Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #11
	Story Title: 'The MJ Thing' Writer: Sean McKeever Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa Colorist: Christina Strain Letterer: Dave Sharpe Cover Art: Tak, N. Lee & Strain Asst. Editor: Nathan Cosby Editor: Mark Paniccia Published by: Marvel Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

Countdown from five. That is how I am viewing this series now. Why five? Well, for one simple reason. It is five issues (including this one), until artist, Takeshi Miyazawa finishes his twenty-three issue long run (with the two previous Mary Jane and Mary Jane: Homecoming minis). The issue he departs from this title, so do I for even though the writing is okay enough, my interest in this title is mainly due to Miyazawa’s Manga-Lite style. By Manga-Lite I mean that although having quite few manga accents, the artwork here has none of the ‘it hurts my eyes’, saucer-sized eyes on football-sized heads on stick body styles of Japanese manga.

As for the story, once again, after a couple of issues focusing elsewhere, the limelight is back on MJ, both as the center of attention the story as well as of the characters in it. Drama night comes n’ goes and it does so in such great style that it makes MJ into a school celebrity, and that is what the majority of this issue is about. Along the way, all MJ-related characters make an appearance, from the newly united Liz and Flash, who have a tough time in even recognizing their friend from the under the drastic change she has undergone, to Spidey, who…well, he also has the same problem (both in costume and out). Even Harry, (of the Osborn family) shows, only to have MJ pull his own patent ‘ditch move’ on him.

All is well, everyone is happy (well, except Harry, but who cares about him), most of all MJ. As far as she is concerned, everything is spectacular, amazing, sensational even...and it for this exact reason that the ending of this issue becoming all the more emotionally hitting (not to mention, confusing). All is NOT well, and for the first time here, more than ever before, do we get a glimpse of the ‘party to hide pain’ system that the mainline (original comic version) MJ used to have.

Oh, almost forgot. Along with the main story, there is also a back-up, this one from Marvel’s ongoing crossover with some daytime soap drama. Me, I did not even bother reading it. Please feel free to do the same. Did check out the art though and except for the full-page shot of Wolverine and Spider-Man, it was…I’d rather not talk about it, especially in an ‘All-Age’ review. Do have one question though. What in blazes was Spider-Woman doing crouching on all fours on the wing of the landed quintjet?

Conclusion: A slightly odd, if a bit snobbishly annoying Mary Jane is what this issue brings forth, and more than her playing the part of a boy/man in her drama, it is this that truly proves MJ’s acting prowess.

RATING: 8/10