Amazing Spider-Man #15-#42


Amazing Spider-Man #15 introduces Anna May Watson, neighbour to May and Peter Parker. Aunt May
sets up an un-willing Peter on a blind date with Anna's niece, who lives with her. Peter at this time has
enough woman trouble on his hands dating an insecure Betty Brant while Liz Allan has a crush on him.
The date is cancelled at the last minute. Peter dates Betty, and helps Liz with her studies during the next few
issues, while Aunt May attempts to pursuade him to date Anna's niece to no avail.

In Amazing Spider-Man #25, the niece is visiting at Aunt May's house. She meets Liz Allan and Betty
Brant, but Peter is not there. Her name is revealed as Mary-Jane. We only see a partial view, but Liz and
Brant think that she is very attractive, and view her as a rival to their intentions on Peter.

Following that, Peter starts college where he meets Gwen Stacy in ASM #31. Liz Allan disappears, she is not
going to college, and wants to forget her silly crush on Peter. Betty Brant is proposed to by Ned Leeds (their
co-worker at the Daily Bugle) and departs in confusion for the West Coast. Peter also moves out of home,
while Aunt May gets very sick and goes to hospital.

In ASM #38 Peter just misses meeting Mary-Jane Watson. In ASM #41 he realises just how attractive Gwen
Stacy is, but later that issue Anna Watson invites Peter and his Aunt around for Sunday dinner. In issue
#42 Gwen invites Peter to a party on Sunday night, but he is sadly already booked. At the end of issue #42
Peter and May arrive at Anna's house, and Peter meets Mary-Jane. He is stunned by her good looks and
vitality.

Peter and Mary-Jane have several fun dates, but Mary-Jane refuses to take any one man too seriously.
Eventually Peter and Gwen fall into a steady relationship, often double-dating with Harry and Mary-Jane,
while Flash Thompson gets drafted into the army.