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Annual 2001: Amazing Spider-Man
WRITER:  Howard Mackie
PENCILLER:  Joe Bennett
INKER:  Sandu Florea
STORY TITLE: Passages
REVIEW: 
ACT 1: Although this is Howard Mackie’s last issue of Spider-Man, it is undoubtedly one of the best action-less storyline of the year. Peter is ecstatic to have Mary Jane returned to him safe and sound after supposedly having been killed in a plane explosion.

This story deals particularly with the aftermath of their reunion: how Peter and Mary Jane’s friends and family reacted to her return as well as the rest of the nation. This unfortunately leads to some obscene phone calls from news agency believing this was some sort of publicity stunt on the part of Mary Jane. Peter is frustrated at them for being so cruel and heartless. Mary Jane persuades Peter to calm down, as there is nothing he can do about this situation: “Not worth it, Tiger. Let it go. People are going to think what they want to.”

ACT 2: Later, as they are cleaning up the attic, a draft of wind suddenly closes the attic door, sending the room in total darkness. As Mary Jane goes to open the door but it won’t budge. She begs Peter to open it (being held captive by her kidnapper psychologically affected her). Peter comes over and opens the door without any difficulty. Mary Jane then runs outside. Peter comes over: “You don’t have to do this alone, MJ.“ As they embrace, Mary Jane looks worried.

ACT 3: After a well-deserved meal cooked by Aunt May, Peter leaves to take a nap as the ladies do the dishes. (Typical male!) After helping out Aunt May with the dishes, MJ sits down and starts looking at pictures of when Peter and her were young kids. Peter comes over and they start talking and kissing...all of a sudden a loud noise his heard from outside. Peter looks out the window and sees a large column of smoke going up in the air. He tells MJ that “the police and fire department can handle it.” A second later, a news broadcast is heard on the television which announces that terrorists have laid siege to United Nations Plaza. Peter tells MJ the Avengers will probably handle it and stays put. But then as Peter sees the image of people running around on TV, his greater sense of responsibility makes him put the costume back on again to go save the day. MJ is again left alone in the room.

ACT 4: As she browses through old pictures, she comes across photos of Peter and her on their wedding day, as well as some of them when they first started to date. She interrupts her thoughts as she asks herself “Where are you, Peter? Where am I? I need you, Peter. I need you to be...here...with me. I need...” Peter returns. MJ is staring blankly at him. He asks if everything is okay. She answers that they’ve got to talk. They go out for a walk.

ACT 5: As they walk, they discuss of their relationship and Mary Jane explains that although Peter is the man she’s fell in love with, she believes they need some time apart. Peter agrees that they do need time and that he will be there for her when she wants to return to him.

ACT 6: Peter looks out as the sun rises...