Synopsis
Amazing Spider-Man, The (1963 series) #641 synopsis by
Rob Johnson
Rating:
Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson continue talking about what broke them apart. They've reached the time at Dr Strange's place where Peter made 1 of his wrong decisions. But MJ isn't so sure it was wrong anymore.
In that past DrS has gone to the astral plane where unbeknownst to Spider-Man he has summoned Reed Richards and Tony Stark for a conference. Tony expresses doubts about Stephen's plan to erase everyone's memory of Spidey's identity. He reminds him and Reed that the 2 of them did something similar for Sentry, which failed in the end. Strange says it worked for a while, and saved the planet. And the 3 of them combined should be able to do better.
Stephen also reminds Tony that both of them have regained their secret identities in the past, and Peter deserves the same chance. Stark tries to counter that Parker's problem didn't start when he revealed his identity during Civil War, but when he chose the anti-Registration side and forfeited the protection of being an Avenger. Strange doesn't dignify that with an argument. Instead he hits a nerve by saying that they have a chance to save Peter, unlike Steve Rogers who is dead.
Tony agrees to help wipe everyone's memory, even their own. But Reed disagrees with that last bit. He says that when they removed memory of Sentry they left Dr Strange with the knowledge. But that was shortsighted. Someone should remember in case of future problems, but leaving it as 1 person is risky. For backup all 3 of them should remember. Tony still thinks the opposite. (They don't seem to resolve the argument, but I think they do it Tony's way.)
The plan involves Dr Strange and Mr Fantastic combining magic, computing and genetics to create an anamnesis virus that will wipe out all knowledge and records of Spider-Man's secret id. But such a thing is difficult to control, and only Tony Stark's Extremis-enhanced system can do the job. If his system is up to it.
While waiting for Dr Strange to return Peter stands watch over MJ who's in a healing trance after her injuries last issue. He remembers that she has known he is Spider-Man almost from the beginning, and spent a lifetime aware of the danger she's been in. He swears it will be different after this. He also remembers that (in the new reality as revealed in #639) MJ wouldn't marry him and have kids while he remained Spider-Man. He (selfishly) hopes that when she doesn't know he's Spidey that will change.
Dr Strange comes back from the astral plane with the virus spell. He creates a magic sphere and sends Peter inside, telling him that this will protect him from forgetting too. After this Peter will be the only 1 who remembers he's Spider-Man. But as the spell starts Peter dashes out of the protection and drags unconscious MJ in with him. He says she must know the truth too.
When the spell storm abates Dr Strange is, as planned, unconscious too - so that Spider-Man can leave with MJ without DrS having to know they were here. He takes her back to their motel.
When she awakes the next morning Peter explains what happened. MJ is visibly unhappy, so Peter protests that it was the only way to protect her and their loved ones. But that's not what has upset her. She wants to know why he didn't let her forget too.
She'll now continue to worry that his identity will get exposed again. Before it was just a vague threat. But now she has seen the results, with killers stalking his Aunt May, her Aunt Anna and herself, and threatening the rest of her family too. She can't take being in his life anymore. (So this is why they've been leading separate lives since then.)
Peter goes to visit the recovering Aunt May in hospital. While MJ leaves town.
In the present the returned MJ says she still loves him, but she's still not strong enough to cope with the situation. Peter should stop hoping to rekindle their relationship. He should go out to find a girl who is right for his life. They part as friends and Peter says it feels like a brand new day. (No, not that 1.)
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