Amazing Spider-Man #561
Photo Finished
Some Time Ago
At the Dali house, Kenneth Dali and his wife argue over what to do about their daughter Piper, who was accidentally subjected to Kenneth’s dimensional compressor device. It has left Piper, a huge fan of actor Bobby Carr, a one-dimensional being. As her parents continue to argue, Piper watches her favorite Bobby Carr movie — wherein the lead actress plays Piper, the love interest of Bobby’s character. Piper has created a self-delusion that Bobby Carr is actually in love with her and decides to run away to be with him. When Piper’s parents force themselves into her locked bedroom they are shocked to discover that Piper is gone.
Now
Paper Doll has just read the latest gossip about Bobby Carr and is furious to learn that he is seeing some mystery girlfriend that the papers are calling “the one”. Refusing to accept this Paper Doll and decides to pay a visit to Bobby Carr’s mansion.
There, Mary Jane Watson can’t take being shut in and suggests that they go out and do something. Bobby insists that their romance needs to remain a secret because he doesn’t want their romance to be public. Mary Jane sees right through Bobby’s cheesy lines and tells her that she isn’t just another one of his flings and that she is one in a million. Outside, Spider-Man is in a nearby tree trying to get a photo of Bobby Carr’s new girlfriend, unaware that it is his ex, Mary Jane. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get his camera in focus in time to get a photo of her face.[1] As he struggles to get another shot, Spider-Man thinks back to recent developments at the DB that has had him acting like a paparazzi.
Earlier
Peter Parker had entered the office of DB owner Dexter Bennett as he is arguing with Joe Robertson about the paper’s obsession with Bobby Carr gossip. Since those who have been photographed having alterations with Carr have been attacked by Paper Doll or killed, he demands that Dexter stop. When Bennett can only see how this is boosting circulation, Joe Robertson has had enough and quits.[2] As Joe stormed out of the office, Dexter Bennett asked Peter if he is a team player and Peter reluctantly agrees.
Now
As Spider-Man tries to get another shot there is a flash of light somewhere on the property that attracts his attention. Setting the camera to automatic, Spider-Man goes to look around and finds that one of Bobby’s bodyguards has become a victim of Paper Doll. As Spider-Man is dealing with the other security guards, Bobby and Mary Jane are discussing the idea of having some of her friends over. That’s when Paper Doll appears in Bobby’s bed. Hearing screams from inside the house, Spider-Man quickly wraps up the guards in webbing and rushes inside.
By this time, Mary Jane fights off Paper Doll and locks herself in Bobby’s panic room. As Bobby struggles with Paper Doll, she accidentally cuts his face. She stops to apologize and is hit with a barrage of web balls fired by Spider-Man. While Spider-Man battles Paper Doll, she is helped by Mary Jane who is watching from the panic room’s security cameras. Spider-Man finds the voice familiar, but all Mary Jane will say is that she is Bobby Carr’s mystery girlfriend and that they once met a lifetime ago. While Bobby is complaining about the damage done, Spider-Man tells him to get out of there. This leaves the wall-crawler open and Paper Doll uses her powers to flatten one of Spider-Man’s arms. This causes Spider-Man to remember something Carlie Cooper said about one of the victims of Paper Doll’s flattening powers caused them to suffocate.
Shoving his hand over Paper’s face she can’t breathe and tries to pull away. Spider-Man then forces her out the window and into the outdoor swimming pool below. There, Spider-Man holds Paper Doll under water long enough for her to resume her three-dimensional form as she rushes up to get some fresh air. On the surface, Bobby Carr calls her overusing the lines from the movie that she loved. However, when she gets close enough Bobby punches her out. Later, after Spider-Man has webbed Paper to the ground, and his arm starts returning to its normal shape. he asks why Bobby didn’t go to the panic room with his mystery girlfriend. Bobby says that Paper didn’t just invade his home, but his private life, saying that the Bobby Carr the world sees is just a mask and doesn’t want to expose his private life to the world. This makes the wall-crawler finally understand Bobby’s need for privacy. That’s when Mary Jane tells him over the intecom that the police arrive and he leaves.
Later
At the DB, Peter holds out the memory card for his camera saying that he has photos of Spider-Man’s battle with Paper Doll and possibly the identity of Bobby Carr’s new girlfriend. He is willing to give Dexter one but not the other. When Dexter demands the photos of Carr’s girlfriend, Peter definitely snaps the memory card. This angers Bennett so much that he fires Peter Parker on the spot.
Later that day, Peter’s friends and Aunt May are all helping him move into the apartment he will be sharing with Vin Gonzales. Carlie thanks Vin for allowing Peter to move in.[3] As Vin attempts to find the courage to ask her out, Peter comes in and thanks Carlie for her help and kisses her on the cheek. Seeing Carlie blush makes Vin clam up. That’s when Harry Osborn comes to lend a hand who has come to help Peter move in after hearing what happened to Peter’s career as a paparazzi from Betty Brant. He realizes that Peter made a mistake and forgives him, pointing out that he’s made his share of his own in the past. Peter then takes the opportunity to pay back Harry the rest of the money he owes Harry. As he watches his friends helping him move in, Peter realizes how content he feels right now and that everything he needs is right there.
Meanwhile, Mary Jane is at the airport waiting for her flight back to Los Angeles, debating if she should call Peter or not. She is interrupted by a woman named Sara Ehret who asks Mary Jane if she can get her autograph.[4] When Sara asks if Mary Jane is coming back this way anytime soon, she admits that she doesn’t know for sure.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Paper Doll, Bobby Carr, Mary Jane Watson, Joe Robertson, Dexter Bennett, Betty Brant, Carlie Cooper, Glory Grant, Vin Gonzales, Lily Hollister, Harry Osborn, Sara Ehret
Continuity Notes
Although he doesn’t know it’s Mary Jane, Peter comments that the woman in Bobby Carr’s house has the same hairline as Jackpot. This is a red herring the writers are using to trick readers into thinking Jackpot is actually Mary Jane Watson. This is not the case, as we’ll learn in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #35. Jackpot is actually a woman named Alana Jobson.
Joe Robertson states here that he was waiting for J. Jonah Jameson to take back control of the Daily Bugle. Jameson’s wife, Marla Madison, sold the Bugle to Dexter Bennett in Amazing Spider-Man #547 after Jonah suffered a heart attack in the previous issue.
Peter has been living with his Aunt May since he and Mary Jane broke up in Amazing Spider-Man #545. Carlie suggested that Vin have Peter move in with him in Amazing Spider-Man #555.
Sara Ehret here was first seen in Amazing Spider-Man #551, this is another red herring regarding the true identity of Jackpot. Sara mentions how Mary Jane used to be on the soap opera Secret Hospital. Mary Jane appeared on Secret Hospital from Amazing Spider-Man #324 but her character was phased out around Amazing Spider-Man #386. Sara also asks where Mary Jane came up with her famous “Face it Tiger, you hit the jackpot!” line. Mary Jane said this on the day she first met Peter Parker face-to-face in Amazing Spider-Man #42.
