Two Marvel characters share a connection in the comics, but theMCUhas made it impossible for their relationship to translate on screen. Withthe sheer number of heroes that reside in New York City, it’s no wonder that so many of them have crossed paths before. The Defenders may be ground-level heroes, but they have their fair share of Avengers-level contacts.
In Marvel Comics, it’s established that bothPeter Parkerand Jessica Jones attended Midtown High School at the same time. The two were friendly with each other, especially bonding after they both lost a parent. However, their MCU counterparts have been set up in a way where their comic dynamic cannot be recreated.
The MCU’s Spider-Man Backstory Cements Him As One Of the Franchise’s Younger Heroes Currently
Peter Parker Is 15 In His MCU Debut
A new, younger generation of superheroes has been forming in the Multiverse Saga, but Peter can undoubtedly be acknowledged as the one who started it all. When he makes his MCU debut inSpider-Man: Homecoming,he’s around 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. He became the franchise’s youngest hero by a landslide.
It’s clear how young Peter is, especially when Spider-Man initially joins the other Avengers in theCaptain America: Civil Warairport battle. While he isn’t exactly immature, his lack of life and battle experience is obvious when he’s put up against the other Avengers. Peter’sCivil Wararc led directly intoHomecoming, which was where Tony started acting as his mentor.
Peter’s character growth inHomecominginvolves him realizing the real risks and responsibilities that come with the Avengers title. Although he’s matured immensely by the time ofSpider-Man: No Way Home, he’s still considerably young. He was still awaiting college acceptances,making him even younger than other Young Avengerslike Riri Williams and Kate Bishop.
Jessica Jones’s MCU Story Makes Her Backstory With Spider-Man Effectively Impossible For The Franchise To Repeat
Jessica Is In Her Late 20s In Jessica Jones Season 1
While the MCU’s Peter is currently barely out of his teens, Jessica was introduced as an adult.She’s alreadyin her late 20s in season one ofJessica Jones, and the age-up made sense for the mature themes that the series tackled. It was a necessary decision, but it makes it impossible for the MCU to recreate her comic friendship with Peter.
In the comics, Peter and Jessica’s connection stems from them meeting as students at Midland High School. Not only is that shared factor gone, but it’s unrealistic for them to have the same sort of friendship when they differ in age. That doesn’t mean that they’ll never interact in theMCU, but their connection is going to look vastly different from their original comic backstory.
