Spider-Gwen #2 Review

Spider-Gwen, sleeping on the job again………….

Spider-Gwen was birthed from an idea of changing the classic fridged girlfriend to an actual hero of her own right.

Complete with new issues and relations different from the classic Peter.

And Jason Latour manages to create a fresh world with parallels and alteration to the mainstream universe, but Gwendoline Stacy is front and center here in the spotlight.

Robbi Rodriguez continues to give a unique look to this world, and there is a certain dynamic quality to his work that suits Gwen’s adventures.

SPOILERS FOLLOW……………..

We find Gwen down in the dumps – literally.

With a catchy tune (Spider-Gwen, Spider-Gwen, Sleeping on the Job again), we are re-introduced to Peter Porker, the Sporktacular Spider-Ham. Apparently, here he’s a figment of her imagination and the only alternate universe Peter who doesn’t bring about feelings of guilt when she sees him.

We learn that Gwen managed to escape from the perilious fall last issue by creating web wings and gliding into a dump. In the process, she loses her phone which is left at the crime scene.

Captain Stacy manages to remove it and her bag before newly arrived Frank Castle and Jean deWolff (yes, it’s the late pro-Spidey cop. Interesting, both Stacy and deWolff were supporters of Peter’s main universe Spider-Man and are currently deceased) get any evidence on Spider-Woman.

The duo bring in Stacy as they’re visiting an old friend of his, someone he locked up years ago – the Kingpin.

Gwen next wakes up on Mary Jane and Glory’s couch, wearing a sweatshirt (and imaginary Spider-Ham eats her breakfast) and finding out that she passed out in a bar where Randy Robertson found her.

Mary Jane brings up the fact that Gwen ditched them and before it snowballed into an argument, Gwen bails on her former bandmates.

Back in prison, Castle confronts Fisk about the attack at the concert and loses his temper when Fisk denies everything. Before things can reach a breaking point, Fisk’s lawyer sends a voice message detailing that Fisk is a model prisoner and that any attack would bring about legal consequences.

We actually see Matt Murdock on a ledge with the Vulture being reprimanded for attacking Gwen. This is a different Matt, who kills a crow that seems to slightly annoy him.

Learning that Gwen may be still alive (using his super senses to determine whether the Vulture is telling the truth), he threatens Toomes to either find her or he will find him a nest in the ground.

With some helpful advice from the imaginary Spider-Ham, Gwen finally decides to reconcile with her father, who leaves after an uneasy drink with Frank Castle – who’s slightly unhinged at the moment.

Matt Murdock and Frank Castle are proving to be the enigmatic characters on this title. We have no idea what Latour’s endgame for both of these characters is, but it’s fun to be on the ride all the same.

SPOILERS END……………..

This is an intriguing elseworld storyline, not only because of its lovable main character but also because of the supporting cast being widely divergent from their roles in the main universe.

Latour is able to blend humor and pathos in a very classic fassion to give us some heartfelt struggles; while Rodriguez’s dynamic artwork suits Spider-Gwen’s exploits.

So, I give this a 9.0 out of 10.

+The main character’s struggles are well done

+Some great humor and from an unforeseen character!

+The dynamic artwork

+Intriguing alterations to mainstream characters

-The Vulture goes from main villain to plot device