even more. I will miss her.
But another intriguing possibility presents itself. In the Marvel Comics, MJ is currently the host of Venom. Yes, you read that right. MJ is Venom. While I have not always been a fan of the way modern Marvel has given superpowers to many of Spidey’s old supporting class, I must acknowledge that MJ is now even more capable of taking care of herself now that she has a symbiote. Or would it be too weird of a romantic triangle to pursue?
