Just like regular people, superheroes need a little bit of love every now and then. And yes, this does include the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
When Peter isn’t off saving the world, he’s just a high school kid (one who is top of his class and wildly smart that is). Despite his global popularity as a masked hero, Peter Parker’s double life complicates the dating scene but this doesn’t stop him. Two of Peter’s greatest love interests in the Spider-Man franchise are Gwen Stacy from Andrew Garfield’s spidey days and Michelle AKA MJ from the more recent Spider-Man films, Homecoming and Far From Home. The question is, who is the best lady for Peter? Gwen or MJ? Well, here are five reasons why they are both his perfect match.
10 Gwen: An Insanely Smart Bookworm
Gwen Stacy is Peter Parker’s ideal match when it comes to brains. Any Spider-Man fan knows that Gwen is incredibly smart. Her big brains help her become a brilliant scientist, scoring her a position as a senior researcher at Oscorp Industries, a multibillion-dollar corporation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that deals with things like military research, experimental science, cross-species genetics.
Gwen might not have spidey senses but her brain is her superpower and it compliments Peter perfectly. When both of their great minds work together to save the world they’re unstoppable.
9 MJ: Finds Ways To Challenge Peter
Michelle, known to her friends and to Peter as MJ, emerges in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man saga. She compliments Peter’s playful personality perfectly with her unique ability to challenge him and the things he says.
In a scene from Spider-Man Far From Home, Peter compliments MJ by telling her she looks pretty. She looks at him with a deadpan face and says, “and therefore I have value?” Stunned, Peter doesn’t know what to say. It’s great to see someone leave him speechless for once since he’s quite the chatterbox and MJ is the only one who can do this. She certainly knows how to keep Peter on his toes.
8 Gwen: Supports Peter No Matter What
Whenever Peter struggles, Gwen is right by his side. She helps him become the hero he is meant to be in so many different ways from giving him the inside scoop on important information she uncovers from her job as a researcher at Oscorp to helping him clean his battle wounds and offering emotional support.
Even though the pair go through their rough patches and breakup due to Peter’s fear of losing Gwen because of the responsibility and dangers that surround him as Spider-man, the two still think of one another and love each other all the same. They are truly the perfect pair.
7 MJ: She’s One Of The Most Dynamic And Interesting Spider-Man Love Interests
MJ is one of the most developed, dynamic, and interesting Spider-Man love interests in spidey history. Unlike the classic Mary Jane Watson character from the first saga of Spider-Man movies, there’s something about Michelle that’s real and relatable.
Instead of the struggling actress type like Mary Jane was, Michelle is intelligent, studious, and independent. Not only is she a practicing feminist but she’s aware of systematic forms of oppression, demonstrated when she refused to go to the Washington Monument on a class trip because it’s likely that it was built by slaves. All in all, Michelle has her own unique interests and quirks, making her perfect for the quirkiest one of all, Peter Parker.
6 Gwen: Always Says What’s On Her Mind
Gwen is extremely intelligent, independent, and headstrong. No matter the situation, she likes to tell it like it is and always says what’s on her mind.
Not even the fact that Peter is The Amazing Spider-Man stops her from sharing what she’s thinking. For example, when Peter and Gwen break up, she takes the situation into her own hands and doesn’t let Peter end things with her. Instead, she ends their relationship on her terms by saying she is the one who is breaking up with him. Now that’s a power move.
5 MJ: Her Superpower Is Her Eagle Eyes
In Spider-Man Homecoming, Michelle makes the fact that she’s very observant clear. Throughout both the first and second movies, Spider-Man Homecoming and Far From Home, MJ notices Peter’s strange habit of disappearing in times of crisis which is coincidentally always the same time Spider-Man shows up to save the day.
From the get-go, viewers know MJ is on to something. So it’s no surprise that she discovers Peter’s secret. Her observation skills and ability to figure things out are her superpowers. Not to mention, the ideal traits to have when scoring a superhero boyfriend. This makes MJ perfect for Peter because she has the ability to help him with her FBI level detective skills every step of the way.
4 Gwen: Doesn’t Take No For An Answer
If there’s one thing Gwen Stacy doesn’t do, it’s take no for an answer. In the famous scene leading up to Gwen’s untimely and tragic demise, she insists on helping Peter defeat the Green Goblin.
Even though Peter warns her and tells her to get away from the soon-to-be violent encounter between him and the Green Goblin, Gwen doesn’t listen and does what it takes to help Spider-Man. In doing so, Gwen puts herself in danger and risks her life to help the person she loves most.
3 MJ: Mature Beyond Her Years
While Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is playful and boyish, Spider-Man Homecoming‘s MJ is mature beyond her years. Unlike most of her high school peers, MJ’s head isn’t in the clouds. She’s not thinking about parties, boys, or popularity, instead, she keeps to herself with her head buried in books and her eyes on Peter.
MJ’s mature personality is a stark contrast to Peter’s playful and boyish charm. However, as the saying goes, opposites attract, and this applies to MJ and Peter. The two are the perfect pair because they help balance each other out.
2 Gwen: Witty And Charming In A Goofy Way
Gwen Stacy knows she’s extremely smart, beautiful, and charming. With all of these traits, how could Peter Parker not fall for her?
In a scene from The Amazing Spider-Man, Peter finally builds up the courage to ask Gwen out on a date, Gwen can sense that he’s nervous and awkward around her. Instead of treating him like the outcast he is, she jokes around with him, giggles, and flirts in a goofy kind of way. Just from watching this scene, it’s obvious that Gwen accepts Peter’s awkward quirks and he hers. The two are perfect for each other in every way.
1 MJ: Cool, Calm, Collected, Strong And Brave
MJ always manages to keep a cool, calm, and collected demeanor even when she’s staring down the barrel of crisis. In Spider-Man Far From Home, monsters attack her and her classmates while on a school trip in Europe. For everyone else, panic ensues but MJ manages to stay calm and out of trouble by running to a safe spot, hiding, and watching the action unfold.
Her reaction to giant monsters proves how strong and brave Michelle is. Any normal person would scream and run for the hills rather than silently slip away. Since Spider-Man is always surrounded by supervillains and monsters, Michelle’s calmness in terrifying and life-threatening situations makes her a great love match for Spider-Man.
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