MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Spider-Woman #3 REVIEW

This one was crazy! That big reveal at the end was really something. I think I’m going to need a couple of beers to recover after that conclusion. Typing all this down, I am still attempting to get over and move on from that shocker of a cliffhanger. But before we get ahead of ourselves, I just want to take this time to say that the world is always a better place when Spider-Woman has her own series going on. And I’m not going to lie: despite a lot of early hate and low expectations, I, personally, am really looking forward to the Madame Web movie in February. It’s going to be the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and honestly, any movie with Sydney Sweeney is an instant must-watch for me. Anything related to Marvel or Spider-Man that I can get in the cinemas will always be a winner for me. So having Madame Web pop up in this issue, and actually play a large, major role in Spider-Woman’s character journey and development was much appreciated.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

January 24, 2024

Writer:

Steve Foxe

Penciler:

Carola Borelli

Cover Artist:

Leinil Francis Yu

GANG WAR RAGES ON! Spider-Woman tried to take down Diamondback’s operation from the top…and barely escaped with her life. Now she’s angrier than ever and ready to hit him – and Hydra – where it hurts. Jessica Drew goes street level as GANG WAR nears its brutal conclusion!

PROS:

• First of all, I do want to give credit where it is due. The handling of Spider-Woman’s tragic “loss” of her son is being executed significantly better than it is on MJ’s side. This issue really shows the turmoil, the stress, and the insanity that Spider-Woman is having to compete with as she tries to look for her son, or at the very least, prove that he even existed in the first place. The script and artwork in this chapter depict a strong woman on the outside, but a broken person on the inside. And this immediately makes readers sympathize and feel for Spider-Woman.
• Like I mentioned earlier, it was a delight to see Madame Web still making her presence felt. And even she admitted that there was never a time that she was particularly close to Spider-Woman, but nevertheless, the ladies have to stick together, right? And Madame Web did probably the most important favor or gesture that anybody has done for Spider-Woman in a long time. She gave Spider-Woman hope, and confirmed that her son truly exists. The next problem: how to find him. Trust me… wait for it.
• That leads me to my next point, which is the good ol’ Spider-Woman versus Hydra rivalry. Yes, because of the Gang War, the spotlight is really given to Spider-Woman’s personal vendetta against Diamondback. But at the root of it all, we know that Spider-Woman will be duking it out with Hydra at the end of the day. And we really wouldn’t have it any other way. The conniving, sinister, and strategic moves that Hydra is willing to do, in order to make Spider-Woman’s life a living hell are clearly doing its damage. It will be epic to see how Spider-Woman eventually comes out on top of this whole situation.

CONS:

• I know there was the big revelation at the end of the installment, but it still would have been fun to see Spider-Woman put up more of a fight against the Green Mamba. Now, I won’t spoil things here for those that may have not yet checked out the comic book, but all I can say is this: it looks like Spider-Woman is going to be stuck to Green Mamba for a long time moving forward, one way or another.

FINAL GRADE: A

I might not be totally sold on the Gang War as a whole, because it doesn’t seem to introduce anything new or push any extreme boundaries in general, but I am liking these little supporting side-stories that all add up to the bigger picture. Spider-Woman is going through one of the worst periods in her life, both personally, and on the streets, so to see how she overcomes all these trials and tribulations, and end up stronger than before is going to be totally worth it. Have a great week ahead, everybody, and let’s all give Madame Web a chance to surprise us next month. I mean, Sydney Sweeney is in it!