CBR: SPIDER-ISLAND HOPPING: A 6-Armed Shocker & Villainous Masterminds

[CBR News]

Dan Slott and assistant editor Ellie Pyle spend some time SPIDER-ISLAND HOPPING, detailing Reed Richards novel vaccine against the virus, the mastermind pulling the Jackal's strings and more.


Full article here.

[stillanerd]

This issue also had some fun and interesting implications for Pete's ex-girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. Early in the issue, we sort of feel sorry for her because she's one of the few people in New York that's not infected, though she clearly would love to have spider powers. We later learn all is not what it seems when Reed Richards explains why certain Manhattan residents haven't been infected by the virus. So what exactly is going on with Mary Jane?

Slott: Reed explains that the virus in "Spider-Island" only affects normal human beings. If you're genetically altered, like Marvel super heroes who've gone through an "origin," or if you're a mutant, you're not effected. It appears that the purpose of the virus is to replace Homo Sapiens with Homo Arachnus. Anything that isn't strictly Homo Sapien is ignored.

There are lots of heroes in the Marvel Universe who are normal humans, though: Hawkeye, right now Herc is a mere mortal, Shang-Chi -- you could even say Steve Rogers is a normal human who was pushed up to the ultimate form of Homo Sapien by science. So there are a lot of people who can get the virus that are still heroes.

That obviously leaves the big question of what's up with Mary Jane? Is she an altered human? Is she a mutant? Can she somehow be a super hero and just doesn't know it? What's going on? Why isn't Mary Jane affected? Why?

So, this is another mystery that you're juggling. Is it a mystery we'll get an answer to before "Spider-Island" is over?

Slott: Totally. It's a mystery that must be revealed before the end of "Spider-Island."

And thus my crazy off-the-wall theory that Mary Jane got spider-powers thanks to the shenanigans of the mindwipe spell using Extremis in One Moment in Time has now REALLY gotten some traction.

[AXL]

And thus my crazy off-the-wall theory that Mary Jane got spider-powers thanks the shenanigans of the mindwipe spell using Extremis in One Moment in Time has now REALLY gotten some traction.

You're right. Now it makes sense. lol

[stillanerd]

You're right. Now it makes sense. lol

Well, this IS comics, after all.

But, in case folks need a refresher for what my crazy theory was: http://www.spidermanreviews.com/2011...or-spider.html Or read the "condensed" version:

I stated before that I think Peter gave MJ his powers during One Moment in Time--specifically the moment he left Dr. Strange's protective bubble to bring MJ in so she would still remember he was Spider-Man, and thus exposed both himself and MJ to Tony Stark's Extremis nanovirus, which if you remember was the delivery system for Strange's spell. This would also explain what happened to Peter's organic webshooters and powers he acquired from the Other.

At least I hope it really isn't the result of a "Spidey Transmitted Disease" that came about from all the times Peter and MJ were intimate over the years.

[CyberHubbs]

If stillanerd is right about his theory, Slott should sign a comic for him. 'Cause it's a pretty off-the-wall theory.

[fallenpenguin]

so, when do we get Spider-Island: The Unfriendly Neighborhood Spider-Mayor? :)

[E. Wilson]

Okay, I figured it was most likely the Queen by part one, but I wasn't particularly proud of myself, because there simply wasn't anyone else it could be.

[John Ossie]

And thus my crazy off-the-wall theory that Mary Jane got spider-powers thanks to the shenanigans of the mindwipe spell using Extremis in One Moment in Time has now REALLY gotten some traction.

Slott's answer did seem to give your theory more traction.

[Dog]

It only lends traction to the idea that she has powers; there's nothing to say how she got them. Could be anything.

[John Ossie]

It only lends traction to the idea that she has powers; there's nothing to say how she got them. Could be anything.

Fair enough but how'd she get them then ? I'm only asking because it looks like the infection is not the reason why she has powers and I can't think of any other way that she could've got them. Unless maybe something to do with Reed's giving people powers machine gives her Spider powers instead of being able to know where North is power ?.

[Dog]

Fair enough but how'd she get them then ? I'm only asking because it looks like the infection is not the reason why she has powers and I can't think of any other way that she could've got them.

Dan Slott is more creative than we are.

Not saying it can't be due to the psychic wammy, just that there are myriad other possibilities we might not imagine.

[oldschool]

Dan Slott is more creative than we are.

Not saying it can't be due to the psychic wammy, just that there are myriad other possibilities we might not imagine.

Could be the--*ahem*---prolonged exposure she had to Peter's, uh, y'know....

[Dog]

Could be the--*ahem*---prolonged exposure she had to Peter's, uh, y'know....

Which is an interesting idea, considering he ruled out that possibility for how Carlie got her spider-powers. "Hey, if it didn't happen to Mary Jane, how could it... oh shit."

Maybe that's what the "I'm Spider-Man" teaser is getting at, too. "Hey babe, I'm Spider-Man, which means, as I've just found out, if we keep knockin' dem boots, you'll be Spider-Forensics-Cop permanently. That's why I've had all those headaches and early meetings lately."

[ragalang]

Maybe that's what the "I'm Spider-Man" teaser is getting at, too. "Hey babe, I'm Spider-Man, which means, as I've just found out, if we keep knockin' dem boots, you'll be Spider-Forensics-Cop permanently. That's why I've had all those headaches and early meetings lately."

Seeing how Carlie loved the spider-powers, Pete is going to get so raped.

[Mister Mets]

I've heard a theory that MJ may have, um, built up an immunity over the years through exposure to Peter's fluids.

Which could be a fun dynamic when Carlie finds out.