Amac Productions

Nothing says Merry Christmas like eviction.

Although, I suppose it’s perfect for the ‘Parker luck.’ After all, if you said there was a superhero getting evicted for Christmas, I bet only one guy comes to mind.

Peter Parker.

Isn’t that lovely?

In The Amazing Spider-Man #314, Peter, MJ, and Aunt May are on their way to the couple’s apartment when they’re given a notice of eviction from the landlord’s lawyer. They’ve got to get out and now.

Merry Christmas.

Apparently, the landlord – who is in jail – did not like being put in jail by Peter and MJ.

Even though he absolutely deserved to be there considering he stalked and kidnapped Mary Jane in an attempt to make her fall in love with him instead of Peter. If memory serves, I think he even tried or succeeded in faking her death so no one, especially Peter and Spider-Man wouldn’t come looking for her.

Nice guy, right?

Since he didn’t get his way, he’s going to now pout, and through a temper tantrum like any rich and powerful toddler would.

It’s also revealed in their lease or contract or whatever that MJ technically never bought the apartment which makes no real sense. It’s also a nice warning label for anyone reading this comic to always read through contracts or get an expert to look them over. Never sign anything without reading it first.

Live and learn.

They’d like to sue.

That’ll take forever which the landlord and lawyer are counting on.

I do love that it’s revealed that while it will take forever, MJ is pursuing it anyway. After reading more and more of The Amazing Spider-Man comics, I’ve come to appreciate her in a new light. She’s no pushover and that’s what really makes her suitable for Peter.

She’s not going to let some rich stalker push her around.

Love that.

Overall, this comic focus on Peter dealing with the idea that if he takes Aunt May up on her offer to move back into her house, he’s somehow going backwards. Which – honestly – I understand. However, the conclusion Peter draws at the end is the far more adult choice.

It’s the best option for him and MJ to get back on their feet. While he might have to hide his coming and goings as Spider-Man, he and his wife will be safe with a roof over their heads. He can still be an adult and live with his aunt. Not to mention, it’ll make them both happy and that’s what he wants.

He can also look after Aunt May.

The idea of not moving back in because you’ll lose independence is far more childish than admitting you need help.

Being adult means acknowledging that you can’t do everything. Sometimes, you need to ask family and friends for help. In this case, asking Aunt May is no worse or better than asking Flash for help.

Peter comes to this realization at his uncle’s grave when he sees Aunt May visiting as well.

It’s funny to me how self-centered Peter can be. Did he really think his aunt never visited his uncle’s grave? That he was the only one who came there for guidance?

She was married to him for years. Even with him gone, I imagine she still wishes she could talk to him about things.

If MJ died, you’d have a million things left to say. To ask her. All the conversations about the difficult things after a long life shared together and raising a child. Especially, when you’re the sole living relative to that child. It falls to her to continue guiding Peter through his life.

Because she is. Guiding him to make the right decision, because you’re not really making her feel like she can still help you, she is still helping you.

And she will always, until her last breath. Just like Uncle Ben.

I must also confess that I do find it weird that MJ didn’t fight more on where they were going to stay after Peter said he was lying about having a place to Aunt May.

However, there’s also a part of me based on the ending when she says she’s proud of him, that she was waiting for him to come to the right conclusion himself. She trusted him to make the right choice. Maybe if he’d continued being too stubborn for his own good, she might have felt compelled to step in.

But I like the thought that she trusted him enough to come to the right conclusion for them both.

Because Peter’s not alone anymore. He’s got a wife and they’re a team.

I also cannot tell you how cute it was to see May tsk about them kissing and tell them the mistletoe is in the other room. It so reminds me of the panel when MJ and Peter are getting ‘warm’ together in his room and May just walks in offering cocoa. Like yeah, they’re married.

Knock first.

I imagine you might find yourself in this situation a lot, living with a young couple.

This comic is a joy from start to finish. I even empathize with the villain who was sick of spending Christmas unappreciated and stepped on at work. While not a choice I would have made, I do get it.

I loved Peter who at one point was like come on, can I not catch a break?

A thought most of us have during the holiday season.

Then rising to the occasion anyway because that’s what you do. You make the cookies, you decorate the house, and you wrap gifts, and spend time with family. You make the memories happen for your kids and the people around you. Even when you feel like the world is crashing down around you.

Because here’s the thing, we’ve all got an Aunt May and MJ to catch us.

Even if it’s not romantic or family. We’ve got the person we turn to during the holidays and roll our eyes. The one we gossip with or commiserate with. Because sometimes, you need to Grinch it out to get through.

Sometimes, you need to scream at the injustice of it all before you can move forward and find answers.

Sometimes, while you’re looking for answers that other person is looking too. They find the lawyer to work on getting the money back so they can move somewhere else.

Holidays can bring people together.

I do love the little moments of this comic as Peter struggles but still manages to find some joy in the season. His friends are there for him the best they can be and his family as well. He swallows his pride and does what’s best for his family in their time of need. Forgetting about his silly independence, because he has it. Always will.

He doesn’t need anyone’s permission for that.

This comic is the right mix of holiday cheer with the typical ‘Parker luck’ and a sweet message during the holidays. A nice reminder that no matter how hard things get, there are good things to notice as well.

Like a nice lady giving you a snack for helping her.

That you have a loving aunt. A wonderful wife.

Good friends and some place to hang your hat. Even if it’s not what you planned.

Happy holidays! Merry Christmas!

Thanks for reading! Spread the love and read on!