Superheroes have it tough. Add in a cop father and that “Parker luck” and you got yourself a good old fashioned Spidey story. “Spider-Gwen” #3 touches on some familiar ground but does more than enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the Spider-Man universe. Read on for our spoiler free review.
Written by Jason Latour
Illustrated Robbi Rodriguez & Rico Renzi
Police Lieutenant Frank Castle is not a man to be trifled with. His new assignment? GET SPIDER-GWEN. ‘Nuff said. Rated T+
“Spider-Gwen” is a series that thanks to the internet was destined for overnight success. “Edge of Spider-Verse” #2 and the response that issue got guaranteed that Gwen Stacy would go through a sort of renaissance. The first two issues were big successes sales wise but as far as telling a compelling story, had some work to do. “Spider-Gwen” #3 is the best issue of the series so far by being an issue full of great superhero action, heavy emotional moments and fun new takes on classic characters.
“Spider-Gwen” #3 picks up with a much needed conversation between Gwen Stacy and her dad. As seen on the recap page, Captain Stacy has been replaced as leader of the Spider-Woman task force by Frank Castle. Castle is looking to bring her in anyway he can and this leaves Captain Stacy at a loss about what he should do. Gwen goes on for a while about her desire to be a hero because it’s the right thing to do and to honor Peter Parker’s memory. The Vulture has other plans though and once again Gwen has to swing into action to help her dad against this villain.
This issue is jam packed. From beginning to end, some pretty major stuff happens. This issue, more than the first two, develops Gwen into the hero she’s going to be. Jason Latour brings in some pretty classic superhero tropes to get this point across. We have “with great power comes great responsibility”, the great risk to the hero’s loved ones and my favorite, “fridging”. He’s going all in placing “Spider-Gwen” firmly into the Spider-Man family by giving her the same kinds of obstacles that Peter Parker has had to overcome. No matter what universe, these are the same things that the spider person of that world has to deal with. Gwen has to figure out how to keep being a hero without her father’s life being at risk, she has a dead boyfriend that partially fuels her heroics and despite the pressure her father puts on her, she believes she needs to use her powers for good. It’s how she goes about dealing with all this that makes “Spider-Gwen” an engaging read and a lot of credit has to be given to Jason Latour’s scripting. This could easily go the route of being too generic but Gwen is such a fun character thanks to her personality and true good intentions.
The best part about “Spider-Gwen” is that the things that happen in this issue feel like game changers and won’t be taken away from us. She exists on her own in her own separate universe with an evil Matt Murdock and police captain Frank Castle. Events that happen aren’t tied to other characters in the Marvel Universe so there’s an unpredictability factor which just makes this all the more fun to read. This issue in particular features Frank Castle in a bigger role and I got a kick out of how he’s used here and how his classic personality traits come in.
Robbi Rodriguez continues to be one of the most stylistically dynamic artists working in mainstream comics and “Spider-Gwen” #3 is the perfect example of why. The opening page find Captain Stacy on a train and it’s such a cool scene with the speed lines and angles. Rodriguez captures a small thing like the cramped feeling of being on a subway car so perfectly. Throughout the pages of “Spider-Gwen” #3 that are all exposition he has the job of making us feel something. Comic books are of course a visual medium and he has to sell us this conversation between Gwen and her dad and he does a great job at it. The facial expressions are pained and honest with just enough of Gwen’s angst coming through.
Continued belowThe best parts of this issue artistically are the fight scenes. Books focusing on anyone within the spider-family live and die by how they look when they move. I hate a spidey centric book with lackluster fight scenes. Rodriguez gives Gwen gymnast like abilities and she almost floats through the air. She’s acrobatic and light as a feather but deadly. When she hits Vulture, you feel the impact. Rodriguez does an awesome job with the angles he features the action from and even under a mask, you see a ton of emotion coming through.
Rico Renzi is doing some very interesting things with colors. “Spider-Gwen” is a crazy colorful book that reminds me of “Curb Stomp” over at BOOM! Studios. Renzi typically uses a lot of neons, especially pink but for much of this issue he’s a bit more muted. He really went with what the moment called for and it shows great versatility. The effects of Gwen’s spidey sense is a visual treat and the way Gwen’s costume almost pops off the page is great.
“Spider-Gwen” #3 is an issue that retreads old ground but in a new way. It’s the best issue so far and it’s indicative of this creative team really hitting its stride. Let’s hope “Secret Wars” doesn’t undo this.
Final Verdict: 8.3 – Familiar but enough to make it feel new. Plus the art is stellar and always worth the cover price.
