Spider-Man’s Romantic Interests In Marvel Comics, Ranked
10. Liz Allan
No superhero's romantic history is complete without a high school crush. Liz Allan was Peter Parker’s classmate at Midtown High—smart, beautiful, and originally dating the school’s popular jock, Flash Thompson. Initially indifferent to Peter, Liz’s feelings shifted after he began dating her best friend, Betty Brant. Although their relationship never became romantic, Liz and Peter formed a strong friendship with lingering tension, hinting at what might have been.
9. Debra Whitman
Debra Whitman was a secretary in the biophysics department at Empire State University, where Peter attended college. Introduced in 1979, she and Peter briefly dated, but his constant disappearances (thanks to Spider-Man duties) caused strain on the relationship. Emotionally vulnerable, Debra eventually married an abusive man, which took a toll on her mental health. Her growing suspicions that Peter was Spider-Man were dismissed by others—until Peter finally admitted the truth. By then, it was too late to salvage their connection.
8. Cissy Ironwood
Cissy Ironwood appeared in Marvel Team-Up #79, becoming entangled in Peter’s life after her father, Dr. Daniel Ironwood, created an anti-matter bomb coveted by the Soviet Super-Soldiers. After a joint effort with the Hulk to stop them, Dr. Ironwood tragically died in the conflict. Though Cissy and Peter had a promising connection, she left New York for Montana after her father's death, effectively ending their brief romance.
7. Carlie Cooper
Following the events of One More Day, Peter began dating Carlie Cooper, a forensic expert with the NYPD and a friend of Gwen Stacy’s. Intelligent and dedicated, Carlie grew suspicious of Peter’s double life—especially after being temporarily mutated into a spider-creature by the Jackal. Once she discovered Peter’s secret identity, she felt betrayed and ended the relationship. Despite their breakup, Carlie was one of the few to notice something was off when Doctor Octopus took over Peter’s body during the Superior Spider-Man arc.
6. Betty Brant
Betty Brant, J. Jonah Jameson's secretary at the Daily Bugle, holds the distinction of being Peter’s first girlfriend. She was compassionate and supportive, but tragedy struck when she blamed Spider-Man for her brother’s death. Although their romance was short-lived, the emotional impact lasted, and Betty remains a significant figure in Peter’s personal life.
5. Felicia Hardy
Better known as Black Cat, Felicia Hardy was originally a cat burglar who became romantically involved with Spider-Man. Her attraction was to the masked vigilante more than the man beneath, creating a complicated, often toxic love triangle involving Mary Jane. Although Peter ultimately chose Mary Jane, he was never fully immune to Felicia’s allure. Their on-again, off-again relationship embodied the classic tension between thrill and stability.
4. Kitty Pryde
In the Ultimate Spider-Man universe, Peter dated Kitty Pryde of the X-Men. The two teenage superheroes shared a strong bond, similar values, and mutual attraction. However, the relationship didn’t last—Peter’s heart ultimately belonged to Mary Jane. After their breakup, Kitty returned to the X-Men, and Peter rekindled things with MJ. Their brief time together highlighted Peter’s need for emotional depth over superhero camaraderie.
3. Anna Maria Marconi
Anna Maria Marconi was introduced during the Superior Spider-Man storyline, when Doctor Octopus took control of Peter Parker’s body and tried to prove he could be a better hero. While posing as Peter, Otto began dating Anna, a brilliant student at Empire State University. Anna’s intellect and compassion began to change Otto for the better. When her life was threatened by Norman Osborn, Otto relinquished control of Peter’s body to save her. Although their romance ended, Anna remained a vital ally and confidante after learning the truth.
2. Mary Jane Watson
Mary Jane Watson is arguably the greatest love of Peter Parker’s life. Beautiful, bold, and emotionally resilient, MJ was originally introduced as a blind date set up by Aunt May. Their relationship blossomed over the years, leading to marriage and even a daughter—May "Mayday" Parker, who was tragically stolen by Norman Osborn. Later, their marriage was erased from continuity in the controversial One More Day storyline. Despite cosmic interference, fate continued to draw Peter and MJ back together, reaffirming their enduring connection.
1. Gwen Stacy
Gwen Stacy was Peter Parker’s first true love and the source of his most painful memory. When the Green Goblin kidnapped her and threw her from the George Washington Bridge (sometimes depicted as the Brooklyn Bridge), Spider-Man caught her with a web—but the sudden stop snapped her neck. This tragic moment remains one of the most iconic and heartbreaking scenes in comic book history. Gwen’s death profoundly shaped Peter’s identity, leaving a permanent shadow of guilt alongside the loss of Uncle Ben.
