Sean McKeever, writer of the Spider-Man loves Mary Jane book at Marvel is a man of few words, it seems:
The new MJ artist is …David Hahn.Expect a proper press release with art later this week, along with an interview with me about it on Comic Book Resources.
I mention this for completely selfish reasons - After getting the seal of approval from Tom Brevoort and Johanna Draper Carlson lately (and falling for the bizarre charms of some scanned pages), I’m wondering whether I should pick up one of the digests of this series or not… Will it appeal to the part of me that digs Gilmore Girls and The OC…? You people are intelligent. Tell me whether I should save my money or not.
Yes, you should give it a try. The writing is compelling and fun without being melodramatic or preachy.
It is worth it.
(I watch Gilmore Girls myself)
Comment by Ian — November 28, 2006 @ 12:51 pm
I highly recommend it. One of my favorite current series…even if the comic shop owner here looks at me funny when I buy it. It’ll definitely appeal to the Gilmore Girls-liking part of you, I think.
Comment by Dave — November 28, 2006 @ 12:56 pm
This series is absolutely worth every penny. It’s great for the part of you tha likes Gilmore Girls and the first season of The OC. For me, Spider-man Loves Mary Jane (and the books that came before it) has always been the Everwood of comics. I just hope it lasts longer.
Comment by Josh — November 28, 2006 @ 12:59 pm
If you like GG and the OC, you’ll like Mary Jane, though it’s a good deal more melancholy at times, but McKeever is an extremely skilled writer that the series never becomes a downer.
Plus, with Hahn drawing, you’re paying for possible future editions of his excellent series Private Beach.
Comment by Dan Coyle: No Turning Back — November 28, 2006 @ 1:13 pm
I love “Gilmore Girls” thought he last two season’s haven’t been as good as what came before. I also love “Grey’s Anatomy” and character driven dramas. If you feel even remotely simular, you couldn’t help but like the book.
Comment by dale — November 28, 2006 @ 1:14 pm
“Simular” isn’t a word, god damn it!
Comment by Derek B. Haas — November 28, 2006 @ 1:16 pm
Two words - Public Library - lets you try it without spending the money - if yours doesn’t have it, they can get it via Inter Library Loan (ILL). Also, in some states, library funding is tied to circulation numbers, so you could be helping the library too!
Comment by Pat — November 28, 2006 @ 1:31 pm
Graeme: I wouldn’t watch the OC in a coma, but you should go right now and buy the MJ digests. As much as I like Ultimate Spider-Man (the only Spidey comic I currently read) McKeever’s version of the characters (especially the girls) are a little more rounded. It’s a great little book to have in the world.
And David Hahn: FLAWLESS VICTORY.
//\Oo/\\
Comment by Matthew Craig — November 28, 2006 @ 1:40 pm
Crap. Appealing to the Gilmore Girls crowd sucks me right in too. Guess I’ll be checking it out as well.
Comment by Michael May — November 28, 2006 @ 2:54 pm
I would watch the OC if it was the only thing on TV but I do watch the Gilmore Girls and I do read Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane and it is awesome. You’ll love it.
Comment by Jesse — November 28, 2006 @ 2:56 pm
If you have a Target nearby, go there and check out their kid’s section. They should have the Spidey Hearts MJ magazine-size, uh, magazine of the first four or five issues for five bucks. Quite a steal, that.
While you’re there, get Jeff Parker’s Marvel Adventures Avengers for the same price. Best Avengers book on the stands, if only for Wolver “Not Allowed To Cut Living Things” Rine and The Incredible “Banner probably cashing Hulk’s checks!” Hulk.
Seriously, five bucks. Totally worth it.
Comment by david brothers — November 28, 2006 @ 3:01 pm
Wouldn’t i mean. I wouldn’t watch the OC if it was the only thing on tv.
Comment by Jesse — November 28, 2006 @ 3:06 pm
Good news and all, but man, David Hahn is never going to get back to Private Beach, is he?
Comment by Bill D. — November 28, 2006 @ 4:08 pm
It’s a great book. Buy it, Buy it Buy it!
Comment by Fortress Keeper — November 28, 2006 @ 5:24 pm
I’m behind on the series, but what I’ve read of it has been solid. This is a series that plays to McKeever’s strengths in characterization.
Comment by Lyle — November 28, 2006 @ 6:01 pm
The Mary Jane and digests are wonderful.
The stories are smart and the dialogue is clever. McKeever is able to hit genuine emotional and touching notes without making it seem cheesy or overwrought.
It’s one of my favorite books but then I think the current Power Pack is tons of fun and CANNOT WAIT for the Franklin Richards collection.
Comment by Jose Mochove — November 28, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
Buy it. Totally worth every penny and don’t let the clerk give you a hard time (mine did, and I worked there!) because it’s pretty much all sorts of awesome. It’s more than just light fluffy romance, there are some really nice, subtle, non-jarring dark moments mixed in with the fun.
Comment by dafnap — November 30, 2006 @ 12:39 am