History:
MARY DRAKE
Real Name: Mary Drake
Identity/Class: Human (Pre-Modern
Era)
Occupation: Secretary
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Joe Banning, Stella Wray
Enemies: None
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Los Angeles, California, USA
First Appearance: Our Love Story I#9 (February, 1971)
Powers/Abilities: Mary was an excellent secretary.
Height: Unrevealed
(approximately 5'8")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 120 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
History:
(Our Love Story I#9) - Mary Drake served as secretary to actor Joe Banning but secretly was infatuated with him. When actress Stella Wray came to Joe's office to pick him for a trip to the yacht club, Mary was stung at seeing Joe with another woman.
Mary also found it difficult to watch on soundstages as Joe performed love scenes with Stella. After one day's work, Joe asked Mary to reserve a table for Stella and him at a restaurant. Mary did so, despite her heartbreak.
When Joe was nominated for an Academy Award for acting, Mary watched the program on her television. Joe won the award then said on television that he was thinking of marriage. Mary assumed he was planning to marry Stella. The next day, Joe confirmed to Mary that he was going to get married and he wanted her to arrange his social life from then on. Despite her heartbreak, Mary arranged the venue, the photographer and teh wedding cake. She resolved that although Joe getting married would mean the end of her fantasies about him, she'd always have his films.
One day, Joe came into the office with an engagement ring and asked Mary to wear it on her finger. Joe asked if Mary liked it and she agreed that she did; then Joe told her the ring was hers; Joe had long ago realized how important Mary was to him and she was the one he wanted to marry but he'd hesitated to tell her because from his perspective, she seemed aloof. Joe and Mary kissed.
Comments: Created by Stan Lee, John Buscema and Dick Ayers.
This profile was completed on 02/24/2026 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Mary Drake should not be confused with:
Joe Banning was an actor. Mary Drake served as his secretary and she was infatuated with him. After Joe won an Academy Award for acting, he announced on television that he was thinking of marriage. Mary assumed he was in love with his co-star Stella but Joe had actually fallen in love with Mary and he had her arrange the details of the wedding. After buying the engagement ring, Joe gave it to Mary and revealed she was the one he wanted to marry.
--Our Love Story I#9
Stella Wray was an actress who served as a co-star in films with Joe Banning. Mary was jealous of Stella because she assumed Joe was in love with her, but Joe was actually in love with Mary - his relationship with Stella seemed to be platonic.
--Our Love Story I#9
images: (without ads)
Our Love Story I#9, page 2, panel 1 (main)
Our Love Story I#9, page 1 (face)
Our Love Story I#9, page 2, panel 3 (Joe)
Our Love Story I#9, page 2, panel 2 (Stella)
Appearances:
Our Love Story I#9 (February, 1971) - Stan Lee (writer, editor), John
Buscema (penciler), Dick Ayers (inker)
First posted: 09/25/2026
Last updated:
02/24/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
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