With the SPIDER-VERSE story arc over and the dust only beginning to settle, you may have noticed a shift in the shape of Peter Parker’s part of the Marvel Universe.
It’s got *gasp* girl heroes! Three of ’em, even!
Yes, three new books have made their way out to you Marvel readers, each featuring a female protagonist, two of whom are brand-spankin’ new. But with MS. MARVEL already dominating and SHE-HULK‘s book sadly finished, the obvious question becomes – is their room in the sky for three new, distaff Spider-Man counterparts?
Probably not. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it while it lasts. So let’s look at why you should be reading the comics for each of our gals – SPIDER-WOMAN, SPIDER-GWEN, and SILK!
SILK
So! Elephant in the room – we’ve still got a slew of copies of SILK #1 sitting on the stands right now. Which doesn’t bode well for newcomer, Cindy Moon, nor her creative team, Robbie Thompson, Stacey Lee, et al.
And that’s a shame because the centerpiece for the Spider-Verse story arc has a real solid story already in her own book. Girl out of time, missing family, and a complicated relationship to Peter Parker himself, Cindy’s got all the makings of a relatable super-hero. Plus, she’s one of the scant few Korean characters in the regular Marvel roster right now.
Even though her family is MIA, Cindy Moon is deeply affected by them. We get flashbacks of what her home life was like before she wound up in a lonely bunker, hidden away for a decade. And what we see isn’t so dissimilar from the kind of interactions we see between Kamala Khan and her family.
What it boils down to is this – if you’re looking for a book that marries the web-slinging sensibilities of Spider-Man with the more modern, slice-of-life style from Ms. Marvel, Silk is probably the book you ought to be reading.
SPIDER-WOMAN
If there’s a true dark horse among this three-some it is, unquestionably, Jessica Drew. While Silk may not have sold out, SPIDER-WOMAN #5 is seeing attention for all the wrong reasons.
While the comic-reading world was divided on Milo Manara’s butt-tastic variant cover to Spider-Woman #1, it’s her new costume that’s been universally agreed upon. And that response is “eh”. It’s not terrible, it’s not great, it’s just not particularly… right. That’s the consensus. And that tepid response mixed with kickstarting the new adventures of Jessica Drew at a number five rather than a number one isn’t helping things either.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be reading! Especially if you’ve been longing for something that feels less superhero and more A.K.A. Jessica Jones. Yes, it’s impossible to miss writer Dennis Hopeless’s homage to the Bendis new classic, ALIAS. Spider-Woman’s a detective, and she spends a lot of time being duped and getting it wrong. Throw in a snarky attitude, and the new Jessica Drew is definitely the new Jessica Jones.
And whether or not you’re happy with the costume or the fact that she left the Avengers, there’s no mistaking the potential for a more street-savvy, motorcycle riding, ain’t-afraid-to-fight-dirty Spider-Woman. So if you haven’t given her a shot yet, do. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
SPIDER-GWEN
And if there’s one hero who’s off to the best start it is, undoubtedly, Gwen Stacey. Spidey fans have loved Gwen since time immemorial, so the chance to see her in a new alt. universe where she was the one who got bit by that radioactive spider? Well that’s about as right as it can get.
And while Jessica Drew’s costume hasn’t played well with fans, you’re guaranteed to see multiple Spider-Gwen’s at every convention you go to. Rightly so. The stark-white and black, mixed with purple – and that hood! It’s costume-design perfection.
All that, and the book ain’t bad either. Much like Peter, Gwen’s not exactly beloved in her city either. And while her father tries to help, her reputation is tearing his down more than his is bolstering her’s up.
Yes, it definitely feels like a Spidey book just left of center. Which would explain why it sold out so quickly. Lucky for you the story’s easy to pick up AND SPIDER- GWEN #2 is out this week.
But you tell us next time you’re in the shop – who’s your favorite of the new(ish) Spider-Women?
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