Peter Parker’s Spider-Man has a brand-new love interest, taking Mary Jane Watson’s traditional spot as the hero’s romantic partner. Here’s everything you need to know about Spidey’s new love match.
Spider-Man Has a New Love Interest in Raelith
In today’s Amazing Spider-Man #15 – from Joe Kelly, Emilio Laiso, Joe Caramagna, Marcio Menyz, Marte Gracia and Erick Arciniega – Spider-Man locks lips with alien warrior ‘Raelith the Wretched.’
After Spidey risks his life in gladiatorial combat to clear Rocket Raccoon’s debts – then releases his new sentient suit mid-fight once he realizes it’s an enslaved sentient – Raelith is apparently moved by his nobility and self-sacrifice.
Raelith grabs Peter in the hallway of their ship and plants one on him, with Peter enthusiastically reciprocating.
Prior to his exile from Earth, Spider-Man was casually dating psychiatric nurse Shay Marken, who had begun to notice the ‘flakiness’ that’s a side-effect of his vigilante life.
Who Is Spider-Man’s New Love Interest Raelith?
It’s a surprising time for Peter to find a new love interest, given he’s never been known as a space hero. However, after battling the powerful Hellgate, Peter has effectively been banished from Earth, working with the villainous Xanto Starblood on a way to return victorious.
However, Pete’s alliance with Xanto ran into trouble when he learned that the evil xenobiologist had captured scores of aliens on his ship. Spider-Man freed the aliens, with several sticking around as his new crew – Rocket and Raelith included.
Little is known about Raelith other than the fact she’s a superstrong alien warrior who appears to come from a culture where battle conflates with personal honor. However, so far she’s a fascinating character who mirrors some of Peter’s most essential traits…
Our Take on Raelith as Spider-Man’s New Love Interest
As her name suggests, Raelith appears to have a lot of self-loathing, and it’s hinted she may be fleeing some kind of terrible crime/dishonor in her past. During previous battles, she was incredibly quick to accept blame, and even second-guesses herself when kissing Peter.
Spider-Man is known for his own self-doubt and self-loathing – a facet which isn’t usually present in his love interests. At the same time, Raelith has a penchant for violence that theoretically makes her a terrible match for Pete. When the crew were discussing Xanto’s fate, Raelith cheerfully suggested unimaginable torture.
However, Raelith isn’t the first antihero Spidey has dated, and his romance with Black Cat led to one of his most enduring romances and friendships. Ultimately, Raelith is a unique match for Peter, and another reason he may not be in a hurry to return to Earth. Indeed, as the two kiss, Peter thinks, “I’m not hiding. I’m just… on vacation. Honest.”
Spider-Man is usually one of Marvel’s most grounded heroes, making this ‘space opera’ era a fascinating change of pace. It’s therefore exciting to see Spider-Man meet a love interest totally different to the women he’s dated previously.
The Amazing Spider-Man #15 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- First Appearance
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Amazing Fantasy
- Alias
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Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner
- Alliance
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Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors
- Race
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Human