Mary Jane Watson

Few supporting characters in Marvel history have transcended that label quite like Mary Jane Watson, who burst onto the Silver Age scene in The Amazing Spider-Man #25 in 1965, conjured by the legendary creative duo of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Over six decades and 813 catalog appearances — 30 of them collector-recognized key issues — she has woven herself into the very fabric of Spider-Man's world, sharing countless adventures alongside Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson, and Flash Thompson across the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man and Ultimate Spider-Man. She is one of those rare figures whose presence elevates every story around her, a constant, vibrant thread running from the Silver Age all the way through to today's comics. If you're building a serious Spider-Man collection, her appearances aren't just recommended reading — they're essential.