Mary Jane News

This post relates to: Mary Jane, Spider-Man

Ha ha.  Even the voice actress has red hair. 

After a brief introduction two weeks ago, popular voiceover artist Vanessa Marshall brings Mary Jane Watson to animated life in the
character's first full episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" this Saturday, April 26. Entitled "Catalysts," the episode premieres at
10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Kids' WB! on The CW.

A veteran voiceover artist with credits ranging from animated films and television to video games and commercials, Marshall has embraced the role of Mary Jane, bringing forth all of the character's autonomous, free spirit.

"I always make sure my choices for Mary Jane are that of an independent thinker, that she's not concerned with what the people
around her think, which is an uncommon trait in teenage girls," Marshall says. "There's a distinct confidence about her that I try to
emulate."

Marshall earned a Masters Degree in Acting from NYU, however she has spent the majority of her career in the recording booth. While she admits her initial goal was to act on camera, voiceover work has allowed Marshall to have success in the entertainment business without having to endure the endless scrutiny of maintaining the "Hollywood look."

"A lot of the rejection in on-camera work comes because of how you look," explains Marshall, a radiant redhead much like her animated
character. "Voiceovers open up a great deal of creative freedom. I've played an African-American boy for 36 episodes of 'Grim & Evil" – so
I'm able to cross virtually all racial and gender lines, explore all kinds of new roles, and you just can't do that on camera. I have a
passion for acting – and in voiceovers, I get to bring it all to the microphone."

Marshall has crafted an extremely diverse resume, ranging from on-camera and voiceover acting to stand-up comedy, the creation of her
own one-woman show, and her current focus on penning a novel. Still, Marshall admits that the fanboy deeply embedded in her psyche leapt for joy when landing the role of Mary Jane.

"I was in the middle of doing a Honda commercial, and my knees went out from under me," Marshall says. "I rarely get to play a woman or a girl – it's always boys. So when my agent Cathey (Lizzio) called, she just said, 'Hello, is this Mary Jane?' Well, my knees fell out and I
hyperventilated. The commercial producers were very concerned. I don't think they understood how momentous that was. It's an absolute honor."

Interestingly, "Spider-Man" performances run in the family. Marshall has stepped into the role of Mary Jane Watson, and 20-something years ago, Marshall's mother, actress Joan Van Ark, voiced Spider Woman on the 1980s animated Spidey series. But it was Spidey's original material that initially caught Marshall's eye. An admitted comic book lover, Marshall is well-educated on the history of the character and enjoys keeping that knowledge in mind while giving voice to Mary Jane during her early, formative days.

"Mary Jane's character is incredibly complex," Marshall says. "Her strength plays a major part in Peter's growth and maturation – she
really keeps him on the straight and narrow. Even though our characters are still only in high school during this cartoon, and
you're not going to get a lot of that character development at this point of the series, I know it's going to be there in the future and
so that has an effect on how I play her now."

This post relates to: Tombstone, Mary Jane, Spider-Man

So what did everyone think?  I wasn't too crazy about the big reveal of the "Big Man."  Guess I've never been a huge fan of Tombstone, except for the pizza.  Love that Tombstone pizza.  Sure it's of the cheaper frozen variety but it's still some good eatin'.  The nostalgic part of me wanted Fredrick Foswell to be the Big Man just like he was waaaaay back in the 60s.  Sure that was before my time but I read all the back issues and reprints when I first started reading Spidey.  But since Foswell hadn't been a part of the show, it wouldn't have been as impactful as Foswell's reveal was.  Maybe it's still to come...

The other big reveal...Mary Jane, finally.  I was a little worried.  I don't think Gwen looks exactly as she should but MJ looks like she should.

What about next week?  Some kinda bad news.  Not a new episode.  How about a tease for after that?

The all-new April 12 episode, entitled "The Invisible Hand," not only featured the debut of Rhino, but also the first reveal of the Big Man,
aka Tombstone, and the initial glimpse of Mary Jane Watson.

This coming Saturday, April 19, will feature a pair of repeat episodes ("Market Forces" and "Competition"), and an all-new episode will
premiere the following Saturday, April 26 with the first appearance of an extremely well-known Spider-Man foe. The Incredible Hulk? Nope.
Kermit the Frog? Nah. But they all share a similar attribute. Stay tuned for advance images from the April 26 "Catalysts" episode and more Spidey news of note.

This post relates to: Aunt May, Joe Quesada, Marko Djurdjevic, Mary Jane, J. Michael Straczynski, Spider-Man

So nothing really happened in the first issue.  I'm saying it now, I'm really going to be pissed if this doesn't go well.  I am sooo tired of Spidey getting shat on.  How is he supposed to be true to character with all his wise-cracks if he's just constantly getting dumped on.  It's not making him more "interesting" to me.  I'm tired of hearing and reading about how Spider-Man being married has affected the character.  Or people can't relate to him.  At $3.99 an issue now, who the heck do they think is buying this issue.  I read in Wizard how most of the "kids" reading Spider-Man have only known him as being married.  I think it's pretty lame if it's just a matter that the writers can't write a married super-hero. 

One will fail him.



One will save him.



One will damn him.



ONE MORE DAY



This Fall… An Era Ends.



FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #24 (JUL072140)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
“ONE MORE DAY” Part 2
50/50 Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated A …$3.99
FOC—09/20/07, On-Sale—10/10/07


SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #41 (AUG072202)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
50/50 Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
“ONE MORE DAY” Part 3
Rated A …$3.99
FOC—10/11/07, On-Sale—10/31/07


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #545 (SEP072177)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
50/50 Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
“ONE MORE DAY” PART 4
Rated A …$3.99
FOC—11/8/07, On-Sale—11/28/07

This post relates to: Aunt May, Mary Jane, Spider-Man

I'm actually scared about this.  Leave the poor guy alone already.

The most controversial storyline in Marvel history begins today, as Amazing Spider-Man #544 marks the first chapter of One More Day! As Aunt May lies in a coma, and Peter remains a fugitive from justice, the wall-crawler will face the hardest decision of his life. How far do you go to save the ones you love? What’s the cost of doing the right thing? Written by the acclaimed J. Michael Straczynski, who redefined the wall-crawler for a new generation and penciled by Joe Quesada, one of the industry’s most popular artists and Marvel’s Editor-In-Chief, this storyline will tie together story threads seeded throughout JMS’ six year tenure!

When this four-part story concludes, nothing will ever be the same for Peter Parker, as his decision affects the past, present and future of everyone’s favorite wall crawler! Each extra-sized issue of One More Day not only features two must-have covers—one by Quesada himself and another by acclaimed artist Marko Djurdjevic—but is also packed with Director’s Cut style extras!

With great power comes great responsibility…and an even greater burden. You can’t afford to miss this emotional tour de force that will challenge Peter Parker at his very core and leave readers breathless, beginning in Amazing Spider-Man #544! And it’s in stores NOW!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #544 (JUL072139)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
50/50 Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
"One More Day," Part 1 of 4
Rated A …$3.99
On-Sale—NOW!

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #24 (JUL072140)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
50/50 Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
"One More Day," Part 2 of 4
Rated A …$3.99
FOC—9/20/07, On-Sale—10/10/07

This post relates to: Spider-Man, Mary Jane

Uh oh.  Dum dum dum duuuuum...

The End Of An Era.



Amazing Spider-Man #545

This post relates to: Spider-Man, J. Michael Straczynski, Joe Quesada, Mary Jane

Argh!  Variant covers!  At least they're offering them in a 50/50 ratio.  I like when we have a choice in which cover we want.  I "get" the idea behind the dealer incentive ones but unless you have a super nice comic shop owner (like I do), you probably will  never even see those unless it has a huge price tag on it.  This story is bound to be crazy.  I'm a little afraid of what will happen to poor Peter.  Will Aunt May die?  Will Mary Jane die?  Will Peter and MJ split?  Notice that he's back in the red and blues.

This post relates to: Marvel Zombies, Mary Jane, Robert Kirkman, Arthur Suydam, Sean Phillips

Funny stuff...

Marvel is proud to announce the unprecedented fifth printing of the Marvel Zombies HC, the critically acclaimed hardcover that has readers chomping at the bit for more of that tasty Zombie goodness! Continuing the Marvel Zombies tradition of new stunning Arthur Suydam covers for each printing, this collection’s cover features a brand new homage to Mary Jane #1! Written by fan favorite Robert Kirkman (Ultimate X-Men) and penciled by Eisner-nominated artist Sean Phillips (Criminal), Marvel Zombies presents a horrifying view of the near future where Marvel’s heroes and villains become zombies. Why does this happen? Who will lead the resistance? And just who makes the best snack for Hank Pym?

Collecting Marvel Zombies #1-5, this hardcover is a must-read for Marvel fans new and old and with this brand new Arthur Suydam cover, how can you not hit the jackpot? Like the other four printings of this hardcover—which have all placed in Diamond’s top ten list each month they shipped—it won’t be around for too long. Don’t miss your chance to own a copy this summer!

MARVEL ZOMBIES HC MARY JANE ZOMBIE COVER (APR078063)
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Penciled by SEAN PHILLIPS
New Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
FOC—6/14/07, On-Sale—7/18/07

This post relates to: Spider-Man, Venom, Mary Jane

Well, unless you were in a cave this weekend I assume you saw Spider-Man 3, because apparently everyone did and it made some huge bank. Here's the direct report from Marvel:

And on an even larger scale, Spider-Man 3 now has the biggest world-wide opening ever with roughly $375 million ($227 million spread across 107 countries and $148 million domestically).

It's funny that just a couple weeks ago everyone was amazed at the $275 million budget the film had. Chump change friends, it's already $100 million in the black on the first weekend. Anyone who thinks that the series will not continue after this cash cow installment is dellusional. SuperHeroHype reports on the state of affairs of Spider-Man 4:

Will the "Spider-Man" franchise become the next James Bond or Star Trek, two of the longest series of films in history? It might happen, as Sony Pictures chief executive Michael Lynton told BBC News that "everybody has every intention of making a fourth, a fifth and a sixth and on and on."

This post relates to: Gwen Stacy, Sandman, Harry Osborn, Venom, Mary Jane, Spider-Man

IGN has a bunch of video clips for Spider-Man 3, including Eddie Brock turning into Venom for the first time and a fight scene with Sandman.  It's hard to not watch them.  Man, I cannot wait.  I'm taking the day off.  Gotta see it in IMAX. 

media.movies.ign.com/media/041/041073/vids_1.html

This post relates to: Green Goblin, Mary Jane, Spider-Man

Buckshot sent in some links that confirm that indeed, there is a Spider-Man musical currently taking form. This Playbill report details readings being planned for a new musical to be developed by none other then Julie Taymor (of Lion King fame). With Taymore on board this is almost 100% going to be a real broadway musical. Just what could the story be in a Spider-Man musical you ask? Quote below:

The character breakdowns provide some insight to plot points as the character Arachne ("female, 20-35 years old, any ethnicity") is described as "a beautiful, boastful young woman turned into a spider for her hubris and lack of respect for the gods. She subsequently appears to Peter Parker and the audience as in turn a powerful spider-woman who comes from another time to inspire Peter; an otherworldly lover; a bride; a terrifying (and sexy) dark goddess of vengeance; a dance partner in a charged and violent spiders dance of death; and, finally, a lonely, fragile young woman." Casting is seeking a "strong Celtic, Balkan style, e.g., Sinead O'Connor," noting, "outside the box ideas are welcomed. Could be someone from the music industry."

Also, a "Geek Chorus" consisting of "three teenage boys and one girl" are described to "meet to ritualistically retell the greatest Spider-Man stories."

Yes, I included the most incredibly "theatery" image of Spider-Man I could find. Just like Kevin Bacon, this Spider-Man just wants to dance.