Spider-Man is one of the most iconic and beloved superheroes of all time. First introduced in 1962, Spider-Man has been featured in countless comic books, TV shows, movies, video games and more over the past 60 years. With his signature red and blue suit, spider web shooters, superhuman agility and spider senses, Spider-Man has cemented himself as a legendary pop culture figure.
One of the most intriguing parts of Spider-Man’s story has always been his romantic relationships. Spider-Man’s primary love interests in the comics have included Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, and Felicia Hardy aka Black Cat. These love stories have provided some of the most dramatic, heartfelt and impactful moments throughout Spider-Man’s history. And of course, what would a great love story be without passionate kisses?
Gwen Stacy
Gwen Stacy was Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s first real girlfriend. They met in college while Peter was studying science under Dr. Curtis Connors. Gwen was a beautiful, intelligent blonde who captured Peter’s heart. Their early relationship was charming but faced many obstacles, as Peter’s superhero activities often caused him to break plans with Gwen unexpectedly.
Gwen and Peter shared their first kiss in The Amazing Spider-Man #56 in 1968. It was after a date on Valentine’s Day when they kissed goodnight. This moment marked the official beginning of their romantic relationship. Several more tender kisses followed during a period where things seemed to be going well for the couple.
However, their happiness came to a tragic end when Gwen was killed by the Green Goblin in issue #121 in 1973. Gwen’s death was a defining moment for Spider-Man, proving to be one of the most impactful events in comics history. Their first kiss all the way back in issue #56 marked the beginning of a romance cut short, leaving an everlasting impact on Peter.
Mary Jane Watson
Mary Jane “MJ” Watson was initially introduced as a potential blind date for Peter Parker, but eventually became his most iconic love interest. After Gwen Stacy’s death, Peter found himself drawn to MJ and a romance blossomed between them.
Peter and MJ’s first kiss happened unexpectedly in The Amazing Spider-Man #143 in 1975. As Spider-Man, Peter visits MJ in her apartment through her window after missing a date. When he removes his mask, MJ is moved with emotion and kisses him.
This was the start of an epic romance between the two characters across comics, TV shows and movies for decades to come. Peter and MJ shared countless passionate kisses during their relationship, including an iconic upside down rain kiss in 2002’s Spider-Man film.
Felicia Hardy/Black Cat
Black Cat, whose real name is Felicia Hardy, is a cat burglar who has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Spider-Man over the years. With her tight black outfit, platinum blonde hair, flirtatious personality and martial arts skills, Black Cat has always exuded sensuality which strongly attracts Peter Parker.
Their first kiss happened in The Amazing Spider-Man #226 in 1982 after Spider-Man saves Black Cat from a dangerous situation. Out of gratitude, Black Cat surprises him with a sudden kiss, although Spider-Man is hesitant to kiss her back due to his relationship with Mary Jane.
Black Cat and Spider-Man continued to share passionate kisses sporadically throughout the 1980s and beyond. Their kisses were often exciting yet forbidden due to Peter’s commitment to Mary Jane, making them star-crossed lovers of sorts.
Other Kisses
In addition to his major love interests, Spider-Man has also shared memorable kisses with other women over the years:
- Liz Allen – Peter’s high school girlfriend, they shared a kiss in The Amazing Spider-Man #4
- Betty Brant – Secretary at the Daily Bugle, she had a brief romance with Peter
- Carlie Cooper – Peter’s girlfriend for a time after he regained his body following Doc Ock’s possession
- Silk – A new superhero inspired by Spider-Man with powers similar to his own
Spider-Man’s duties as a superhero often conflict with his romantic pursuits. Nonetheless, his various relationships have created many iconic and dramatic kisses throughout his long history in comics.
Analysis of Kisses By Year
Looking at when Spider-Man’s famous first kisses took place provides interesting insight into the trends and prominence of his major love interests over time.
| Love Interest | First Kiss | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Gwen Stacy | The Amazing Spider-Man #56 | 1968 |
| Mary Jane Watson | The Amazing Spider-Man #143 | 1975 |
| Felicia Hardy/Black Cat | The Amazing Spider-Man #226 | 1982 |
Based on this data, we can see that Gwen Stacy was Peter’s first real romantic love in the 1960s. After her death in 1973, Mary Jane Watson became Peter’s primary love interest starting in the mid-1970s. Black Cat emerged as a temptress and forbidden lover type in the 1980s.
The timing of these first kisses reflect Peter Parker coming of age both as a teenager in the 60s and young adult in the 70s/80s. His relationships evolved as he matured over the course of decades of comics storytelling.
Kisses By Decade
Further analyzing Spider-Man’s kisses by decade provides more insight into relationship trends:
| Decade | Notable Kisses |
|---|---|
| 1960s | Gwen Stacy (first romance) |
| 1970s | Mary Jane Watson (becomes Peter’s primary love) |
| 1980s | Felicia Hardy/Black Cat (exciting but forbidden) |
| 1990s | Mary Jane Watson (marriage) |
| 2000s | Mary Jane Watson (movies), Carlie Cooper |
| 2010s | Silk (new superpowered romance) |
In the 1960s, Gwen Stacy as Spider-Man’s high school sweetheart encapsulated youthful teen romance. Mary Jane Watson’s emergence in the 1970s allowed the love story to mature into adulthood. The dangerous excitement of Black Cat added passion in the 1980s as Peter Parker became a grown man.
The marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson was a big focus of Spider-Man storytelling in the 1990s. In the 2000s, Spider-Man movie kisses thrilled audiences while new love interests like Carlie Cooper emerged. Since 2010, unique romances like Silk have formed as Spider-Man continues to evolve.
Kisses by Medium
Spider-Man’s kisses have also spanned various mediums as the character has flourished in different forms of media:
| Medium | Notable Kisses |
|---|---|
| Comics (1960s-present) | Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, Black Cat |
| TV (1960s-present) | Mary Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy |
| Movies (2002-present) | Mary Jane Watson (upside down kiss) |
| Video Games (1982-present) | Mary Jane Watson, Black Cat |
Spider-Man’s comic book history contains his richest romantic development with Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane, and Black Cat over decades. Animated TV shows aimed at younger audiences focused on lighter and more innocent romance with Gwen and Mary Jane.
In film, the iconic upside down rain kiss with Mary Jane Watson in 2002 delighted movie audiences. Video games starting in the 1980s allowed players to experience Spider-Man’s romances through interactive gameplay sequences.
Each medium has highlighted different aspects of Spider-Man’s love life – comics tell the full dramatic saga, TV emphasizes innocence, movies deliver iconic moments, and games provide interactivity.
Conclusion
Spider-Man’s history features some of the most memorable and impactful comic book romances ever told. The women who have kissed Spider-Man reflect an evolution from adolescent love with Gwen Stacy to mature relationships with Mary Jane and Black Cat.
These kisses have thrilled comic book readers for decades as they’ve related to Spider-Man’s love life at different stages. The passion of movie kisses and interactivity of video games have further allowed fans to connect with Spider-Man’s romances in new ways.
Few superheroes have experienced the breadth of love stories that Spider-Man has enjoyed. Whoever has kissed Spider-Man, it’s clear these romances have profoundly shaped the character into one of the most beloved icons of all.
