Review: Spider-Woman #21 (Lgy #116)

So it comes to pass, that one of the most oft cancelled characters reaches the pinnacle of 21 issues only to be cancelled yet again. Thats right, Spider-Woman is over again. With so many volumes being stopped in their prime, can the book really carry the term legacy? This might seem harsh, I know, but I love Spider-Woman. In fact, I love Jessica Drew. I loved her back in the 70’s, I loved in Madripoor, I loved her in New Avengers and her her various solo runs since then.

With a plan to visit Madripoor, Jess is somewhat waylaid by the Anti Arch-9, all of whom seem to have a beef with Jess. Of course, that serves for knock down, pinch come joke fest of a book where nothing really is resolved others than a collection of bad guys of the week.

Karla Pacheco was winning me over. Her blend of “not quite Kelly Thompson” humour meets the ubiquitous requirement of Marvel’s current editorial. Now that her run is over, reflection serves to show that for all the action and the jibes, the only two things of note that happened was introduction of Jess’s niece and the dissolving of Jessica’s relationship with Roger, won of the true fun elements of this book. Pacheco’s script here is as you’d expects, though this time around the jokes are a little forced and requires multiple explanations. This then is the possible flaw in the book; I understand that writers can write for themselves, yet if they can’t meet the the readers wants and requirements then you are on something of a losing side. There was an opportunity to have Jess in a relationship with Carol, which would have pleased a large fanbase; there could have had been guest-stars. But no, month after month fun and shenanigans with nary a thought for the long haul.

Pere Pérez provides the art for the final time, continuing to portray Jess in a kin d of frump manner at times. There is a great sense of movement in the panel and pages as Jess and her gang move from battle to battle. Thing i, in all the confusions there is odd in issue continuity to worry about. Check out page 4, Jess is clearly shirtless. Now check out page 5 and Jess then takes off her shirt? Bad plotting, bad art or poor editing? Maybe this shows just how much effort or care Marvel put into this book after all. Colors are provided by Frank D’Armata who keeps the colors consistent with previous issues, though things do get a little blurry. Letters are provided by VC’s Travis Lanham who delivers an elegant monologuing font to compliment the bolder dialogue.

So another female led book that I was buying from Marvel gets cancelled. Should I take it personally? By keeping Jess in her own corner of the Marvel Universe, coupled with a stay on low down, the latter used on a previous volume and on Ms. Marvel (Carol). Maybe Jess is a character that works best in groups; imagine a detective duo of Jessica Drew and Jessica Jones! But who am i kidding, Marvel would only cancel it after a few issues regardless.

Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 3.5 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by; Karla Pacheco
Art by; Pere Pérez
Colors by; Frank D’Armata
Letters by; VC’s Travis Lanham
Published/ Cancelled by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network