MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Spider-Woman #19

It is always such a joy when I get to review major comic book events that also cross over into the more specific and character-centric Spider-Man family titles like Spider-Woman this week. The Devil’s Reign is causing much stress and disaster in our Marvel heroes’ lives, and Spider-Woman is one of the many victims not spared by the wrath of the Kingpin. As described in the introduction of this week’s issue, Wilson Fisk, the former Kingpin of crime, and current mayor of New York, enacted a reign of terror over the city aimed specifically at costumed vigilantes. Spider-Woman became a target, and after Fisk discovered that her real name was Jessica Drew, her loved ones became targets too. Fisk had his Thunderbolts rough up Jess’ good friend, Lindsay McCabe. But that was just the beginning. He also released one of Jess’ archenemies from confinement in the Ravencroft Institute—an enemy who Jess believed to be dead: the Skrull Queen Veranke. While Jess was preoccupied with Lindsay, the now freed Veranke shape-shifted into Spider-Woman and went to kidnap Jess’ son. The question is… who will fall for her tricks?

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

February 02, 2022

Writer:

Karla Pacheco

Penciler:

Pere Perez

Cover Artist:

Jung-Geun Yoon

A DEVIL’S REIGN TIE-IN! SPIDER-WOMAN VS. SPIDER-WOMAN?! But HOW?! Jessica Drew must question everything. Starting with whether she is the true Jessica Drew!!

SEEING DOUBLE! DOUBLE TROUBLE!

PROS:

• As a huge fan of the Secret Invasion storyline and event, I’m definitely throwing a big parade to welcome Veranke back. She will always make a fitting villain for Spider-Woman, given their very intense and complicated history together, plus it goes to show us how far Kingpin is willing to go to get his way with New York City’s heroes. Veranke is a legitimate earth-threatening, alien threat and Spider-Woman has her hands full with this one… on top of the fact that she has to protect her family and friends amidst all the mayhem.
• I appreciate how the creative team is taking time to go back to the past, planting the seeds of pain again that Secret Invasion once brought to the life of Spider-Woman. And apparently, up to now, both Spider-Woman and even her allies still have not yet fully recovered from the effects of the event. And that is what Veranke is still trying to latch on to… with mixed results.
• I think I spotted a Sweet Chin Music reference and I am LOVING IT. More professional wrestling and sports entertainment moves in your action sequences, please!
• Gerry, the little goober, as accurately described, is such a cutie… and apparently a natural! He has future superhero written all over him. It was also quite funny when Spider-Woman admitted it was more difficult to hit a Skrull version of Gerry versus a Skrull version of Clint, since he is more “punchable.”
• The comic ended perfectly with the Anti-Arachnine showing themselves as the next big threat that Spider-Woman will have to worry about in the near future. It was awfully nice of them to spare her for now, since she had such a tough day, and it would be unsporting. One would wish all super-villains could be so thoughtful and kind. Consideration is a very attractive trait nowadays.

CONS:

• Really, Veranke? Turning into Iron Man was the best you could think of when trying to trick and fool Spider-Woman? Of course she would see through that! Plus, you could have thrown an insult or two to make the act more believable, as Spider-Woman mentioned. It sure got interesting though when Spider-Woman got confused with Spider-Man and Captain Marvel showing up! Just leave it to Gerry to zap-zap bad auntie Carol! The actual fight between Spider-Woman and the exposed green and Skrull-y Veranke was too short, though, in my humble opinion! That is definitely a main event fight, worthy of pay-per-view.

FINAL GRADE: A

All in all, this book will deliver for both fans of the larger scale comic book events, and followers of Spider-Woman throughout the years. And for those who have been sticking around since the days of Secret Invasion, the payoff will be all the sweeter at the end of the day. Are you guys excited to see how Kingpin’s reign plays out in the next coming weeks?