Ultimate Spider-Man: Dumped
Issue: #78
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: J. D. Smith

Mary Jane Watson has been spending most of the day in the girl's bathroom. Liz Allen stops in to tell her that Mr. Perez has given her detention for skipping her class. MJ is upset because Peter has broken up with her. Unable to get MJ to talk about it, Liz finally leaves.

In class, the teacher is berating his students for not watching the DVD he assigned them for homework. Peter and MJ are stuck sitting next to each other, and Peter can't stand it any more. He walks out of class. When the teacher tells him to sit down, Peter replies that he could teach the class, and leaves. Liz tells MJ to hang out with her after class.

At the mall food court, Liz is making conversation, but MJ is tuning her out. As MJ stands up to leave, Flash Thompson walks over and starts complimenting MJ on her looks. Disgusted, both MJ and Liz are ready to walk, but Flash admits that's not what he really came over to talk about. Flash points to a young man with dark hair sitting at a table -- Mark Raxton. Raxton had said he was interested in MJ, so Flash came over to tell her. Raxton interrupts at this point and tells Flash to get lost. He apologizes for Flash's behavior and explains that Flash thought he was doing Raxton a favor.

In the middle of chatting about Flash, guys in general and other topics, Raxton reveals that he plays in a band, and invites both girls to come see them perform. Flash yells across the room that they have practice, and both guys leave. Later that night, MJ, Liz and Kong attend the concert. MJ notices someone in a Spider-Man suit, but he pulls off the mask to reveal that he's not Peter.

After the concert, Raxton finds MJ and offers to drive her home. Liz and Kong leave together, and MJ and Raxton get into his car. During the drive, Raxton talks about comic book creater Will Eisner, and how Eisner's work with visuals is an inspiration. Raxton wants to do something similar with music. MJ tells him she's thinking about becoming an actress, then admits she really wants to be a teacher. She's never told anyone that before. Raxton leans over and kisses her, then apologizes when he sees the shocked look on her face.

The conversation turns to MJ's break-up with Peter. MJ says that she needs to grow up, that Peter might have been right to break up with her, and that even though he probably hates her right now, her feelings for him haven't changed. She still loves him and wants to get him back. When Raxton asks what's so special about Peter, MJ replies, "Everything."


Submitted By: Seldes Katne