Summary
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Spider-Man prioritizes his new girlfriend Shay over crime-fighting, and shows a willingness to compromise his heroism.
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Shay Marken emerges as Peter Parker’s new love interest, providing him with the balance he struggled to find with Mary Jane.
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The Amazing Spider-Man #55 highlights Shay’s influence on Peter Parker’s life, potentially surpassing his relationship with Mary Jane.
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #55!It looks like Spider-Man Has finally found a girlfriend he loves more than crime-fighting. Most readers would naturally assume that if anyone were to fill such a role for him, it would be Mary Jane Watson. For those same readers, this would have to be Spidey’s end game relationship. However, even before Marvel officially ended their romance, Peter Parker still wouldn’t throw crime fighting aside for MJ.
The Amazing Spider-Man #55 by Zeb Wells, Emilio Laiso, Bryan Valenza and VC Joe Caramagna solidifies the woman actually filling the role for Peter Parker As he goes official with his new girlfriend, Shay Marken. Back in the day, readers would often see Spider-Man jump on a dinner date with MJ, and indeed all of his dates. But this is the one woman Peter has second thoughts about skipping out on, and even quits crime-fighting in favor of spending dinner with Shay.
While this is still an incredibly new relationship for Peter, he’s already shown that he’s willing to compromise his bravery in ways he couldn’t with MJ.
Meet Shay Marken, Peter Parker’s new girlfriend
Amazing Spider-Man #55 by Zeb Wells, Emilio Laiso, Bryan Valenza and VC’s Joe Caramagna
Shay Marken first made her Marvel debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #45where she is revealed to be a nurse at the Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane (aka Marvel’s answer to Arkham Asylum). She is immediately shown to be likable, as all the inmates generally get along with her, including Mary Jane Watson’s Aunt Anna. After Spider-Man is able to cure Anna of her insanity caused by a tainted dose of Krakoan drug, which causes Krakoan Derangement Syndrome, Anna returns the favor by secretly fixing Peter on a date with Shay.
She tells Peter they will talk about Anna’s release from Ravencroft, but it’s actually a first date. Despite ending up with Peter escaping for Spider-Man duties, they enjoy each other’s company enough to make room for multiple dates after – all of which are interrupted by Spider-Man duties or because Peter flakes on Shay for the same reasons. That all changes in this issue, where Peter flakes one too many times and decides to prioritize his date for once – all thanks to Shay.
That changed Peter Parker’s mind
Could he love Shea more than Mary Jane?
It’s too early in their dynamic right now to say that Peter loves Shay, but the fact that the prospect of just exploring their relationship is enough to convince Peter to prioritize something other than crime-fighting is a good sign of things to come. In this issue, It is Shay’s understanding of Peter’s old responsibility motive that comes through to Peter. She reminds him that as much as he has all the responsibility to who knows what, he still has a responsibility to his wants, needs, and ultimately, himself.
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Before this issue, she was completely understanding (to a fault) of Peter’s constant withdrawal without explanation and without knowing he was a superhero, but here, She helps Peter understand what he needs as Peter before Spider-Man. Already, Shay has proven to be a voice of reason when Peter needs one, helping him balance civilian life with superhero duties in ways he can’t figure out, even with Mary Jane Watson. In just a handful of dates with Shay, he seems to have finally nailed the scale down. Xi’s future in Spider-ManHis life looks bright.