If you read the Spider-Man titles at all, you know that Paul Tobin has re-christened the character of Araña. She is now known as Spider-Girl. This is all well and good, and judging by the first couple stories, it’s a fun, well thought out series. My initial reaction to the name change was very vitriolic, though. The reason for this is that Marvel has (or had, I guess) a character named Spider-Girl for over 10 years! This is a character saved numerous times from cancellation by some truly devoted fans, of which I consider myself in their number. While I have gotten over my initial animosity for the ‘new’ Spider-Girl, and even though it seems like my Spider-Girl is gone for good, I feel it’s my duty to introduce people who may not be familiar with May “Mayday” Parker, the daughter of Spider-Man. Without further introductions, let’s dive right into the Secret Origin of… Spider-Girl!
Our story opens at a high school basketball game, the Midtown High Girls’ Basketball Team is facing a tough match against the Hollis Court Crusaders. All of a sudden, our narrator is telling us how the tides turned. All of a sudden, she is able to jump higher than ever to score a rebound, and as she makes her way down the court, a “strange tingling” seems to be telling her how to instinctively dodge her way to the basket making a truly spectacular, amazing, and maybe even “web of” dunk:
And that life is full of horrid dialog.
From the rafters, a shocked Peter and Mary Jane Parker discuss the repercussions of what has just happened. They ultimately decide to let things go and congratulate their daughter, even though an ominous shadow indicates that they wont being to keep the lid on things for long.
Ominous shadows aside, we'll learn Peter's goatee is the sanest hair choice in the book.
After the game, May is cavorting with her pals, which shows she straddles the line between her father’s introverted high school days and her mother’s outgoing nature. A young lady who can interact with both jocks and nerds? It truly is the future. Soon after, Pete and MJ and taking a moonlit walk, and they recap the untold tale of Spider-Man that culminated in the end of both Spider-Man and the original Green Goblin. It costs the Goblin his life, and Peter lost a leg. Finally realizing that his ultimate responsibility is to his family. Because of this, they thought it was unimportant to tell May about the sordid past. Looks like that will all change soon. Before you know it, May is off with her friend when suddenly, a pumpkin bomb comes out of nowhere! Only May’s newfound reflexes save her and her companions. Their attacker soon reveals himself and gives May an ultimatum:
"We Goblins aren't that creative, you see."
May is oblivious as to why such a villainous guy as the Goblin would want with her dad, She relates the news to MJ and Peter, and there is a the requisite freak out. The initial shock subsides and May is told to make sure her comrades are ok while Pete makes a few calls. Peter finds out that this particular Goblin is most likely Norman “Normie” Osborn, the grandson of the original. Peter and Mary Jane have yet another talk, but don’t take into account that May is eavesdropping. Peter says the “S” word and May’s life is changed forever.
"Does this mean technically, I'm a mutant? Awww, man..."
We leave May with her thoughts and cut to an undisclosed Goblin lair, as Normie pontificates to himself the depths of his hatred for Spider-Man, and by extension the Parker family. He lives for this, his final revenge. Really, it even says so on his chest.
Mock the OzMullet, he dares you.
While Peter explores avenues to protect his family, such as visiting the Fantastic Five and the “Avengers”, May explores her powers in the school gymnasium like a good Spider-Person should.
This isn't necessary to show you, I just love Spidey after-image shots.
Anyway, after this quick interlude, May confronts her mother with the truth and wants to know it all, as she feels she is entitled. Mary Jane takes her to the attic where she tells May about the end of Spider-Man’s career and why they thought it prudent to keep May from the truth. Mother and daughter reconcile, when all of a sudden May finds a different Spider-Man costume than what she’s used to seeing.
And I heard he made awesome rice, as well.
Let me take a step back here and just say I think it’s completely awesome that not only is the clone saga referenced here, it is a very clever way to give May her own “Uncle Ben”. Regardless of how you may or may not feel about Ben Reilly, that is a stroke of genius. Meanwhile, Peter has run out of avenues to pursue assistance, so he arrives at “the bridge” and is promptly attacked by Normie. Normie, who is obviously off his meds, is disappointed that Peter isn’t in his fighting togs. Peter tries to explain that Spider-Man died along with the original Green Goblin, but our young Mr. Osborn is having none of it. He threatens Pete, who is prepared to defend his family at any cost, and reveals he’s packing. Mary Jane arrives on the scene and implores Normie to put Peter down. Norman scoffs and crushes Peter’s gun, so I guess the old Goblin formula is still great at enhancing both strength and madness. Norman grabs MJ and once again gives with the threat until he gets Spider-Man. Then, suddenly, he gets his wish, kind of.
No snark here. This is an awesome splash.
Now the fight begins in earnest. Peter and MJ are forced to watch from the sidelines as Spider-Girl fights for all of their lives. It’s clear she’s pretty inexperienced, and the Goblin seems to have the advantage. During the course of the fight, May web swings for the first time, declaring it to be a bigger rush than basketball, even given the circumstances. May is savvy enough to keep Normie talking throughout the battle. She may not quip like her father, but she does eventually get into Normie’s head until he makes a huge mistake in judgment.
"All part of my plan, Spider-Girl HAHAH... Oh Wait."
The bomb does indeed ignite and as Normie falls from the sky into the path of an oncoming semi, May does the honorable thing and saves his life, proving her legacy and heroism. And while she’s all honorable and heroic and the whole nine, this guy did just try to slaughter her family, so as he bungees back to her due to web line recoil:
Cool move, but I still hate that line.
After this, Normie is hauled off to jail and all is well and good. We cut to the Parker’s backyard where all traces of the spider legacy are burned, left to live in the past where they belong, or so we think. Even though on the surface May agrees to bury the past, she’s had a taste of destiny and we’re assured that the career of Spider-Girl isn’t over yet!
And that’s the origin. I would normally end my article here, but I wanted to give this origin a bit of a postscript. As you may or may not know, this story was originally published in What If? #105. The response to the story was so overwhelming, that Spider-Girl soon got her own ongoing series. You might think this is unheard of, but the same thing happened to her dad when he appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15. Coincidence?
Anyway, our girl May went on to appear in two ongoing series, a few mini series and a handful of annuals. The trials and tribulations of her publishing history are well documented elsewhere on the web, but let me just say that passionate fans are the best fans. And I am sure sometime in the future one of those fans may well bring Spider-Girl back to slam heat all over again!