Spider-Woman #1 Review

World Weary.

I’ve restricted myself to Spider books in the recent past, with the mythology of the Marvel universe at large proving too much even for me – so Spider-Woman is an interesting conundrum.

She may bear one of the more standard Spider names, but her connections to Peter and his ‘family’ is tenuous at best, thus making her easy to avoid if you want to focus on everything that impacts the one and only Amazing Spider-Man.

But just like every Spider, she’s had her share of guilt and responsibility – and it’s a stark contrast to Silk, who may be one of the most connected characters to the Multiversal Web yet the least knowledgeable about the world she inhabits. And that is played out in this issue.

Hopeless and Land provide a good contrast to the lead pair – but there’s a degree of superficiality that the book can never seem to escape.

SPOILERS FOLLOW…………..

First of all, read Amazing Spider-Man #10. As usual, the #1 numbering is a misnomer as this is just a Spider-Verse tie-in right now. It may evolve into something more in the aftermath of the event, but for now do not think this is a standalone title.

Events of Amazing Spider-Man #10 lead Spider-Woman aka Jessica Drew to join up with Silk and Spider-Man Noir to escape the clutches of the Inheritors, a group of vampire like individuals who eat totemic superheroes like Spider-Man. And with Silk’s connections to the web stronger than most, she’s a homing beacon for the hunters.

The main protagonist is Jessica, but you could be forgiven for thinking this is a team-up book as Silk is given as much if not more focus.

Mainly, this book is a showcase in the difference of viewpoints of Cindy and Jessica, shaped by their experiences. While Jessica is a seasoned veteran and card holder of the Avengers having experienced world ending situations too many times, Cindy is the newbie – having just started the superhero gig.

This could have led to some great friction – but Hopeless bottoms it out to clichés. Silk and Jessica never escape the stereotypes put upon them.

There are some nice visuals as the group traverse various universes to escape their predators – but again, there’s not depth to be found.

And another problem is that it jumps in and out of the main event too many times, never finding it’s own identity. When Spider-Man Noir is grievously injured and they return to his universe (being cared for by a masked Felicia Hardy. Don’t Ask. Just read his book), another interaction between Jessica and Cindy just adds to the confusion of what Hopeless is trying to establish with the 'main' character.

When Peter comes to relieve her of ‘taking care of Silk’ (as she puts it) for another mission, it comes across as a little forced – and breaks up an opportunity to delve deeper into their relationship.

And lo, and behold – Silk does the most stereotypical thing possible for a person in her position. She runs away to another universe (who’s bright idea was it to give her a multiversal transporter?) closely followed by a sibling group of Inheritors.

There’s a lot of potential in this pairing, but at every turn sabotage is suspect. There’s barely time to settle down, but when the quiet and the frantic moments both feel manufactured, you have a lot of problems.

Not to mention some seriously doubtful dialogue (a battle cry should never be ‘lets go take our beating’).

SPOILERS END……………..

There’s potential in this book, but a host of problems are drowning it out. The artwork itself is nothing to write home about, especially the all-too-similar facial work.

Launching a standalone character book in the middle of an event is a death wish, and this is a very good example of that.

So, I give this a 4.5 out of 10.

+The pairing itself is a good contrast

-Artwork sub-par

-Too many clichéd actions

-Manufactured moments

-No proper identity of itself

-Some awful dialogues