Spider-Man has had numerous jobs, but none of these is as surprising as the time he wanted to be Magic Mike. Peter Parker is highly intelligent and hard-working even if he doesn’t always succeed at being punctual or keeping a job. Amazing Spider-Man #298 showed Spidey trying to be a Chippendale dancer in his own home – though it didn’t go very well.
The first Magic Mike film came out in 2012. It has also had a sequel and will be the inspiration for The Real Magic Mike, an upcoming competition show on HBO Max. The film focuses on the world of male strippers, particularly a group known as the Kings of Tampa. There is very little chance that Peter Parker could ever be a part of this group – not based on his looks, but on the fact that he can’t really dance or pull off the gig. He proved this in a comic from 1988.
Amazing Spider-Man #298 was created by David Michelinie, Todd McFarlane, Bob McLeod, Janet Jackson, Rick Parker, and Ken Lopez. It largely focuses on Spider-Man’s effort to take down Chance – a villain recently featured in Nick Spencer’s Amazing Spider-Man run. In this ’80s run, Chance is involved with the Life Foundation. However, Peter is also dealing with married life with Mary Jane. The two live together and since they aren’t unpacked, Peter gets a little frustrated before realizing he isn’t being fair. It is at this moment that he decides to do something nice for her – which leads to comical failure.
Peter spies a magazine with a Chippendale on the cover and that’s when inspiration strikes. When Mary Jane comes home, he’s in his underwear and he speaks with his worst French accent impression. Peter’s hoping to be an attentive husband just looking after his wife and giving her a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, he’s the one surprised since Mary Jane has brought her hairdresser home with her. Both women see him when MJ opens the door and Peter is left feeling less like a good husband and more like a goof. This is particularly evident when he runs and hides in the bedroom, positively mortified.
Although Peter’s marriage in comics doesn’t last thanks to the continual curse of retcons, no one can accuse him of not trying to be a good husband. He is notorious for failing to be able to properly dedicate his time to a lot of important things: school, jobs, relationships, friends, and family. Peter Parker’s inability to hold a job also creates further problems for him financially – another staple of his character. Nonetheless, as this comic shows, it isn’t for lack of trying. He is a genuinely good guy who wants to do right by his friends, his family, and even his foes at times when he seeks to redeem them. Yet there doesn’t seem to be any way for him to be better at this random job. While Peter Parker failed to be a successful Magic Mike, he does succeed at being a husband who cares – Mary Jane should definitely give him an A for effort and thoughtfulness, even if the execution was less than perfect.
