“One More Day” and “Brand New Day” were particularly controversial comics as they essentially retconned decades’ worth of established Spider-Man lore. The attempt to return Spider-Man to his roots as a single superhero undermined his life with Mary Jane, leading to backlash among fans of this development. Unsurprisingly, then, those aware of the “Brand New Day” storyline are concerned about its adaptation to the big screen being met with a similar backlash.

Then again, the adaptation of the comic book run is likely in good hands with Marvel Studios. Spider-Man: No Way Home is already proof of how well Marvel handled the first part of the storyline. It stands to reason that Spider-Man: Brand New Day would continue this positive trend – at least, that is the hope.

Why Marvel’s Brand New Day Story Was So Controversial

It Undermined Peter And MJ’s Relationship

“Brand New Day” was expressly designed to reboot Spider-Man’s story, bringing him back to his roots. To do this, Marvel Comics had to undermine many years of development with Peter Parker and MJ – two characters who boast one of the most iconic romances in comics. With their longstanding romance culminating in their marriage, granting them a life of happiness while Spider-Man continued with his superheroics, it felt like a satisfying arc that took place over many years, with plenty of new directions still open to them.

Still, instead of opting to have their relationship break down naturally in a way that could have enriched their arc, Marvel decided to retcon the whole thing through Mephisto’s magic. While this was a suitable enough tool to reinstate Spider-Man’s anonymity, it reset everything and removed the weight of everything that came before. I’ll admit that audiences were far from united on the issue, with some fans ᴀsserting that this was a satisfying way to bring Spider-Man back to his roots – but it was a risky move that still lingers.

How The MCU Can Avoid Repeating What Made the Comic Brand New Day Story Controversial

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Needs To Treat Spider-Man And MJ’s Relationship With Respect

Marvel Studios needs to ensure that Spider-Man: Brand New Day does not trivialize Peter Parker and MJ’s MCU relationship. Ensuring that there is still a narrative significance in their history despite MJ now being oblivious to Peter Parker entirely helps make their relationship meaningful. MJ forgetting Peter Parker was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the MCU, and the weight of Peter Parker’s decision to keep MJ in the dark should still be at the forefront of the narrative.

Thankfully, Spider-Man: No Way Home has already set this up. Unlike Marvel Comics’ “Brand New Day,” the MCU’s Peter Parker is fully aware of his past relationship with MJ (and friendship with Ned, of course). This knowledge already heralds even more heartbreaking moments as he is able to reflect on the love he has lost – something which may be even harder to watch if another love interest like Gwen Stacy makes her MCU debut in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

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  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

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  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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