A 17-Month Match Made by Aunt May

1st Mention of Mary Jane Watson in Amazing Spiderman #25 (June 1965) by John Romita

Mary Jane Watson is first mentioned in Amazing Spiderman #25 (June 1965), with her head and face obscured by a scarf and a strategically placed red potted flower. For 17 issues, Mary Jane’s non-appearance became a running joke in the comic magazine. Despite Aunt May’s best efforts, Peter just always seemes to miss meeting the girl-next-door month after month,

Marvel finally reveals Mary Jane Watson 17 months later in the final panel of Amazing Spiderman #42 (November 1966). The panel is one of the most iconic panel in all of comics. In it, a fiery-haired, sophisticated, flirtatious Mary Jane Watson tells nerd-next-door Peter Parker, “Face it, Tiger…You hit the jackpot!“

Forty-six years after her first full appearance, Mary Jane’s flippant introduction to Peter Parker inspired one of the most sought-after Spiderman variants of modern times: Joe Quinones’  limited print cover for Amazing Spiderman #678 in March 2012. In this cover, Mary Jane has been infected by the Venom symbiote and, casually having just broken through the door, lifts her clawed hands, grins toothily, and happily tells readers (and presumably the nerd-next-door Peter Parker): “Face it, Tiger. You just lost the jackpot.”

Mary Jane Watson’s iconic introduction continues to ring throughout the Marvel Universe. A model and actress, she has been not only Peter’s on again-off again lover (and wife!) but has become a strong lead character and role model in Marvel’s many comic magazines.

With her distinctive red hair, Mary Jane is a favorite subject of many talented artists such as Mark Brooks, Tyler Kirkham, and J. Scott Campbell to name only a few.

Sources: ComicBackIssues.com (Mary Jane Watson Comic Book Essentials Timeline); Comics Alliance (“Hitting the Jackpot: A Celebration of Mary Jane Watson“)