Mysterio in the MC2

Yes, Spider-Man: Far From Home has just hit cinemas. No, I'm not going to review it. I don't like to be too negative on this blog if I can avoid it. But I will be shamelessly cashing in on it's popularity by talking about Quentin Beck aka Mysterio in the MC2! 

So where is Mysterio in the MC2? Short answer: He's almost certainly dead. Long answer? Well...that requires a little history lesson. As I've previously touched on in my History of the MC2: Daredevil post, it appears that the events of the 'Guardian Devil' arc published in Daredevil (vol. 2) #1-8 unfolded in much the same manner in the MC2 as in the Main Marvel Universe, except for the break up of Foggy Nelson and Liz Osborn in #8 as they remained a couple and eventually married in the MC2. With 'Guardian Devil' playing out in the MC2 as it did in the Main Marvel Universe, that means that Quentin Beck, the original Mysterio also committed suicide as depicted in Daredevil (vol. 2) #7.

But if you aren't convinced, let's take a look at more evidence. The Spider-Man Family one-shot comic published in 2005 features a lengthy flashback to an adventure involving Spider-Man meeting Araña and uncovering a revenge plot by the villainous Jack O' Lantern aka Maguire Beck. So why is this relevant? Because -as Peter explains to May- Maguire Beck was out for revenge for her deceased relative, Quentin Beck aka Mysterio. 

Now here's where it gets a little bit complicated. Maguire Beck was only officially revealed in a mini-series called Spider-Man: The Mysterio Manifesto published in 2001 to address several loose plot threads surrounding Mysterio, including why a Mysterio claiming to be the original was seemingly back from the dead in the Spider-Man titles around that time. As an aside, I should mention that the mini-series retconned Maguire as one of the two people behind the super villainous Jack O' Lantern who first appeared in Spectacular Spider-Man #243, written by J.M. DeMatteis and published in 1997. The mini-series seems to suggest Maguire's partner in crime, Daniel Berkhart was posing as the original Mysterio at the time, a fact clarified in the Official Handbooks.

With all of that out of the way, these various stories support the idea that not only did Quentin Beck kill himself in the MC2 as he did in the Main Marvel Universe, but that at least some version of the events depicted in The Mysterio Manifesto must have occurred for Peter Parker to learn of Maguire's identity and motives as demonstrated in the Spider-Man Family story. Rest in Peace, Mysterio.

On another related side-note, I should mention that both the Spider-Man: The Mysterio Manifesto mini-series and the Spider-Man Family story were written by none other than MC2-alumni Tom Defalco. Despite this, Manifesto seems to imply that Maguire is Quentin's cousin whereas the Spider-Man Family story explicitly states she is Quentin's niece. A small goof, perhaps?

 Mysterio Manifesto also makes reference to Quentin Beck's father and uncle, both of whom were first referenced in Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #1 (1999) which was written by J.M. DeMatteis. I mention this because it's a nice use of established continuity but also because it helps reinforce the idea that Maguire's father was Quentin's uncle. It's also possible Maguire Beck simply called Quentin her 'uncle' colloquially, as a term of endearment and there's another unseen sibling of Quentin who had a daughter, though there's nothing to support this idea. There are even a few references to the Webspinners story in Daredevil (vol. 2) #7, tying all these Mysterio connections together. 

So there you have it; some version the events depicted in Daredevil (vol. 2) #1-7, Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #1-3 and even Spider-Man: The Mysterio Manifesto #1-3 also played out in the MC2 and we know this all because their was such tightly linked continuity across various writers, artists, titles and characters. 

I have to give special thanks to regular reader and frequent co-conspirator arias-98105 for help with this topic as well as to the wonderful Marvel Appendix Profile for Maguire Beck which can be found here.

Until I stop diving down mysterious and complicated rabbit holes, I remain

frogoat

LGBT+ Representation in the MC2

I've been somewhat short on free time lately, but I wanted to put out something to commemorate Pride Month before it's too late. So, today I'm going to take a look at LGBT+ representation in the MC2 comics.

While today it's well known that Felicia Hardy aka the Black Cat is bisexual in the Main Marvel Universe as revealed in Kevin Smith's Spider-Man and Black Cat mini series 'The Evil That Men Do', it's far less commonly known that the idea originates from her MC2 counterpart. First appearing in Spider-Girl #36, we learn that the MC2's Felicia Hardy married Eugene 'Flash' Thompson and had two children, Gene and Felicity. Later, the two would divorce and Felicia began a relationship with a contract operative from her detective agency; Diana. 

Diana first appears in Spider-Girl #47, where we learn about her and Felicia's relationship. The two had been together for six years when Felicia decided to leave Paris and return to New York so her daughter Felicity could re-establish a relationship with her father Flash Thompson. 

Unfortunately, the relationship is not without issues. Felicity, apparently angry toward her mother about the divorce, often lashes out at Felicia. Felicia mentions on more than one occasion that her and Felicity do not get along. Felicia confides to Mary Jane that she believes Felicity does not approve of her relationship.

The best part about Felicia and Diana's relationship is the way it's as a normal, loving relationship, complete with it's problems. Notably, the idea of Felicia being anything but heterosexual is introduced in a regular panel on a regular page without any big dramatic reveal. Mary Jane already knows, it's a long-term thing and nobody makes a big deal about it. Except for Felicity....

Though, as mentioned above Felicity has a lot of mixed up emotions including her depression, unresolved anger and resentment about her parents divorce, with Felicity believing her mother considers her a burden.

Keeping in mind the storyline played out between 2001 and 2002, it's worth mentioning the real-world reaction to the subplot. Spider-Girl #47, which depicted nothing more salacious than Felicia and Diana holding hands, prompted one reader to send a letter into the series' letter page, published in Spider-Girl #54:

There were no letters pages for a few issues, until Spider-Girl #57 saw two letters published in response to the original letter:

Meanwhile, on the Alvaro Spider-Girl Message Board, fan reactions were mostly positive:

Mostly likely as a result of two near-cancellations with issues #38 and #50 followed by an impending cancellation with #61, many of Spider-Girl's subplots were streamlined, promptly resolved or fell by the wayside. Unfortunately, the plotline revolving around Felicia, Diana and Felicity wasn't resolved and, following the series un-cancellation, it would be over 20 issues before Felicity would be seen again, with Felicia and Diana seemingly being lost in the lurch entirely.

Mainly because of some fan circles online it would be remiss of me not to mention the widely believed that the character is struggling with her own sexual identity. I think perhaps this topic deserves it's own post, so I might touch on it in-depth at a later date. Needless to say, Felicia certainly mentions wanting to be Mayday's 'partner' an awful lot. 

While the depiction of a regular same-sex couple might seem fairly commonplace nowadays, keep in mind this was nearly 20 years ago. I commend the creative team Tom Defalco, Pat Olliffe and everyone involved because this type of representation was sorely lacking at the time. It certainly meant a lot to a confused late-bloomer growing up. I hope everyone had a wonderful Pride Month and continues to hold their heads high until next year!



Until the flags stop flying, I remain


frogoat