MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY! Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse (2022) #1 REVIEW

GIRL POWER! FOR THE WIN! This, personally, is the perfect comic book to review right now because we are celebrating women this month, and there is no other perfect example of girl-power than Spider-Gwen, especially if we are talking about the Spider-Man family. This is an exciting, new title because not only are we getting our usual dose of Gwen going around different parallel universes and getting into trouble, but we’re also going to see so many new versions of her… Thor… GWEN anybody?

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse (2022) #1

Published:

March 09, 2022

Writer:

Tim Seeley

Penciler:

Jodi Nishijima

Cover Artist:

David Nakayama

NOT ENOUGH GWENS! When Gwen Stacy was bitten by a radioactive spider, she gained arachnid-like super-powers and started a crimefighting career as Spider-Woman (or as she’s affectionately known to her peers, Ghost-Spider)! But what would have happened if instead she had picked up the enchanted hammer, Mjolnir? Or if she received the Super-Soldier Serum? Or built a high-tech suit of armor? Or…you get the idea! Find out in this new five-issue miniseries by Tim Seeley (HEROES REBORN: MARVEL DOUBLE ACTION) and Jodi Nishijima (UNITED STATES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA) as Ghost-Spider tumbles through time and comes face-to-face with herselves!

MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES!

PROS:

• I appreciate how, before the wild adventure begins, and Gwen basically multiplies, and discovers her entire universe has gone haywire… we get a very personal look into her relationships with her father and her friends, specifically Mary Jane. We as readers are updated on her personal relationships and connections. She is struggling being a good and “present” friend for MJ, while she cannot seem to live up to her dad’s expectations for her. She constantly goes to the other Marvel Universe, and puts herself in danger over there, versus staying put in her original low-danger or low-super world, which her dad would prefer. She’ll end up missing that version of her dad, for sure, as events develop down the line.
• Spider-Zero is such a cool and interesting character that I want to see more of…. And she works really well with Gwen. The two make a colorful dynamic duo, both literally and figuratively. And quite frankly, I think Gwen needs somebody like Zero in her life, because honestly… Gwen has been such a mood lately. Even her handling of the very low-level super-villain at the beginning of the issue was heated, angry and angsty.
• The positive about this opening salvo is that it is a very meaty and jam-packed issue, with plenty of trippy art and awesome story to tell. And lots of pages. You are truly getting bang for the buck with this one, and you will not step away feeling short-changed with this book.
• The emotional scars run deep with Gwen, and even after all this time, she cannot seem to fully move on from her tragedy with Peter Parker. This comic book highlights even more this very special and once-in-a-lifetime cosmic connection between any Peter Parker and Gwen in the pages of a Marvel comic book.
• Ultimately, this is a powerhouse title that really shines the spotlight on the marvelous women in the Marvel multiverse of madness. Since this is the month celebrating women all around the world, it is very fitting that Gwen, MJ, Zero, and all the other Gwens get a story that focuses on them and only them.

CONS:

• Some readers may ask if there really is a need for even more versions of Gwen in the multiple universes. Also, newer readers may just feel a bit confused by all the different realities and characters converging in one big cosmic, glorious mess.

FINAL GRADE: A

I am definitely looking forward to the next chapter of this epic comic book series. The character and world of Gwen are given another fresh, new brand of paint, and this is a perfect point for new and old readers alike to jump onboard for the wild roller-coaster ride. Fun and exciting times ahead, indeed! To stop another Gwen Stacy from corrupting the world, Ghost-Spider must team up with Thorgwen and travel back in time to the 1950s to be exact.  But will this new alliance be able to stand against the super-soldier might of Captain America Gwen? They will have to try to as it looks like she is out for revenge against yet another Gwen Stacy. Count me in! What do you think?