Honestly, if you told a Spider-Man fan five years ago that Mary Jane Watson would be swinging around New York with a black-and-white alien living in her bloodstream, they would’ve laughed you out of the comic shop. But here we are in 2026, and the All-New Venom isn't Eddie Brock or Dylan Brock.
It’s MJ.
The reveal in All-New Venom #5 by Al Ewing and Carlos Gómez caught a lot of people off guard, even with the "Jackpot" era already pushing MJ into the superhero spotlight. But this isn't just another mantle swap for the sake of a gimmick. This is a messy, traumatic, and weirdly beautiful evolution of two characters who have a lot of history—most of it pretty bad.
The Accident That Changed Everything
You've probably heard the term "fusion" thrown around, but this wasn't some Dragon Ball Z dance. This was survival. During the Venom War crossover, MJ was operating as Jackpot. Her tech—designed by her boyfriend Paul (yeah, that Paul)—was basically a glorified slot machine for superpowers. It was glitchy, it was dangerous, and eventually, it hit a "death combination" that started shredding MJ at a molecular level.
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Her skin was falling off. Her bones were literally turning to dust.
The Venom symbiote, which had been weakened and poisoned by its own drama with the Brock family, saw what was happening. It asked itself a single question: "What would Spider-Man do?" In a moment of genuine altruism, it bonded with MJ to keep her atoms from flying apart. Now, they're stuck. If they separate for too long, they both die. Talk about a bad roommate situation.
This Isn't Your Dad’s Venom
Unlike Eddie Brock, who used the symbiote to fuel his rage, or Flash Thompson, who used it as a soldier, MJ is bringing a "Face it, Tiger" energy to the role. She’s actually being a hero.
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- Public Perception: In the current 2026 arc, the government group S.C.A.R. is hunting symbiotes like they're monsters. MJ, being a former model and actress, knows how to play the media. She actually disguised herself as a red-and-blue Spider-Man recently just to get the public on her side.
- The Power Dynamic: The symbiote isn't just a suit here. It's MJ's clothes, her protection, and her constant companion. They bicker. A lot. It's a "buddy cop" vibe if the cops shared a nervous system.
- The Paul Problem: Let’s be real, the fandom's relationship with Paul has been... icy. In All-New Venom #6, we saw that this bond basically ended things with him. MJ realized his tech almost killed her, and more importantly, the symbiote absolutely hates the guy.
The "Death Spiral" and Peter Parker
We're currently heading into the Death Spiral event, and the stakes are getting personal. For months, MJ has been hiding her new identity from Peter. She’s terrified of how he’ll react. Remember, the symbiote once stalked her. It’s the source of some of her deepest trauma from the early days of their marriage (back when that was still canon).
But the secret is officially out.
In Amazing Spider-Man #23 and Venom #255, Peter finally sees what's under the mask. It’s not just a shock; it’s a total shift in their dynamic. Peter has spent decades trying to "protect" MJ, and now she’s the one out there tanking hits from a new serial killer named Torment who is making even Carnage look like a saint.
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Why This Actually Works (Nuance Alert)
Some fans hate this. They think MJ should be the "anchor" or the civilian who keeps Peter grounded. I get that. But after the character was put through the wringer during the Wells run, she needed agency. Making her the All-New Venom gives her a perspective she never had: she finally understands what it’s like to have the world hate you while you're trying to save it.
It’s bridging the gap between her and Peter in a way that "Jackpot" never could. She’s not just a hero with a gadget; she’s a host to a living, breathing legacy of Spider-Man’s mistakes.
What You Should Do Next
If you've been skipping the symbiote books, 2026 is the time to jump back in. The "street-level" focus Al Ewing is bringing to MJ's story is much more digestible than the "King in Black" cosmic gods stuff we've had lately.
- Start with All-New Venom #1-5: This covers the "Who is it?" mystery. It’s a fun whodunit with suspects like Luke Cage and Robbie Robertson.
- Pick up the Death Spiral Crossover: This is the current meat of the story where MJ, Peter, and Eddie Brock have to team up against Torment.
- Watch for ASM #1000: All of this MJ-as-Venom development is clearly leading toward the massive milestone issue later this year.
This isn't just a temporary costume change. It's a redemption arc for Mary Jane Watson and a chance for the Venom symbiote to finally be the hero it always claimed it wanted to be. Keep an eye on the Death Spiral checklist—things are about to get very messy for the Parker/Watson family.