Aunt May
Encyclopedia
May Reilly Parker-Jameson, commonly known as Aunt May, is a supporting character
in Marvel Comics
' Spider-Man
series. Created by writer Stan Lee
and artist Steve Ditko
, she first appeared as May Parker in Amazing Fantasy
#15 (August 1962). She has appeared in most other media adaptations of the character as an important part of the Spider-Man series.
In the main universe
continuum, Aunt May is aunt-by-marriage and surrogate mother of Peter Parker, who leads a secret life as Spider-Man. She is nurturing and supportive of Peter although, throughout most of Spider-Man's history, she has not known of his secret life and considers Spider-Man frightening.
After years as a widow, Aunt May married John Jonah Jameson, Sr. (father of long-time Spider-Man adversary J. Jonah Jameson
).
Reilly) was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 5. Originally a very naive girl in her youth who was about to fall for a small-time crook, she eventually discovered her affections for her schoolmate Ben Parker and married him.
After the death of their young nephew's parents, May and Ben took in the boy, Peter, and raised him at their home in the Forest Hills
section of Queens. Ben immediately took to the role of the boy's father, but May was at first reluctant. She still remembered her parents blaming her own birth for the destruction of their marriage, and she was afraid that Peter might signal the end of her own marriage. In time, however, she warmed up to Peter, who unexpectedly strengthened the couple's marriage. After Ben's death, life became a struggle with money problems though Peter did his best to help. Through these situations, May maintained a subtle undertone of inner strength which later leaned closer to stereotypical senility.
Peter's secret life as Spider-Man endlessly complicated both his and his aunt's lives. Aunt May lives in constant fear for her "frail" (but unaccountably secretive) nephew who insisted on a job as a freelance photographer. Parker was determined to capture Spider-Man in action, frequently submitting pictures of him to the Daily Bugle; Spider-Man is a vigilante whom Aunt May feared because of her unquestioning acceptance of the Daily Bugle
's smearing.
Peter fears for his aunt's well-being and the fatal shock that would result if she ever learned about his career as Spider-Man. This problem serves as an easy crutch for dramatic tension in the comics for years, with Peter being torn between dealing with major crises while his aunt needed nearly constant care. This conflict takes on an unusual turn when Aunt May had his enemy, Doctor Otto Octavius (also known as Doctor Octopus
) as an apparent sweetheart; Peter struggles to deal with his enemy's game while not hurting his aunt.
During a period of convalescence at a nursing home, May met the wheelchair-bound Nathan Lubensky. Gradually, May and Nathan fell in love with each other. She invited Nathan into her Forest Hills home after converting it into a boarding house, and the couple was briefly engaged. However, May's heart was broken when Nathan suffered a fatal heart attack while protecting her from being taken hostage by Adrian Toomes, the costumed villain known as the Vulture
. Not long thereafter, a guilt-stricken Toomes confronted May, begging her to forgive him for his role in Nathan's death (Ironically, Nathan had befriended Toomes when the two briefly resided at the same nursing home). May refused to do so, stating that only God could provide the villain with the type of redemption he was seeking.
In her most recent "death", the "Aunt May" who died shortly after learning of Peter's secret identity, was, in a widely-derided plot twist, revealed to be a "genetically-altered actress" who impersonated her while May was held captive by villains. May finally learns about her nephew's secret life. This resulted in a heartfelt discussion in which aunt and nephew confess their darkest secrets, and each learned that the other is far stronger than they had imagined. Afterward, Aunt May finds a new purpose in her life defending Spider-Man online while enjoying knowing that her actually robust nephew's previously mysterious behaviors such as his suddenly disappearances during times of crisis now made sense.
After their house was destroyed during Spider-Man's fight with Charlie Weiderman
, Peter, Aunt May, and Mary Jane Watson
moved into Stark Tower
(as Spider-Man had joined the Avengers
). Aunt May seemed to be developing a romantic relationship with the Avengers' butler, Jarvis
. May was quite a strong-willed woman and even the hard-nosed Wolverine
found it impossible to argue with her. During the Civil War
, she and Mary Jane convinced Peter to unmask himself in front of a press conference, and May even made a hand-stitched copy of his original costume. Later on, she was the target of the Chameleon
, but outwitted the villain by feeding him Ambien
-filled oatmeal-raisin cookies.
When Peter changed his mind about the Superhuman Registration Act, he had to move Aunt May, Mary Jane, and himself out of Stark Tower because Iron Man
was the leading supporter for the Act. The following issue, when Peter took Aunt May and Mary Jane to a sleazy motel for refuge, a prostitute witnessed Peter check into his room, and now knowing that Peter is Spider-Man, called up a crime organizer named 'Lucille' and put Peter's name down as a hit. The hit was made by an assassin named Jake Martino, who was ordered by the Kingpin
, except that instead of Peter Parker, Aunt May was shot in the stomach. Peter brought May to a hospital. It was then revealed that she has lapsed into a coma and would most likely die. Aunt May however, received a radioactive blood transfusion from Peter, which he hoped would once again save her life due to his mutated healing factor. Although healing factor is in his blood, the most recent issue of Amazing Spider-Man shows that the radioactivity had done nothing to her system. Peter believed she has built an immunity to his blood, considering this hadn't been the first time he gave blood to her.
However, it was revealed that May was not dead, as Peter and Mary Jane were forced to move May to a ward in another hospital. This was the result of a police investigation with Mary Jane as a prime suspect in what was erroneously believed to be a case of blood poisoning when traces of radioactivity from Peter's blood showed up in May's system.
The demon Mephisto
offered to restore Aunt May's health at great personal cost to Peter, his life, and his marriage to his wife, Mary Jane. Agreeing to the terms, Mary Jane and Peter had reality altered so that May lived, Spider-Man's identity was once again a secret, and Harry Osborn was still alive. The cost of Mephisto's offer was the erasure of Peter and Mary Jane's marriage.
At the beginning of Brand New Day
, May was doing volunteer work for a homeless shelter, run by the seemingly benevolent entrepreneur, Martin Li, who was in fact the supervillain crime boss, Mister Negative
. During her work at the shelter, she met John Jonah Jameson (the father of J. Jonah Jameson
) and started a relationship with him. The following issue, Peter caught the two of them in bed. However, he approved of this relationship, mainly because John supports Spider-Man, who had previously saved his life, and saw through Norman Osborn
as a thug who holds nothing but contempt for the people.
John walked with May in Central Park, and asked her to marry him, which May accepted. Despite Dr. Octopus' subconscious efforts to halt his former fiance's wedding plans, May and John were wedded by New York Mayor J. Jonah Jameson. After the wedding, May and John embarked on a round-the-world honeymoon.
It was recently revealed that Aunt May has several blood relatives that are still alive. Aunt May has a sister named Jan. May's first cousins Sam and Julia are the children of her uncle Bill and his wife Claudia. Peter was attracted to Julia's daughter Alexa. The Reilly family is currently staying in Aunt May's house.
Upon her return from her honeymoon, she stops by the FEAST offices, only to accidentally walk in on Martin Li, along with Hammerhead
torturing one of Mr. Negative's Inner Demons. Trying to escape, Li touches her with his corrupting touch. She then returns to meet her husband and Peter. When John suggests going somewhere nice for dinner, Aunt May sarcastically proceeds to insult Peter over his fluctuating jobs and his dependence on them, culminating with calling her nephew "One damn big disappointment". A heartbroken Peter then runs off. Peter returns, after a physically and mentally exhausting battle against the Lizard
, tries talking to Aunt May, looking for someone to help give him hope after seeing the death of Curt Connors' humanity. She still continues to act like a bad-tempered teenager and at first, rebuffs him. However, after seeing Peter clearly suffering mentally, she feels guilty and undergoes an intense mind battle, breaking the corruption, and is shown simply sitting next to Peter.
Prior to the events of Spider-Island
, after Martin Li's secret identity is exposed to the public, May and Jay formally announce their intention to leave New York for good for their own safety and move to Boston. Jay explains this was the result of all the recent major incidents towards them and their friends and family. They put May's old house up for sale and leave once the moving van is packed.
(Bruce Banner becomes this world's Spider-Man during experiments on the animals that were affected by the bomb).
into the cosmically-powered being Golden Oldie to serve as his herald
. Rather than lead him to populated worlds, Oldie discovered an extraterrestrial baker who bakes planet-sized snack cakes that sate Galactus's hunger. May's transformation is ultimately revealed as a dream. The issue, a parody of an old Hostess snack cake advertising campaign, was part of Marvel's "Assistant Editors Month" series of humorous issues.
May also appeared as "Golden Oldie" (this time an Iron Man parody) as well as "The Astonishing Aunt Ant" and "Auntie Freeze" in an issue of What If?.
alternate universe (Earth-2149), Spider-Man was bitten and transformed into a zombie, leading him to devour first Mary Jane, and then Aunt May, despite warning her to lock herself in the bathroom because he couldn't control himself. However, Spider-Man thereafter felt remorse for his act of cannibalism, repeatedly referring to their deaths after he has feasted. Eventually, this lead him to turn against his fellow former metahuman
and mutant colleagues.
and met the original May when she found herself displaced in time, although Mayday makes no attempt to explain who she really was.
When Spider-Girl was trapped in an illusion by her enemy, Misery, she was given encouragement from a familiar spirit. She recognised the spirit as being Aunt May.
In the final arc of Amazing Spider-Girl, Aunt May acts a spiritual advisor to May in order to help her grandniece reclaim her identity and save Peter from Norman Osborn. In this form, she initially appears as a younger version of herself, which prevents May from recognising her. However, May finally figures it out when she sees Aunt May through her father's eyes.
along with Mary Jane. Though she is close to death, Ben Reilly
and Peter manage to get the cure and save her life. May and Ben are later by Peter and Mary Jane's side when she gives birth and is horrified when news breaks that Allison Mongrain has stolen baby May. The baby is later returned to the Parkers
Trouble
was marketed as the "true origin" of Spider-Man. In that story, teenagers named Ben, Richard, May and Mary met while on summer vacation. Ben and May are one couple while Richard and Mary another. Richard is secretly also seeing May who becomes pregnant with his child. She informs Ben of this who counters that he is sterile. May gives birth to a boy and her best friend Mary presents it to Richard as her own.
None of the characters' last names were revealed. The story did not become canon because of its negative reception.
version of Spider-Man, Aunt May was a strong and independent woman in her late forties or early fifties, significantly younger than her original Marvel Universe counterpart. After the death of her husband Ben Parker, she was the pillar strength for her nephew Peter. She was slightly overprotective of her nephew, and not supportive of Peter's secretive behavior. Aunt May was quite good with computers and liked to search for things on the Internet. At one time, she had romantic feelings for George Stacy
, the policeman who investigated Ben's murder and father of Gwen Stacy
prior to him being killed by a Spider-Man impostor. May has been seen working in an office cubicle and attending a PTA meeting. Also, in this continuity, Peter's mother Mary is May's sister, making her and Uncle Ben in-laws.
Having gotten over the traumatic event of her husband's death, Aunt May went on a date while Spider-Man is dealing with Deadpool and the X-Men
. As he was returning home from the skirmish, he decided to reveal his secret identity to her, only to find that she had left a note on her phone saying that she was staying the night with her date, Professor Miles Warren
, Harry Osborn
's hypnotist/therapist (on Earth-616
, Warren is the Jackal
).
Peter revealed his secret identity to Aunt May after he found Gwen Stacy's clone at her old house. Aunt May screamed at Peter and Gwen to leave the house, as she despises Spider-Man. At that moment, Peter's father appeared.
Peter learned that May had known his 'father', in truth a clone of Peter himself, had been alive for some time and had kept the secret from him to "protect him". After a long talk between Peter and his 'father', Nick Fury
and a team of Spider Slayers surrounded the Parker home, which triggered a transformation in Gwen, turning her into Carnage
. May then suffered a heart attack. She was rescued from dying by Sue Storm
of the Fantastic Four
, reconciles with Peter and accepted him as Spider-Man, though she was not at all fond of his costume. Aunt May was still in the hospital talking with Mary Jane about Spider-Man's popularity.
After recovering, May returned home, and focused on her talking with Peter about his double life. Peter told May why he became Spider-Man, and May told him that Ben would be proud of him for doing so.
During the events of Ultimatum, May was taken in for questioning by the NYPD concerning her odd connections to several vigilantes, most notably Spider-Man. No charges came of it, though, following the change in Spider-Man's status caused by Ultimatum. The questioning itself was interrupted by the tidal wave that devastated New York; it threw a passenger ship onto the street just outside the building May was in.
Post-Ultimatum, Aunt May has turned her home into a teen shelter of sorts for superhumans without a home, including Bobby Drake (Iceman
), Kitty Pryde
(Shadowcat), and Johnny Storm (Human Torch
).
During the climax of "The Death of Spider-Man" storyline, Aunt May manages to shoot Electro with a gun. She was by Peter's side when he died following a battle with the Green Goblin who died shortly after Peter.
Although angry at the Ultimates for belittling Peter's accomplishments in life when attending her nephew's funeral, May was nevertheless comforted when she met some of the people that Peter had saved during his career as Spider-Man, one little girl even offering her a comforting hug as thanks for raising the man who saved her.
Supporting character
A supporting character is a character of a book, play, video game, movie, television or radio show or other form of storytelling usually used to give added dimension to a main character, by adding a relationship with this character...
in Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
' Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
series. Created by writer Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and artist Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko
Stephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
, she first appeared as May Parker in Amazing Fantasy
Amazing Fantasy
Amazing Fantasy is an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics from 1961 through 1962, and revived in 1995 and in the 2000s. It is best known as the title that introduced the popular superhero character Spider-Man in 1962...
#15 (August 1962). She has appeared in most other media adaptations of the character as an important part of the Spider-Man series.
In the main universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
continuum, Aunt May is aunt-by-marriage and surrogate mother of Peter Parker, who leads a secret life as Spider-Man. She is nurturing and supportive of Peter although, throughout most of Spider-Man's history, she has not known of his secret life and considers Spider-Man frightening.
After years as a widow, Aunt May married John Jonah Jameson, Sr. (father of long-time Spider-Man adversary J. Jonah Jameson
J. Jonah Jameson
John Jonah Jameson Junior is a supporting character of Spider-Man in the .Jameson is usually the publisher or editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, a fictional New York newspaper and now serves as the mayor of New York City...
).
Fictional character biography
May Parker (néeNEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Reilly) was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 5. Originally a very naive girl in her youth who was about to fall for a small-time crook, she eventually discovered her affections for her schoolmate Ben Parker and married him.
After the death of their young nephew's parents, May and Ben took in the boy, Peter, and raised him at their home in the Forest Hills
Forest Hills, Queens
Forest Hills is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States.-Neighborhood:The neighborhood is home to upper-middle class residents, of whom the wealthier residents often live in the neighborhood's Forest Hills Gardens area...
section of Queens. Ben immediately took to the role of the boy's father, but May was at first reluctant. She still remembered her parents blaming her own birth for the destruction of their marriage, and she was afraid that Peter might signal the end of her own marriage. In time, however, she warmed up to Peter, who unexpectedly strengthened the couple's marriage. After Ben's death, life became a struggle with money problems though Peter did his best to help. Through these situations, May maintained a subtle undertone of inner strength which later leaned closer to stereotypical senility.
Peter's secret life as Spider-Man endlessly complicated both his and his aunt's lives. Aunt May lives in constant fear for her "frail" (but unaccountably secretive) nephew who insisted on a job as a freelance photographer. Parker was determined to capture Spider-Man in action, frequently submitting pictures of him to the Daily Bugle; Spider-Man is a vigilante whom Aunt May feared because of her unquestioning acceptance of the Daily Bugle
Daily Bugle
The Daily Bugle is a fictional New York City newspaper that is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most prominently in Spider-Man comic titles and their derivative media...
's smearing.
Peter fears for his aunt's well-being and the fatal shock that would result if she ever learned about his career as Spider-Man. This problem serves as an easy crutch for dramatic tension in the comics for years, with Peter being torn between dealing with major crises while his aunt needed nearly constant care. This conflict takes on an unusual turn when Aunt May had his enemy, Doctor Otto Octavius (also known as Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics since 1963. A highly intelligent mad scientist, Doctor Octopus is one of Spider-Man's greatest foes...
) as an apparent sweetheart; Peter struggles to deal with his enemy's game while not hurting his aunt.
During a period of convalescence at a nursing home, May met the wheelchair-bound Nathan Lubensky. Gradually, May and Nathan fell in love with each other. She invited Nathan into her Forest Hills home after converting it into a boarding house, and the couple was briefly engaged. However, May's heart was broken when Nathan suffered a fatal heart attack while protecting her from being taken hostage by Adrian Toomes, the costumed villain known as the Vulture
Vulture (comics)
The Vulture is the name of six comic book supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. The best known Vulture in the Marvel Universe is Adrian Toomes, an elderly enemy of Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in The Amazing Spider-Man #2 .-Golden Age Vulture:In Young Men #26, a scientist...
. Not long thereafter, a guilt-stricken Toomes confronted May, begging her to forgive him for his role in Nathan's death (Ironically, Nathan had befriended Toomes when the two briefly resided at the same nursing home). May refused to do so, stating that only God could provide the villain with the type of redemption he was seeking.
In her most recent "death", the "Aunt May" who died shortly after learning of Peter's secret identity, was, in a widely-derided plot twist, revealed to be a "genetically-altered actress" who impersonated her while May was held captive by villains. May finally learns about her nephew's secret life. This resulted in a heartfelt discussion in which aunt and nephew confess their darkest secrets, and each learned that the other is far stronger than they had imagined. Afterward, Aunt May finds a new purpose in her life defending Spider-Man online while enjoying knowing that her actually robust nephew's previously mysterious behaviors such as his suddenly disappearances during times of crisis now made sense.
After their house was destroyed during Spider-Man's fight with Charlie Weiderman
Charlie Weiderman
Charles Weiderman is a fictional character in The Amazing Spider-Man-Fictional character biography:Charlie was the one student at Midtown High School more bullied than Peter Parker as Charlie was bullied by a group of students led by a teen named Rich, a football player on the school team...
, Peter, Aunt May, and Mary Jane Watson
Mary Jane Watson
Mary Jane Watson, often shortened to MJ, is a fictional supporting character appearing, originally, in Marvel comic books and, later, in multiple spin-offs and dramatizations of the Spider-Man titles as the best friend, love interest, and one-time wife of Peter Parker, the alter ego of Spider-Man...
moved into Stark Tower
Stark Tower
The Stark Tower Complex is a fictional high-rise building complex which appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Located in Manhattan, New York City, the complex is named after its owner Tony Stark who is the alter ego of the superhero Iron Man. The structure is composed of a 93-story Main Tower...
(as Spider-Man had joined the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
). Aunt May seemed to be developing a romantic relationship with the Avengers' butler, Jarvis
Edwin Jarvis
Edwin Jarvis is a fictional supporting character in the Marvel Comics titles, The Avengers, Iron Man, and Spider-Man.-Publication history:...
. May was quite a strong-willed woman and even the hard-nosed Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
found it impossible to argue with her. During the Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
, she and Mary Jane convinced Peter to unmask himself in front of a press conference, and May even made a hand-stitched copy of his original costume. Later on, she was the target of the Chameleon
Chameleon (comics)
The Chameleon is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko; the Chameleon is the first member of Spider-Man's rogues' gallery, based on issue...
, but outwitted the villain by feeding him Ambien
Zolpidem
Zolpidem is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders. It is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class that potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid , an inhibitory neurotransmitter, by binding to GABAA...
-filled oatmeal-raisin cookies.
When Peter changed his mind about the Superhuman Registration Act, he had to move Aunt May, Mary Jane, and himself out of Stark Tower because Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
was the leading supporter for the Act. The following issue, when Peter took Aunt May and Mary Jane to a sleazy motel for refuge, a prostitute witnessed Peter check into his room, and now knowing that Peter is Spider-Man, called up a crime organizer named 'Lucille' and put Peter's name down as a hit. The hit was made by an assassin named Jake Martino, who was ordered by the Kingpin
Kingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
, except that instead of Peter Parker, Aunt May was shot in the stomach. Peter brought May to a hospital. It was then revealed that she has lapsed into a coma and would most likely die. Aunt May however, received a radioactive blood transfusion from Peter, which he hoped would once again save her life due to his mutated healing factor. Although healing factor is in his blood, the most recent issue of Amazing Spider-Man shows that the radioactivity had done nothing to her system. Peter believed she has built an immunity to his blood, considering this hadn't been the first time he gave blood to her.
However, it was revealed that May was not dead, as Peter and Mary Jane were forced to move May to a ward in another hospital. This was the result of a police investigation with Mary Jane as a prime suspect in what was erroneously believed to be a case of blood poisoning when traces of radioactivity from Peter's blood showed up in May's system.
The demon Mephisto
Mephisto (comics)
Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
offered to restore Aunt May's health at great personal cost to Peter, his life, and his marriage to his wife, Mary Jane. Agreeing to the terms, Mary Jane and Peter had reality altered so that May lived, Spider-Man's identity was once again a secret, and Harry Osborn was still alive. The cost of Mephisto's offer was the erasure of Peter and Mary Jane's marriage.
At the beginning of Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
"Brand New Day" is the title of a run of comic book storylines in The Amazing Spider-Man, published by Marvel Comics in 2008. It chronicles the start of Spider-Man's adventures in the aftermath of the big status quo change in the "One More Day" storyline, and continues afterwards into "Spider-Man:...
, May was doing volunteer work for a homeless shelter, run by the seemingly benevolent entrepreneur, Martin Li, who was in fact the supervillain crime boss, Mister Negative
Mister Negative
Mister Negative is a fictional comic book supervillain, appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an enemy of Spider-Man and the Punisher...
. During her work at the shelter, she met John Jonah Jameson (the father of J. Jonah Jameson
J. Jonah Jameson
John Jonah Jameson Junior is a supporting character of Spider-Man in the .Jameson is usually the publisher or editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, a fictional New York newspaper and now serves as the mayor of New York City...
) and started a relationship with him. The following issue, Peter caught the two of them in bed. However, he approved of this relationship, mainly because John supports Spider-Man, who had previously saved his life, and saw through Norman Osborn
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
as a thug who holds nothing but contempt for the people.
John walked with May in Central Park, and asked her to marry him, which May accepted. Despite Dr. Octopus' subconscious efforts to halt his former fiance's wedding plans, May and John were wedded by New York Mayor J. Jonah Jameson. After the wedding, May and John embarked on a round-the-world honeymoon.
It was recently revealed that Aunt May has several blood relatives that are still alive. Aunt May has a sister named Jan. May's first cousins Sam and Julia are the children of her uncle Bill and his wife Claudia. Peter was attracted to Julia's daughter Alexa. The Reilly family is currently staying in Aunt May's house.
Upon her return from her honeymoon, she stops by the FEAST offices, only to accidentally walk in on Martin Li, along with Hammerhead
Hammerhead (comics)
Hammerhead is a fictional character, a supervillain that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. He is primarily an enemy of Spider-Man and a member of organized crime who exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
torturing one of Mr. Negative's Inner Demons. Trying to escape, Li touches her with his corrupting touch. She then returns to meet her husband and Peter. When John suggests going somewhere nice for dinner, Aunt May sarcastically proceeds to insult Peter over his fluctuating jobs and his dependence on them, culminating with calling her nephew "One damn big disappointment". A heartbroken Peter then runs off. Peter returns, after a physically and mentally exhausting battle against the Lizard
Lizard (comics)
The Lizard is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe and enemy of Spider-Man. The Lizard first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #6 , and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko...
, tries talking to Aunt May, looking for someone to help give him hope after seeing the death of Curt Connors' humanity. She still continues to act like a bad-tempered teenager and at first, rebuffs him. However, after seeing Peter clearly suffering mentally, she feels guilty and undergoes an intense mind battle, breaking the corruption, and is shown simply sitting next to Peter.
Prior to the events of Spider-Island
Spider-Island
"Spider-Island" is a comic book storyline starting in The Amazing Spider-Man and crossing over into other comic books published by Marvel Comics in 2011.-Infested:...
, after Martin Li's secret identity is exposed to the public, May and Jay formally announce their intention to leave New York for good for their own safety and move to Boston. Jay explains this was the result of all the recent major incidents towards them and their friends and family. They put May's old house up for sale and leave once the moving van is packed.
Bullet Points
In this alternate reality, May suffered the loss of Ben only months into their marriage. Ben was killed during the assassination of Doctor Erskine, the man who would have created Captain America. Richard and his wife promised to be there for May, but she eventually ended up raising Peter by herself. Without the influence of Ben, Peter became a troublemaker, even going so far as to steal cars, and was eventually exposed to a gamma bomb that transformed him into this reality's version of the HulkHulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
(Bruce Banner becomes this world's Spider-Man during experiments on the animals that were affected by the bomb).
Golden Oldie
May Parker was transformed by GalactusGalactus
Galactus is a fictional character appearing in comic books and other publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character debuted in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus...
into the cosmically-powered being Golden Oldie to serve as his herald
Herald of Galactus
The Heralds of Galactus are fictional characters appearing in publications from Marvel Comics. The Herald concept was introduced in Fantastic Four #48 - with the character the Silver Surfer - by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
. Rather than lead him to populated worlds, Oldie discovered an extraterrestrial baker who bakes planet-sized snack cakes that sate Galactus's hunger. May's transformation is ultimately revealed as a dream. The issue, a parody of an old Hostess snack cake advertising campaign, was part of Marvel's "Assistant Editors Month" series of humorous issues.
May also appeared as "Golden Oldie" (this time an Iron Man parody) as well as "The Astonishing Aunt Ant" and "Auntie Freeze" in an issue of What If?.
Marvel Noir
In Spider-Man Noir, May Parker was a socialist activist in charge of a Welfare Center established by the murdered Ben Parker.Marvel Zombies
In the Marvel ZombiesMarvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies is a five-issue limited series published from December 2005 to April 2006 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Robert Kirkman with art by Sean Phillips and covers by Arthur Suydam. It was the first series in the Marvel Zombies series of related stories...
alternate universe (Earth-2149), Spider-Man was bitten and transformed into a zombie, leading him to devour first Mary Jane, and then Aunt May, despite warning her to lock herself in the bathroom because he couldn't control himself. However, Spider-Man thereafter felt remorse for his act of cannibalism, repeatedly referring to their deaths after he has feasted. Eventually, this lead him to turn against his fellow former metahuman
Metahuman
Metahuman is a term to describe superhumans in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe. It is roughly synonymous with both mutant and mutate and posthuman in the Wildstorm and Ultimate Marvel Universes. Use of the term in reference to superheroes was coined in 1986 by author George R. R...
and mutant colleagues.
MC2
In the alternate timeline known as MC2, May Parker's death in The Amazing Spider-Man #400 was valid. It was May who died in this continuum, rather than an actress. Peter's daughter, May "Mayday" Parker, was named for her. Mayday became the super-heroine Spider-GirlSpider-Girl
Spider-Girl is a superheroine in Marvel Comics' MC2 universe. The character was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz as the teenage daughter of Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson, and first appeared in What If #105...
and met the original May when she found herself displaced in time, although Mayday makes no attempt to explain who she really was.
When Spider-Girl was trapped in an illusion by her enemy, Misery, she was given encouragement from a familiar spirit. She recognised the spirit as being Aunt May.
In the final arc of Amazing Spider-Girl, Aunt May acts a spiritual advisor to May in order to help her grandniece reclaim her identity and save Peter from Norman Osborn. In this form, she initially appears as a younger version of herself, which prevents May from recognising her. However, May finally figures it out when she sees Aunt May through her father's eyes.
Spider-Man: Clone Saga
In the retelling of the Clone Saga, May did not die as in the original storyline. Rather, she was infected with a virus by JackalJackal (Marvel Comics)
The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 , and was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Ross Andru. In The Amazing Spider-Man #148 The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in...
along with Mary Jane. Though she is close to death, Ben Reilly
Ben Reilly
Benjamin "Ben" Reilly is a fictional character in the . He is a clone of Peter Parker , and is prominent in the "Clone Saga" story arc...
and Peter manage to get the cure and save her life. May and Ben are later by Peter and Mary Jane's side when she gives birth and is horrified when news breaks that Allison Mongrain has stolen baby May. The baby is later returned to the Parkers
Trouble
The 2003 limited seriesLimited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Trouble
Trouble (comic book)
Trouble is a five-issue romance comic book limited series published in 2003 by Marvel Comics as a part of its Epic Comics imprint. Written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Terry and Rachel Dodson the series deals with teen pregnancy...
was marketed as the "true origin" of Spider-Man. In that story, teenagers named Ben, Richard, May and Mary met while on summer vacation. Ben and May are one couple while Richard and Mary another. Richard is secretly also seeing May who becomes pregnant with his child. She informs Ben of this who counters that he is sterile. May gives birth to a boy and her best friend Mary presents it to Richard as her own.
None of the characters' last names were revealed. The story did not become canon because of its negative reception.
Ultimate Aunt May
In the UltimateUltimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
version of Spider-Man, Aunt May was a strong and independent woman in her late forties or early fifties, significantly younger than her original Marvel Universe counterpart. After the death of her husband Ben Parker, she was the pillar strength for her nephew Peter. She was slightly overprotective of her nephew, and not supportive of Peter's secretive behavior. Aunt May was quite good with computers and liked to search for things on the Internet. At one time, she had romantic feelings for George Stacy
George Stacy
George Stacy is a supporting character in Marvel Comics's Spider-Man series. He first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #56 , and was created by Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., and Don Heck. He is Gwen Stacy's father and he strongly approves of his daughter's relationship with Peter Parker...
, the policeman who investigated Ben's murder and father of Gwen Stacy
Gwen Stacy
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Stacy appears as a supporting character in Marvel Comics' Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #31 ....
prior to him being killed by a Spider-Man impostor. May has been seen working in an office cubicle and attending a PTA meeting. Also, in this continuity, Peter's mother Mary is May's sister, making her and Uncle Ben in-laws.
Having gotten over the traumatic event of her husband's death, Aunt May went on a date while Spider-Man is dealing with Deadpool and the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
. As he was returning home from the skirmish, he decided to reveal his secret identity to her, only to find that she had left a note on her phone saying that she was staying the night with her date, Professor Miles Warren
Jackal (Marvel Comics)
The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 , and was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Ross Andru. In The Amazing Spider-Man #148 The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in...
, Harry Osborn
Harry Osborn
Harry Osborn is a fictional character, a supporting character of Spider-Man in the . In addition to being Peter Parker's best friend, Harry was the second Green Goblin and is the son of Norman Osborn...
's hypnotist/therapist (on Earth-616
Earth-616
In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.-Origin of Earth-616:...
, Warren is the Jackal
Jackal (Marvel Comics)
The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 , and was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Ross Andru. In The Amazing Spider-Man #148 The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in...
).
Peter revealed his secret identity to Aunt May after he found Gwen Stacy's clone at her old house. Aunt May screamed at Peter and Gwen to leave the house, as she despises Spider-Man. At that moment, Peter's father appeared.
Peter learned that May had known his 'father', in truth a clone of Peter himself, had been alive for some time and had kept the secret from him to "protect him". After a long talk between Peter and his 'father', Nick Fury
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
and a team of Spider Slayers surrounded the Parker home, which triggered a transformation in Gwen, turning her into Carnage
Carnage (comics)
Carnage is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 , and was created by writer David Michelinie and artist Mark Bagley. The character is frequently depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man...
. May then suffered a heart attack. She was rescued from dying by Sue Storm
Invisible Woman
Susan "Sue" Storm Richards is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 in November 1961, and was the first female superhero created by Marvel in the Silver Age of Comics...
of the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
, reconciles with Peter and accepted him as Spider-Man, though she was not at all fond of his costume. Aunt May was still in the hospital talking with Mary Jane about Spider-Man's popularity.
After recovering, May returned home, and focused on her talking with Peter about his double life. Peter told May why he became Spider-Man, and May told him that Ben would be proud of him for doing so.
During the events of Ultimatum, May was taken in for questioning by the NYPD concerning her odd connections to several vigilantes, most notably Spider-Man. No charges came of it, though, following the change in Spider-Man's status caused by Ultimatum. The questioning itself was interrupted by the tidal wave that devastated New York; it threw a passenger ship onto the street just outside the building May was in.
Post-Ultimatum, Aunt May has turned her home into a teen shelter of sorts for superhumans without a home, including Bobby Drake (Iceman
Iceman (comics)
Iceman is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 1 #1, ....
), Kitty Pryde
Kitty Pryde
Katherine Anne "Kitty" Pryde is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 and was created by writer-artist John Byrne....
(Shadowcat), and Johnny Storm (Human Torch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
).
During the climax of "The Death of Spider-Man" storyline, Aunt May manages to shoot Electro with a gun. She was by Peter's side when he died following a battle with the Green Goblin who died shortly after Peter.
Although angry at the Ultimates for belittling Peter's accomplishments in life when attending her nephew's funeral, May was nevertheless comforted when she met some of the people that Peter had saved during his career as Spider-Man, one little girl even offering her a comforting hug as thanks for raising the man who saved her.
Television
- May's first appearance in animation was in the first season of the 1960s Spider-Man seriesSpider-Man (1967 TV series)Spider-Man is an animated television series that ran from September 9, 1967 to June 14, 1970. It was jointly produced in Canada and the United States and was the first animated adaptation of the Spider-Man comic book series, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko...
as part of the episode "Horn of the Rhino". In the episode, she's seen trying to nurse Peter over a severe headcold and very abruptly telling J. Jonah Jameson that he was not to call Peter about photo assignments until he had recovered. May apparently made an impression on Jameson as he told Betty BrantBetty BrantElizabeth "Betty" Brant is a supporting character in Marvel Comics’s Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #4 .-Fictional character biography:...
that he didn't ever want to speak to May again. May had also made two tiny appearances in the first two episodes of the second season of the 1960s Spider-Man seriesSpider-Man (1967 TV series)Spider-Man is an animated television series that ran from September 9, 1967 to June 14, 1970. It was jointly produced in Canada and the United States and was the first animated adaptation of the Spider-Man comic book series, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko...
. In the second season premiere where it revealed about Spider-Man's origin, she and Uncle Ben made a tiny cameo about what Peter was doing after no one knew he was bitten by a radioactive spider. In "King Pinned," she was taking medications to cure a sickness she had only it was making her feel worse. It was then revealed that it was a drug created by the Kingpin that would be fake medicine for the elderly to take that would make them feel worse to the point of death, but the plan was foiled by Spider-Man and Aunt May was saved, along with every other elderly person who took the drug.
- In the 1977 television movie pilot for the CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
series The Amazing Spider-ManThe Amazing Spider-Man (TV series)The Amazing Spider-Man is the first live-action TV series based on the popular comic book The Amazing Spider-Man, not counting his appearances on the educational The Electric Company series, and was shown in the USA between 1977-1979...
, Aunt May is portrayed by actress Jeff DonnellJeff DonnellJeff Donnell was an American film and television actress. Born Jean Marie Donnell, she grew up in South Windham, Maine...
. The character subsequently appears in one episode of the series, "Night of the Clones," where she is portrayed by Irene TedrowIrene TedrowIrene Tedrow was an American character actress in stage, film, television and radio. Tedrow is also the mother of actress Enid Kent.-Career:...
.
- Aunt May appeared in the 1980s Spider-ManSpider-Man (1981 TV series)Spider-Man is a syndicated animated TV series based on the popular Marvel Comics character of the same name.-Production background:The series was created to launch Marvel Productions, successor of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, who had previously produced the 1978 New Fantastic Four and 1979...
TV series voiced by Linda GaryLinda GaryLinda Gary was an American voice actor and voice-over artist, who has worked on multiple animated projects.-Personal life:Linda Gary Dewoskin was born in California on November 4, 1944....
.
- Aunt May appeared several times in the course of Spider-Man and His Amazing FriendsSpider-Man and His Amazing FriendsSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends is an animated series produced by Marvel Productions starring established Marvel Comics characters Spider-Man and Iceman and an original character, Firestar...
voiced by June ForayJune ForayJune Foray is an American voice actress, best known as the voice of many animated characters...
. The Spider-Friends secretly operated in her house.
- Aunt May notably appeared in the 1990s Spider-Man: The Animated SeriesSpider-Man (1994 TV series)Spider-Man, also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, is an American animated series starring the Marvel Comics superhero, Spider-Man. The show ran on Fox Kids from November 19, 1994, to January 31, 1998. The producer/story editor was John Semper, Jr. and production company was Marvel Films...
with Linda GaryLinda GaryLinda Gary was an American voice actor and voice-over artist, who has worked on multiple animated projects.-Personal life:Linda Gary Dewoskin was born in California on November 4, 1944....
reprising Aunt May for the first three seasons and later voiced by Julie Bennett in the last two seasons. In this version, her character hated Spider-Man deeply but loved his alter ego, her nephew Peter Parker. As in the comic at that time, she did not know that her nephew was really Spider-Man. She had many encounters with villains Spider-Man fought like VenomVenom (comics)Eddie Brock is a fictional character created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. A comic book supervillain, Brock's earliest appearance is a cameo in Web of Spider-Man #18 before making his first full appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #299 as Venom...
(as Eddie Brock), the HobgoblinHobgoblin (comics)The Hobgoblin is the alias of several fictional characters that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first and best-known Hobgoblin is Roderick Kingsley. He first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #238, and was created by Roger Stern and John Romita, Sr...
, Doctor OctopusDoctor OctopusDoctor Octopus is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics since 1963. A highly intelligent mad scientist, Doctor Octopus is one of Spider-Man's greatest foes...
, MorbiusMorbius, the Living VampireMorbius, the Living Vampire, is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and penciler Gil Kane, the character, a living human suffering from vampiric abilities resulting from scientific rather than supernatural means, first appeared as...
, the ChameleonChameleon (comics)The Chameleon is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko; the Chameleon is the first member of Spider-Man's rogues' gallery, based on issue...
(who was imitating Anna Watson), TombstoneTombstone (comics)Tombstone is a supervillain in the fictional Marvel universe. The character was created by Gerry Conway and Alex Saviuk and first appeared in Web of Spider-Man #36 .-Fictional character biography:...
, Green GoblinGreen GoblinThe Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
, the Scorpion and the ShockerShocker (comics)The Shocker or just Shocker is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #46 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr.-Fictional character biography:Herman Schultz was born in New York...
. She has a past with Keane Marlow as friends. Keane was also friends with May's late husband Ben (and unbeknownst to her, he was also a member in the 1940s superhero team called the Six Forgotten WarriorsSix Forgotten Warriors"Six Forgotten Warriors" is the longest story arc and only five-part episode from the fifth season of Spider-Man. This five-parter features the first and only appearances in the cartoon series, of Silver Sable, her Wild Pack and Electro, who was originally not allowed to be used in the...
as the Destroyer). May was friends with Anna WatsonAnna WatsonAnna Watson is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe and an supporting character of Spider-Man. She is Mary Jane Watson's aunt and Aunt May's best friend...
, and despite their friendship and May's kindness towards Mary Jane, Anna had no respect for Peter and he had to tolerate her (though there was a time when Peter blurted out to her in anger where she blamed him for Mary Jane getting kidnapped by the clone of the dead Hydro-ManHydro-ManHydro-Man, also spelled Hydro Man , is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics...
) and Anna even once expressed respect for him when he was with Mary Jane after she was saved from the Hydro-ManHydro-ManHydro-Man, also spelled Hydro Man , is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics...
clone. May even gave Peter and Mary Jane her and Ben's wedding rings when Peter and M.J. were getting married. By the series finale of the show, it was revealed that when the BeyonderBeyonderThe Beyonder is a fictional character in . Created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck, the immensely powerful Beyonder first appeared in Secret Wars vol. 1 #1 as an unseen force. He reappears in Secret Wars II #1 , which was created by Jim Shooter and Al Milgrom.-Publication history:The Beyonder was a...
and Madame WebMadame WebMadame Web is a fictional supporting character in the Spider-Man comic book series.-Fictional character biography:Cassandra Webb was born in Salem, Oregon. She is a paralyzed, blind, telepathic, clairvoyant, and precognitive mutant, allowing her to work as a professional medium...
rounded up Spider-Men from different realities, in the Scarlet SpiderScarlet SpiderScarlet Spider is a fictional character who appeared in the Marvel Comics series Spider-Man. His costume was designed by Tom Lyle. The identity of the Scarlet Spider has been used by several characters: Ben Reilly, Peter Parker , Joe Wade , a group of three Michael Van Patrick clones working with...
and Spider-Carnage'sCarnage (comics)Carnage is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 , and was created by writer David Michelinie and artist Mark Bagley. The character is frequently depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man...
reality, Aunt May was dead along with Uncle Ben, but her cause of death was unknown. It's possible she might have died in the same manner in The Amazing Spider-Man #400.
- Aunt May did not make an appearance to the spin-off show of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Spider-Man UnlimitedSpider-Man UnlimitedSpider-Man Unlimited was a short-lived animated series featuring the Marvel comic book superhero Spider-Man. The series was released in 1999, but, although it had fair ratings, was overshadowed by Pokémon, and was canceled after airing only a few episodes. Fox later resumed airing the show, airing...
, but was mentioned numerous times by Spider-Man throughout the series and was seen in the opening credits, hugging Peter when they were at Uncle Ben's grave. She also didn't make an appearance in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series which was a spin-off show to the Spider-Man movie nor was she mentioned by any of the characters in the show, but in the pilot episode in Canada, she was seen in one of Peter Parker's photos with Uncle Ben (and in the second photo was Peter's parents).
- Aunt May Parker appeared in The Spectacular Spider-Man voiced by Deborah Strang. She appeared to be slightly younger and less fragile than her other counterparts (minus the Ultimate universe), but she was still overprotective of Peter (though like her movie counterpart, she believed Spider-Man was good). She like in the comics introduced Mary Jane WatsonMary Jane WatsonMary Jane Watson, often shortened to MJ, is a fictional supporting character appearing, originally, in Marvel comic books and, later, in multiple spin-offs and dramatizations of the Spider-Man titles as the best friend, love interest, and one-time wife of Peter Parker, the alter ego of Spider-Man...
. In "Persona", she began to feel faint while cooking dinner, but shook if off the moment Peter arrives. In "Group Therapy", she suffered a heart attack while out to a BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
show with Anna WatsonAnna WatsonAnna Watson is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe and an supporting character of Spider-Man. She is Mary Jane Watson's aunt and Aunt May's best friend...
during the Sinister SixSinister SixThe Sinister Six are a group of supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe, drawn from Spider-Man's rogues gallery. The original incarnation of the group was organized by Doctor Octopus, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 ....
's attack. Peter, who was under the influence of the symbiote suitVenom (comics)Eddie Brock is a fictional character created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. A comic book supervillain, Brock's earliest appearance is a cameo in Web of Spider-Man #18 before making his first full appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #299 as Venom...
, wasn't unaware of it until Mary Jane WatsonMary Jane WatsonMary Jane Watson, often shortened to MJ, is a fictional supporting character appearing, originally, in Marvel comic books and, later, in multiple spin-offs and dramatizations of the Spider-Man titles as the best friend, love interest, and one-time wife of Peter Parker, the alter ego of Spider-Man...
visited to tell him May was in the hospital. She recovered and headed back home for a Thanksgiving dinner with Peter, her doctor, GwenGwen StacyGwendolyn "Gwen" Stacy appears as a supporting character in Marvel Comics' Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #31 ....
and Captain George StacyGeorge StacyGeorge Stacy is a supporting character in Marvel Comics's Spider-Man series. He first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #56 , and was created by Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., and Don Heck. He is Gwen Stacy's father and he strongly approves of his daughter's relationship with Peter Parker...
at the end of the first season, where May informed the others that she was writing a cookbookCookbookA cookbook is a kitchen reference that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions may also include colorful illustrations and advice on purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions...
and had already received an advance from a publisher. In Season 2 she is revealed to be feeling much after the heart attack though Peter still worries about her. Her and her doctor, Doctor Bromwell, have also seem to have an liking over each other. The doctor described her as his favorite heart patient and even checking her up at her own home. She doesn't know that her nephew is Spider-Man and when asked by the reporter Ned LeedsNed LeedsNed Leeds is a comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe, part of the supporting cast of Spider-Man, first introduced in 1964 in The Amazing Spider-Man #18, by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko...
if he is Spider-Man she thought she was being punked. After Peter's feelings were mixed in between Liz Allan and Gwen StacyGwen StacyGwendolyn "Gwen" Stacy appears as a supporting character in Marvel Comics' Spider-Man series. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #31 ....
she gave Peter advice that he needed to be honest between both of the girls but before that he must be honest with himself.
Films
- In Sam RaimiSam RaimiSamuel Marshall "Sam" Raimi is an American film director, producer, actor and writer. He is best known for directing cult horror films like the Evil Dead series, Darkman and Drag Me to Hell, as well as the blockbuster Spider-Man films and the producer of the successful TV series Hercules: The...
's Spider-Man films, Aunt May was played by Rosemary HarrisRosemary HarrisRosemary Ann Harris is an English actress and a member of the American Theatre Hall of Fame. Throughout her career she has been nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and has won a Golden Globe, an Emmy, a Tony Award, an Obie, and five Drama Desk Awards.-Early life:Harris was born in...
as a housewife who is widowed by the events of the first film. She was the one who encouraged Peter the most throughout the films with her words of wisdom as Uncle Ben had done before his death, in the second movie even managing to make him try to return to his Spider-Man life after losing his powers. - In the 2002 film Spider-ManSpider-Man (film)Spider-Man is a 2002 American superhero film, the first in the Spider-Man film series based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It was directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Koepp...
, Aunt May and Uncle Ben take care of their nephew, Peter Parker. After Uncle Ben (Cliff RobertsonCliff RobertsonClifford Parker "Cliff" Robertson III was an American actor with a film and television career that spanned half of a century. Robertson portrayed a young John F. Kennedy in the 1963 film PT 109, and won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Charly...
) is shot and killed by a carjackerBurglar (comics)The Burglar is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe, left unnamed in most of his appearances. He is best known as the first criminal faced by Spider-Man, and as the killer of the hero's uncle and surrogate father figure, Ben Parker. The Burglar first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 .The...
, Peter and May share their grief for Uncle Ben. Later, when Peter moves into an apartment with his friend Harry OsbornHarry OsbornHarry Osborn is a fictional character, a supporting character of Spider-Man in the . In addition to being Peter Parker's best friend, Harry was the second Green Goblin and is the son of Norman Osborn...
, Aunt May visits them on ThanksgivingThanksgivingThanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
. She is not shy about reprimanding Harry's father Norman for his rude and boorish behavior. Shortly thereafter, when Norman (who has become the villainous Green GoblinGreen GoblinThe Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
), learns Spider-Man's identity, he attacks May at home while she is saying her prayers. May is terrified by the Goblin's demonic appearance, and is hospitalized after the Goblin injures her. May shows up at Norman Osborn's funeral alongside Peter, Mary Jane and Harry; soon after that, she and Peter visit Ben's grave located elsewhere in the cemetery. - In the sequel, Spider-Man 2Spider-Man 2Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi, written by Alvin Sargent and developed by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Michael Chabon. It is the second film in the Spider-Man film franchise based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man...
(2004), Aunt May continues to look after Peter, and has had financial difficulties since the death of her husband, forcing her to sell the house and live in a smaller apartment (although it is implied that the bank is cheating her out of the house). Her opinion of Spider-Man is not high, claiming "the less we see of him, the better." However, when May's visit to the bank with Peter is interrupted by a robbery perpetrated by Otto OctaviusDoctor OctopusDoctor Octopus is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics since 1963. A highly intelligent mad scientist, Doctor Octopus is one of Spider-Man's greatest foes...
, Octavius takes her hostage and climbs the side of a skyscraper with her. She is in turn, rescued by Spider-Man (and in return, helps Spider-Man during the battle by hitting Octavius with her umbrella), and from that point believes that he was good; it is implied, but never stated, that she may have deduced his secret identity. Later in the film, Peter's powers began to wane because of a subconscious desire to live a normal life, and he decides to give up his costumed persona; Aunt May makes a speech which encourages him to resume his heroic activities. She later expresses that she feels she caused Uncle Ben's death ("You wanted to take the subway, and he wanted to drive you. And if I had stopped him, we'd all be having tea together."), prompting Peter to admit that he caused the death by not stopping the killer. May is understandably stunned and sad, but later thanks Peter and tells him that admitting the truth to her was a brave thing to do. - In Spider-Man 3Spider-Man 3Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 American superhero film written and directed by Sam Raimi, with a screenplay by Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent. It is the third film in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man...
(2007), Peter tells Aunt May that he is going to ask Mary Jane to marry him, after which the two embrace. May then tells him that he needs to come up with a good way to initiate the proposal, and that he needs to put his wife before him, no matter what. She then relates to Peter how Uncle Ben proposed to her, and that they would have been married for fifty years "this August", had Ben not been killed. She then takes off her engagement ring and asks Peter to use it to propose to M.J. May is also present alongside Peter when Captain StacyGeorge StacyGeorge Stacy is a supporting character in Marvel Comics's Spider-Man series. He first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #56 , and was created by Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., and Don Heck. He is Gwen Stacy's father and he strongly approves of his daughter's relationship with Peter Parker...
tells them that Flint MarkoSandman (Marvel Comics)Sandman is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. A shapeshifter endowed through an accident with the ability to turn himself into sand, he eventually reformed, and became an ally of Spider-Man...
, his uncle's "actual" killer, is on the run. She plays a strong role in providing moral support to Peter, but nothing much is really done by her in the third movie, nor is she ever targeted by Spider-Man's foes as in the previous two movies. Later, when Peter informs May about Sandman's apparent demise at the hands of Spider-Man (under the influence of an alien symbioteSymbiote (comics)In the Marvel Comics universe, The Symbiote is a specific parasitic species of extraterrestrial organism...
), she delivers another speech, which is more of a warning to Peter of the danger to oneself in seeking revenge. Peter is at first shocked at his aunt's reaction, for he expected Aunt May to be happy as Sandman was the one who killed Uncle Ben. Peter soon realizes that this is not the case, and Aunt May says that Uncle Ben would never have wanted revenge. Much later, May talks to Peter in his apartment where Peter says that he's done terrible things (after separating from the symbiote suit that had caused him to hurt Mary Jane and Harry). He tries to return her ring to her, but Aunt May says that she knows that he will find a way to put it right, and gives it back. May later appears at the end of the film attending Harry Osborn's funeral. - She will be portrayed by Sally FieldSally FieldSally Margaret Field is an American actress, singer, producer, director, and screenwriter. In each decade of her career, she has been known for major roles in American TV/film culture, including: in the 1960s, for Gidget or Sister Bertrille on The Flying Nun ; in the 1970s, for Sybil , Smokey and...
in the 2012 reboot The Amazing Spider-ManThe Amazing Spider-Man (2012 film)The Amazing Spider-Man is an upcoming American superhero film based on the comic book of the same name that is currently in post-production. It is the fourth Columbia Pictures film based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man and the first film in a rebooted Spider-Man film franchise. The film...
.
Toys
There was a Famous Covers Aunt May figure offered by Toy Biz as a mail-in offer. The figure stood approximately 9" in height, and featured rooted hair and cloth clothing, including fuzzy slippers.Video games
- Aunt May makes a cameo appearance in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street FighterMarvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighteris the fourth Marvel Comics-licensed fighting game produced by Capcom . It is a sequel to X-Men vs. Street Fighter which replaces most of the X-Men characters with characters from Marvel Super Heroes. In an attempt to balance the previous games' problems, the game engine was altered, although it...
. - The code named after her is used as a cheat code to unlock all cheats in Spider-Man 2: Enter ElectroSpider-Man 2: Enter Electro-Plot:After a brief lesson from Beast, Spider-Man interrupts a robbery at BioTech, planting a tracer on the leader's bike. The tracer leads him to a warehouse, where he interrogates a thug who tells him where to go next. After a battle with Shocker, he heads for the airfield, but is interrupted by...
. - Aunt May was featured in the Spider-Man 2Spider-Man 2 (video game)Spider-Man 2 is the name of several computer and video games based on the Spider-Man universe and particularly the Spider-Man 2 film. It is a follow up to the game Spider-Man: The Movie and was followed by Spider-Man 3 to promote the release of the third film in 2007...
video game voiced by Mindy SterlingMindy SterlingMindy Lee Sterling is an American actress. Although she had worked in film for over 30 years, she only began to garner attention after playing Frau Farbissina, the diminutive and domineering Germanic cohort of Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers series of comedy films, and has a recurring role as Ms...
. - Aunt May was also mentioned in the Ultimate Spider-ManUltimate Spider-Man (video game)Ultimate Spider-Man is a video game based on the comic book of the same name by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. The game was released for most sixth generation consoles, including PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and Microsoft Windows, as well as a mobile phone...
video game. - Aunt May was mentioned to be a playable character in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 video game which turned out to be an April Fool's joke.
See also
- Spider-Man: Back in BlackSpider-Man: Back in Black"Spider-Man: Back in Black" is a five-part 2007 Marvel Comics storyline written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by Ron Garney , Bill Reinhold , Matt Milla and VC's Cory Petit . All parts were published in the comic book series The Amazing Spider-Man #539-543...
- Spider-Man: One More DaySpider-Man: One More Day"One More Day" is a four-part, 2007 comic book crossover storyline, connecting the six main Spider-Man series concurrently published by Marvel Comics at the time. Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada, with art by Quesada, this story arc concludes the fallout of Spider-Man's actions...
- Spider-Man: Brand New DaySpider-Man: Brand New Day"Brand New Day" is the title of a run of comic book storylines in The Amazing Spider-Man, published by Marvel Comics in 2008. It chronicles the start of Spider-Man's adventures in the aftermath of the big status quo change in the "One More Day" storyline, and continues afterwards into "Spider-Man:...
- One Moment in Time (comics)One Moment in Time (comics)"One Moment in Time" is a 2010 Spider-Man storyline that takes place in The Amazing Spider-Man #638-641, and follows the The Gauntlet and Grim Hunt storylines. Joe Quesada has said that the acronym of O.M.I.T. was intentional and will have an impact on the story...