The Paul thing is probably being in the Jackpot one-shot and mini, being the "guy in the chair" support, try to make him more likeable. Honestly, I don't know if they'll address the problems in the run. While, yes, they were put in such an akward situation with seperating MJ and Peter (for THE MOST SUPIDEST REASON EVER), Paul's forced existence from Wells and Lowe, both faliures of Dead Language and Jackpot concept cold reception from the fans, that IT NEEDS TO BE addressed and resolved before the run ends, I just don't see how they'll do it between #46 - #49 (between "Gang War" and "Return of the Goblin") and #55 - #60 (between "Return of the Goblin" and the end of the run). Either they'll "sweep it under the rug", act like nothing has happened and move on (because that would mean that they admit that they screwed up majorly) or leave their mess for the next run's writer to clean up (if either he wants to or being allowed to).
Who here would find it funny if all of MJ post OMD bfs ended up in a poly gay relationship. Paul x Bobby Carr x Pedro. OTT. or one true threesome.
"He's pure power and doesn't even know it. He's the best of us."-Matt Murdock
"I need a reason to take the mask off."-Peter Parker
"My heart half-breaks at how easy it is to lie to him. It breaks all the way when he believes me without question." Felicia Hardy
I understand the reasons to do it, but frankly, start all over again the threads around characters every year, is a real bummer.
I can't believe they're actually advertising the Jackpot one-shot with this:
There will be time for cringe later. Right now it's USM time.