A Twisted Web In Need Of Untangling: Reviewing ‘Spider-Woman’ #1

Criminals across the Marvel Universe are in danger as a gun-toting, dark costume-wearing vigilante plays judge, jury, and executioner. No, not the one that wears a skull on his costume, one that is a bit of a deeper pull from Marvel’s deep toybox of characters.

Jessica Drew is on the case in Spider-Woman #1, while also dealing with a symbiotic darkness lurking within herself. A bold and bloody tale begins in this debut issue from Dan Watters, Andrea Broccardo, Mattia Iacono, and Joe Sabino.

-Spoilers Follow-

What an auspicious beginning for this hard-boiled detective toned new series. I’m happy to see this upon the page, and for Marvel to be going down this well again as Jessica thrives in this realm. It’s part of the ‘bread and butter’ for the character, even back in the classic days. While clad in a very bright and hard to miss costume, investigation and subterfuge are in her blood, just as much as the genetically augmented abilities that she possesses.

As soon as it was announced that Watters was leading the way on this series, there was no chance I was going to miss it. Picking it up to review, though, was a more recent decision. Realizing it was still an open title to throw my hat into the ring, I leapt at the chance. This first issue grabbed on and held tight to my brain and the area that digs this sort of story dynamic in the usual superhero focused world.

We see Jessica dealing with the return of a former dual side of the line character called the Hangman. Investigation leads her down various roads, crossing paths with a number of Marvel Universe figures. Allowing Jessica to remain connected to realms that the Spider-Family usually swing while doing her own thing.

Then, there is the Carnage of the whole affair to consider.

While the dynamic of this intellect stripped, murderous symbiote and superhero influencing each other is interesting, there is a worry. That plot line befuddles what is an otherwise solid superhero detective investigator series. Especially with the final reveal of the issue showcasing Cletus Kasady returning to find the Carnage symbiote.

That being said, I trust Watters to make sure that this situation doesn’t derail and lose an already tight tone.

This tone is boosted by the artwork that Broccardo provides. It’s very akin to some of the more so-called “standard” types of superhero artwork. Very slick, smooth, and dense. It’s quick to feel a bit whimsical while also very natural and semi-realistic. Yet, just like the title character and her new compatriot, the art has a very sharp deadly edge to it.

Everything feels very heavy, in the best way possible. It moves with a deliberate pace which befits the slower until its not cadence of a good detective toned story.

Each of the color tone choices we see fits into this same box. Iacono pulls out a lot of heavier palette tones which saturate and give the spaces their own quality of life. Denser darker colors add visibly present almost overwhelming gloomy or doom appearance. Letting flashes of vibrancy pop through makes them stand as clean contrast to the darker tones.

All of the dialogue is quick, to the point, and concentrated. Watters has the detective stylings down to a T and Sabino makes it come alive on the page. It slinks around the panels as precise as clockwork, or perhaps a symbiote oozing around the page. This strikes a chord with the emotional resonance and quirks which give each letter their own personality beyond even the embedded character connections.

Also, an overall note to point towards. I love that we’re seeing both the classic Spider-Woman costume as well as the Marvel NOW! era detective style jacket and pants “civilian” setup. It works great to have a character switching between the right outfit for the moment. We don’t get to see that sort of thing done often, and even when we do it’s not always handled logically or well. More oft than not being a source of fanboy nostalgia rather than genuine story potential, which is far from the case here, thankfully.

Spider-Woman #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.