A significant shift in the narrative of Spider-Man comics appears to be underway with the release of All-New Venom #9, written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Carlos Gomez. This issue culminates in a critical moment between Mary Jane Watson, who has recently become the new Venom host, and her boyfriend, Paul Rabin.
In a tense confrontation, Paul reveals that their foster child, Dylan Brock—formerly the host of the Venom symbiote—has learned about Mary Jane’s new connection to the symbiote. Instead of laying blame solely on Mary Jane for her secrecy, Paul introspects and acknowledges his shortcomings in their relationship. He vows to improve himself, but the conversation takes a somber turn when Mary Jane asserts that their relationship has long been fractured and tells Paul she is ending things. This moment is likely to resonate positively with many fans who have been critical of Paul since his introduction.
Paul Rabin has faced significant backlash from the Spider-Man fanbase, often being compared unfavorably to other iconic villains. Critics argue that his character serves little purpose apart from being a barrier between Peter Parker and Mary Jane, reminiscent of the fan tumult when One More Day was released. Paul is perceived as a classic example of ineffective storytelling; while the comics imply he possesses good qualities, his actions fail to reflect this notion. After three years, he lacks a solid personality and is primarily remembered for his unremarkable attributes like being a vegetarian and having a hipster appearance.
His involvement in helping Mary Jane transition into the superhero Jackpot has also been frowned upon. Fans have expressed fatigue with this narrative twist, as it seems designed to distract rather than develop the characters meaningfully. Moreover, the powers attributed to Mary Jane through Paul have faced criticism for lacking coherence.
With All-New Venom #9 now on shelves, fans are hopeful that this pivotal turn might signal the end of Paul’s run in the story, potentially opening new avenues for character development and relationships within the Spider-Man universe.