Spider-Man's best love interest in his comics history is his brief romance with Kitty Pryde in the Ultimate Marvel Universe, and their relationship proves his real home should be alongside the X-Men. For years, Spider-Man has always been defined by his relationships with others and feeling like an outcast in his own home of New York. But a successful team-up show that Spider-Man always has a place within the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters.
In Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Brooks, Peter Parker finds love in the form of the mutant Kitty Pryde aka Shadowcat of the X-Men. After breaking up with Mary Jane out of fear for her safety, Peter begins a friendship and romance with Kitty, who already has a huge crush on Spider-Man. Spider-Man and Shadowcat start fighting crime together and growing as a couple, but the true test of their relationship begins in Ultimate Spider-Man #91-94 by Bendis and Mark Bagley. This story arc sees Deadpool make his Ultimate comics debut by infiltrating the X-Mansion and kidnapping the X-Men, including Kitty and Spidey as a “bonus.”
Spider-Man Fits Perfectly with Kitty Pryde And The X-Men
Spider-Man and the X-Men team up against Deadpool and his anti-mutant squad, the Reavers, proving that Peter should have joined up with the mutants sooner. Deadpool brings Spider-Man and the X-Men to Krakoa Island, a prison/reality show where its mutants prisoners are hunted down and killed on live TV. It’s here where Spidey has to worry not just about the safety of his allies but also for his girlfriend. Since they are being filmed for a live audience, the cameras capture Spider-Man and Shadowcat being more than just friends on the battlefield. Not only that, the world watches as Spider-Man is classified as a mutant who is fighting alongside the “mutant terrorists” while Deadpool hunts them for sport.
Defending the honor of his girlfriend Kitty and her friends makes Spider-Man feels like an honorary X-Men. The X-Men are no strangers to violence and ignorance when it comes to defending themselves and their powers. Spider-Man is still constantly treated as a pariah by the police in his own city but understands that needs a hero like him. No matter how many anti-mutant supporters like William Stryker and the Reavers appear, Spider-Man and the X-Men never back down from injustice of any kind. Even though Kitty can defend herself with her phasing abilities, Spider-Man still views her and the X-Men as the extended family he’s always needed. Here is a family that understands what it means to live with abilities they didn’t ask for, but they learn to use them for the greater good.
Spider-Man Can Have a Better Life With The X-Men
Spider-Man doesn’t have to hide who he is or whom he loves when he’s around the X-Men. With Kitty Pryde by his side, Peter can bond with people who have similarities his human friends can’t relate to. Though Kitty and Peter’s romance is short-lived due in no small part to Mary Jane, there’s no doubt that Spider-Man as a mutant student at the X-Mansion is a better place for him to grow as a hero. Spider-Man learning more about his abilities by training with the X-Men as a student and continuing to date Kitty Pryde is the perfect environment for him to become a true X-Men member.