Webbing Bells, It’s a Marvelous Life
The wall crawler has met the ultimate spider-slayer, Mary Jane Watson, in her Will Smith-designed wedding gown.
He has escaped the villainous clutches of Dr. Octopus, the Kingpin, the Hobgoblin, the Green Goblin and even Kraven the Hunter, but the friendly neighborhood Spider-man was finally snared on June 5, 1987 before a sellout crowd of 51,402 at New York’s Shea Stadium.
The superhero’s co-creator Stan Lee was there to join the web-slinger to his longtime love, model/actress Mary Jane Watson in weblock. The wedding party included Spidey super friends Firestar, Iceman, the Hulk and Captain America. The Green Goblin made a rare return-from-the-dead appearance. The bride and groom entered through centerfield in separate limousines, making their way to the white heart-shaped altar from which Stan the Man presided over the ceremony.
Spidey puckers up to kiss MJ.
“Now, in the sight and presence of a coterie of our other costumed crusaders, please prepare to recite your vows,” announced Lee. “Do you, Spider-man, being of sound mind and super body, take Mary Jane to be your lawfully wedded bride, forsaking all other superheroines? Do you promise to never leave footprints on the ceiling, or cobwebs in the corners? And do you agree to pinch-hit for the Mets if they ask you?” Spider-sense tingling, the groom replied, “I do.”
“Mary Jane, do you, being of sound mind and spectacular body, agree to forsake other masked Marvelites,” Lee continued, “to never, ever swat a spider, and to hug, comfort and kiss away any bruises incurred after a long day of bashing bad guys—and stay out of the Mets’ locker room?”
After a moment’s thought, Mary Jane echoed, “I do.”
“The rings please,” said Lee, “”Repeat after me—With this ring I thee web,” and both participants did so.
“By the power vested in me by Marvel Comics,” said Lee, “I now pronounce you Spider-man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
With this, Spidey carried the new Mrs. Peter Parker off to their limo and they drove off to tumultuous applause. The remaining superheroes and villain hoisted Stan Lee on their shoulders and carried him off the field.
—Jim McLernon
| Spider-man’s Wedding at Shea Stadium | ||
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| Stan Lee and the Incredible Hulk watch as MJ and Spidey prepare for weblock. | Stan Lee and the Marvel-ous wedding party watch MJ and Spider-man. | |
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| Stan Lee was the Justice of the Peace who united the couple in weblock. | Amidst the cheers of fans at New York’s Shea Stadium, Stan Lee pronounces the couple Spider-man and wife. |
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| The superheroes and villain hoisted Stan Lee on their shoulders | The Marvelous wedding party waves to the happy couple. | |
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| The Marvel Superheroes and Stan the Man wave good-bye to the newlyweds. | Spidey carried the new Mrs. Peter Parker off to their limo and they drove off. | |