MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Spider-Woman (2023) #1

It feels like forever since I was able to read another good series starring Spider-Woman. And it is the perfect way to end the year with a bang, and start a new one ahead. This comic book boasts of quick, snappy, and action-packed storytelling paired with art that captures the dynamic energy of our loveable protagonist. With the Gang War about to explode, or implode, depending on how you look at it, you already know it is going to be yet another wild and fun year ahead for Spider-Woman as we all gear up for 2024. I hope everybody has been enjoying playing Spider-Man 2 on Playstation 5, as Spider-Man fans have been eating very well this past year. I am surely looking forward to reading and reviewing even more titles next year as it promises to be another eventful one for Spider-Man and his wall-crawling, web-slinging family.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

November 29, 2023

Writer:

Steve Foxe

Penciler:

Carola Borelli

Cover Artist:

Leinil Francis Yu

GANG WAR: FIRST STRIKE! The Web of Destiny restored Spider-Woman’s life, but even CAPTAIN MARVEL and MADAME WEB can tell something’s changed. Now SPIDER-MAN wants to recruit her for a new team because VIPER has engineered a deadly union between HYDRA and DIAMONDBACK that’s about to tear the city apart, bringing forth a new foe powerful enough to destroy the city while burning Spider-Woman’s world to the ground. DON’T MISS OUT on this action-packed premiere that features CAPTAIN MARVEL, SPIDER-MAN, VIPER and DIAMONDBACK…and introduces a terrifying new force of evil in SPIDER-WOMAN’s world!

PROS:

–        – Spider-Woman gets into a lot of fights in just the first issue, and that’s a good thing for us, even if she came out kind of rough after, because of it. Because if there is one woman who knows how to kick butt and take names later, it is Spider-Woman. I’m glad to see her back in action, taking on all sorts of baddies, from the supers like Armadillo, to gang leaders like Diamondback, to thugs like the poor fools who thought they could take her on in a fair fight.

–        – Spider-Woman’s supporting cast has always been strong, as well. It was nice to see familiar faces like Captain Marvel, Madame Web, and Spider-Man helping her out and lending a hand. Speaking of Spider-Man, I am getting really hyped for the upcoming Gang War. Spidey is acting extra proactive lately, and it seems like he has a solid plan to take down all the gang leaders who are trying to fight it out for control of the city. It will be interesting to see the role that Spider-Woman will play in the next big comic book event. But one thing is for sure: Spider-Man is sounding and looking like he really means business this time around. He is not playing around, and Spider-Woman is also going to have to get in the right state of  mind for the perfect storm that is coming.

–        – Spider-Woman would not be Spider-Woman if she did not have Hydra to worry about. I appreciate how the creative team is working Hydra into her next, big storyline. And the Green Mamba villain looks extra legit, as well. I really welcome all the old, familiar and even the new faces that the creative team are brining aboard this crazy adventure.

CONS:

–         – Maybe the first issue was not as friendly for newer readers, who will probably be wondering what happened with the Web of Destiny and why Spider-Woman is panicking over her son that doesn’t seem to be around anymore.

FINAL GRADE: A

Spider-Woman has always been one of my favorite characters in the Marvel Universe. And I am glad to see her back with her own series. I like how she is doing her thing on the streets, taking down Hydra parties, hunting down thugs, and basically figuring out life. It’ll be a blast seeing how the story progresses as she joins Spider-Man in his Gang War, while also focusing on burning Hydra down. All in all, I really missed Spider-Woman, and seeing her unleash those blasts and charges to neutralize her enemies is a much-needed breath of fresh air. Although, if you’d remember, Carol made it very clear that if Spider-Woman did that to her, it would only be a tickle. Maybe we’ll get to see a Spider-Woman versus Captain Marvel showdown soon to really test that theory.