Mary Jane Variant Covers Put Spidey’s Friend In Every Marvel Comic Ever

Now we just wish Mary Jane would appear as every Marvel hero at least once

Alas, poor Mary Jane Watson. In most versions of the Spider-Man story, she’s stuck as the perennial girlfriend (or standby love interest, if Gwen Stacy is hanging around). It’s a pretty lame place to be in the comics world. More often than not, it seemed as if things were done to Mary Jane, rather than by her.

Now, at least in the world of variant comic book covers, things have changed. Marvel is releasing a total of 22 variant covers featuring one Mary Jane Watson. The variant release celebrates the release of Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #1, a new series by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Adam Kubert. The series will release a lead-in issue on Free Comic Book Day (May 6), while the series proper will begin in June.

Marvel took on this set of covers after the wildly popular success of both Gwen Stacy and Venom variant covers. Gwen Stacy’s cover included versions of her as Groot, Magneto, and Captain America.

All-New Wolverine #21, Mary Jane variant (Image via Marvel)

You may know Gwen Stacy from her role as Spider-Man’s other kind-of sort-of girlfriend and rival to Mary Jane. Hopefully, you may know her better by her more active role in the ongoing Spider-Gwen series. Spider-Gwen is set on Earth-65, an alternate reality where Gwen becomes “Spiderwoman”. She also meets a black, female Captain America. Go read Spider-Gwen, is what I’m trying to say here.

The Punisher #13, Mary Jane variant cover (Image via Marvel)

At any rate, Marvel is now featuring Mary Jane in a variety of new roles. On one alternate cover, she’s the Hulk, threatening to rip up readers’ X-Men figures if they don’t buy the issue (Hulk #7). For Doctor Strange #22, she takes on the mystical powers of the Sorcerer Supreme (and his cool cape). She also suits up as Iron Man (Invincible Iron Man #8), sports some adamantium claws (All-New Wolverine #21), and even takes over for Spider-Gwen (Spider-Gwen #21).

Doctor Strange #22, Mary Jane variant cover (Image via Marvel)

The complete covers include:

"All-New Wolverine #21 by David LopezAvengers #8 by Mike AllredChampions #9 by Helen ChenDoctor Strange #22 by Francisco HerreraGwenpool, the Unbelievable #17 by David NakayamaHulk #7 by RahzzahInvincible Iron Man #8 by Marco ChecchettoIron Fist #4 by Stephanie HansSpider-Gwen #21 by Kevin WadaThe Mighty Captain Marvel #6 by Chris SamneeThe Punisher #13 by Dave WilliamsVenom #151 by Francesco MattinaAll-New Guardians of the Galaxy #3 by TBABlack Bolt #2 by Ryan StegmanCaptain America: Steve Rogers #18 by Paolo RiveraDaredevil #21 by Humberto RamosDeadpool #32 by Elizabeth TorqueI Am Groot #2 by TBAMighty Thor #20 by Patrick BrownSecret Warriors #3 by Humberto RamosX-Men Blue #5 by TBAX-Men Gold #5 by Anthony Piper"

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Hopefully, this means that Mary Jane herself will get some more active story lines in the Spectacular Spider-Man series. The Mary Jane variants will be available a comic shops throughout the month of June.