The most obscure version of Spider-Man finally returns after more than two decades of absence. Throughout the years, Marvel has introduced dozens of different Spider-Men. Some of them are multiversal variants, some of them are clones, some of them are knock-offs, and a select few don’t fall within any of these descriptions.
With Peter Parker busy teaming up with Rocket Raccoon light years away from home, Venom and Mary Jane continue to be lethal protectors in New York. Their enemies aren’t limited to Spider-Man villains, though. They just fought Madame Masque and are on the verge of facing Knull.
Before the King in Black arrives on Earth in search of revenge against Venom, Mary Jane is dealing with a few, more mundane problems.
Lobster-Man Returns 23 Years After His Amazing Spider-Man Debut
Venom #250; Written by Al Ewing & Charles Soule; Art by Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, and Todd Nauck
In Venom #250, Mary Jane’s agent Meredith explains that MJ’s career has stagnated, and that if she wants to recover it, she has to take on some unpleasant projects at first. The first project would be a new installment in the Lobster-Man franchise, introduced way back in 2002’s Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #43. Back then, MJ played Cynthia LaVenus, Lobster-Man’s romantic interest.
As her first major movie role at the time, Cynthia LaVenus was MJ’s ticket to Hollywood. Unfortunately, the movie’s producer made it clear that the character would only be in the movie because her scenes in lingerie would attract audiences and her death would motivate Lobster-Man. Of course, Lobster-Man isn’t a project MJ is remotely proud of.
What’s more, Lobster-Man actor Rick Turk explained the character to MJ backstage, telling MJ that a superhero would find time for his loved ones and be there when they need him. At the time, MJ resented Peter Parker’s Spider-Man duties, which only made her Lobster-Man experience worse. Years later, MJ finds herself in Peter’s spot: she doesn’t have time for her personal life due to her Venom duties.
Marvel’s Version Of Hollywood Has A Lot Of Untapped Potential
Hollywood Must Be Wild In The Marvel Universe
Hollywood must secretly be one of the wildest corners of Marvel lore. With superheroes, gods, and aliens constantly reshaping the world, the entertainment industry in the Marvel Universe should change to reflect that reality. The superhero genre alone must look completely different when world-threatening battles are everyday news. Although Mary Jane Watson and Wonder Man inhabit this niche, Marvel rarely explores what filmmaking even looks like in such a world.
With MJ once again trying to break into Hollywood, Venom has a unique opportunity to revisit Marvel’s fictional filmmaking scene. The last time MJ starred in a fictional superhero flick, Lobster-Man was covering the usual tropes of the genre. If Marvel leans in, Lobster-Man could highlight how the superhero movie genre has evolved in-universe, probably with satire elements that poke fun at the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Venom #250 is available from Marvel Comics.