The Gang War rages in New York, meaning it’s time for Mary jane Watson to debut a costumed identity like her ex, Peter. Your Major Spoilers review of Jackpot #1 from Marvel Comics awaits!
JACKPOT #1
Writer: Celeste Bronfman
Artist: Joey Vazquez with Eric Gapstur
Colorist: Edgar Delgado with Erick Arciniega
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Editor: Nick Lowe
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 17, 2024
Previously in Jackpot: New York City is in chaos as the super-powered criminal gangs are at war, and it’s all hands on deck! It’s a baptism by fire, but, come on, this is Mary Jane.
What CAN’T she handle!?
SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM
After spending an unspecified amount of time in another dimension, marrying and adopting children, Mary Jane Watson has returned to Earth-616. Though their children have been erased from reality, she and her sorta/kinda husband Paul are making a go of their relationship, while she uses her newly-acquired Power Slots device to make a go of a superhero career. This issue begins with Jackpot facing down Francine “Electro” Frye, and nearly ruining everything when her random electrical powers actually supercharge the villain. Flashback to a few hours earlier, as Mary Jane and Paul get caught in the Gang War that rages across New York City, trapped in between the forces of Big Ben and those of Madame Masque. Back in the present, Mary Jane takes a page from her ex’s book, vowing to defeat Electro and keep her from using Mary Jane’s own powers to change the balance of power in the war.
After all, with random powers come random responsibilities.
A CALLBACK TO AN EARLIER DAY
Fifteen years ago, during a particularly gimmicky era of Spider-Man, a Jackpot character, resembling Mary Jane, popped up briefly, but never really stuck around, thanks in part to complicated nonsense retcons around her actual identity. The fact that Mary Jane got superpowers in an alternate dimension that evoke the name is a pretty extreme coincidence, but if you can get past that, this issue reads pretty smoothly. There are some awkward moments of dialogue, and the upshot of the issue is that Mary Jane has learned a lot from Peter, a common theme in the last few years. But add in the art of Vazquez and Gaptur and you’ve got a really successful debut for our new hero. The depiction of her powers is well done, and very dynamic, contrasting with Paul’s role as mission control, waiting and worrying from their apartment and helping to regulate her abilities.
BOTTOM LINE: NOT EXACTLY A FIRST APPEARANCE, BUT…
Though Jackpot #1 isn’t the first appearance of the woman, the powers, or the identity, it makes for a fun first outing for a new superhero, and if you can deal with the fact that Spider-Man continuity means it will be erased in a year or three, there’s a lot of well-crafted comic book drama to be had here, earning 3 out of 5 stars overall. If fans can get past the fifteen-year-old grudge about the first Jackpot tease and lean in, Mary Jane makes for a charismatic and fun protagonist.
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JACKPOT #1
It's a little odd, and will absolutely be retconned away in a few years, but Mary Jane's first official outing as a costumed superhero isn't bad at all, and the art is quite good.
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Writing4
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Art7
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Coloring7
Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.
1 Comment
This book was awful and a horrible debut with some of most hackneyed sad dad jokes it’s been my misfortune to read. The art was also choppy, pointing to Nick Lowe’s office being yet again highly unorganized and not knowing what it is doing with a second artist needing to finish the issue. Mary Jane’s powers were nonsensical and were just whatever writer Celeste bronfman needed them to be, and Bronfman apparently can’t do even the most basic research because she turned MJ into a bad actress who couldn’t fool Francine even though MJ easily took down Francine during the Nick Spencer run with only her acting skills. Jackpot? More like Hackpot.