MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY- Spider-Gwen: Smash #2

The new year 2024 is starting off strong. I am still wrapping my head around the events of Ultimate Spider-Man, but for this article, I’ll be doing a review of the latest issue of Spider-Gwen. And there’s a lot of SMASH! It’s refreshing seeing Gwen spend more time in her original universe, and we as readers are treated to a more nuanced superhero tale, without all the craziness of multiple realities. We get to see the real and true tension that anybody who has dual lives must deal with… and the friction that it causes to the people around that person. So, in this issue, the plot is simple: Gwen must act as Dazzler’s bodyguard, and because of this, this takes her away from her band duties. Understandably, some feelings are hurt, and some arguments pop up.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

January 10, 2024

Writer:

Melissa Flores

Penciler:

Enid Balam

Cover Artist:

David Nakayama

DEEP DISH AND DEEP TROUBLE! Next tour stop – CHICAGO! Gwen pulls double duty as drummer and secret bodyguard for Dazzler as tensions threaten to tear both bands apart. Plus, Hulk attacks again, but this time, he’s not alone! What is Earth-65’s Bruce Banner really after?

PROS:

• I think I prefer these more down-to-earth, grounded stories of Gwen, as we get to share more time with her bandmates. In the future, I totally would not mind getting a mini-series about just Gwen and her friends going around the world and literally just jamming and rocking, with purely good vibes. But for now, the intrigue with this series comes from all the internal turmoil that Gwen has to endure as she tries to balance her duty as a superhero with her obligations to her best friends.
• Dazzler dazzles once again in this issue, and almost equals Gwen in terms of being the star of the show. This universe’s Dazzler has such a strong superstar presence, and I think that if Marvel wanted to give her a separate ongoing series, it would work 100%. I can imagine so many different paths, routes, and possibilities Marvel can take with their storytelling of this version of Dazzler.
• The Hulk fights always deliver on the action side of things. He is posing enough of a threat that Gwen and Dazzler have to train and prepare for, but what is more exciting is the evil forces that lurk behind the obvious threat of a wild Hulk. As Dazzler mentioned, her stalker is not merely trying to take her or her life. Everything and everybody she holds dear is being targeted.
• Natasha is also another breakout star in this comic book, and it is amazing to me how in the short span of two issues, the creative team has already instantly come up with such loveable new characters for us. I say Marvel should just let this team cook and further develop more stories with all these new characters.
• I am always all-in for more girl-power stories, and this is definitely that. The women have taken over in this one, and it looks like it is going to be one fun, and bumpy, ride ahead.

CONS:

• Man, they’re doing my boy Rick Jones dirty in this one. I really hope that he finds some kind of justice or redemption, because right now, it just seems all downhill for the dude. I am hoping he gets to show his heroic side soon in a rebound character arc.

FINAL GRADE: A

While there is nothing life-changing or revolutionary in terms of scale, that is maybe just exactly what we need from Gwen right now. We want to see her as a normal, human, teenager trying to be a rockstar, while trying to live her own life without having to be a superhero 24/7. Messy, right? It’s this kind of drama that will keep us glued to the pages of the next issues. While more stalker craziness and attacks on Dazzler may be the blockbuster portion of the series, I think it’s nice that we get to see the more intimate, personal, and triggered side of Gwen and her bandmates. Also, if you’re just looking for new characters to read about and fall in love with, Dazzler and her group will definitely keep you coming back for more.