Jessica Drew is stuck in the middle of the NYC Gang War, and she’s got a venom-blast with Diamondback’s name on it. Your Major Spoilers review of Spider-Woman #2 from Marvel Comics awaits!
SPIDER-WOMAN #2
Writer: Steve Foxe
Artist: Carola Borelli
Colorist: Arif Prianto
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Editor: Ellie Pyle
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 27, 2023
Previously in Spider-Woman: On the trail of the ruthless Diamondback and his mysterious backers, Spider-Woman is forced to commit a little corporate espionage, which may bury her in a dark corner of her past. Plus, the shadowy Green Mamba prowls for a rematch Spider-Woman may not be ready for!
ON THE TRAIL OF DIAMONDBACK
After crossing paths (and swords) with gang lord Diamondback and his new Hydra-backed flunky, the Green Viper, last issue, Spider-Woman has had to take her quest for revenge underground. With the help of Tilda Johnson, the former Deadly Nightshade, she discovers the real secret of Diamondback’s new super-drug: It’s based on a patented formula owned by a pharmaceutical company that may be a front for Hydra. The situation just screams out for a spy, so Jessica loses her spider-suit and infiltrates the organization to investigate. What she finds is her old nemesis Madame Hydra A.K.A. The Viper, providing support and funding for Diamondback’s bid for gang supremacy in New York City. Worse still, when she asks about her missing son, Spider-Woman hears the words she’s been dreading.
Viper has taken her son and intends to make sure that Jessica never sees him again.
MISSING CHARACTER PLUS MYSTERY CHARACTER EQUALS?
Last issue’s reveal of the mysterious masked Green Mamba at the same time that the story begins focusing on the loss of Gerry Drew makes me quite certain that he’s the one under the mask. But it’s hard to say whether that’s a failing of the story or a successful hint by the writer at what’s coming. The art is equally spirited yet puzzling, with some really excellent moments (like Spider-Woman emerging from the suspended ceiling of the Hydra base or the subtle moment when she trips an alarm) and some that required me to go back and re-read (like the last page reveal of Spider-Woman falling to her doom, even though she’s able to fly and/or glide.) All in all, this issue feels like a good place for a couple of young creators to do some interesting work, using the Gang War crossover in the best way, as a sales boost for Spider-Woman.
BOTTOM LINE: IT’S NICE TO SEE SOME NEW MATCH-UPS
That ending, combined with the possibility that we’re going to see Gerry Drew get aged up, does make things a bit more complicated, but overall, Spider-Woman #2 is a good comic, pairing Jessica with foes new and old and hopefully getting a sales boost from Gang War, with strong art that could use just a touch more nuance shaking down to 3 out of 5 stars overall. Even if you know nothing about Spider-Woman at all, it could easily be your gateway to Ms. Drew’s corner of the Marvel Universe.
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SPIDER-WOMAN #2
It's good to see Marvel using a big crossover to launch a new series, and even with some slight irregularities, this is an okay issue.
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Writing6
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Art6
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Coloring6
Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.