Spider-Women Part 1: Spider-Women Alpha, Spider-Gwen #7, Silk #7, & Spider-Woman #6.
Marvel Comics
Review by Hafsa Alkhudairi

Spider-Women is a mini-event compromised of 8 comics. It includes Spider-Women Alpha #1, Spider-Gwen #7 – 8, Silk #7 – 8, Spider-Woman #6 – 7, and Spider-Woman Omega #1. The comics set to be available throughout April and May. This review discusses the first half of the event.

The story starts with the women wanting to hang out with each other and have brunch. They wanted a moment to take a break from being superheroines and just explore their friendship. As per usual, whenever superheroes hang out, chaos erupts. This time the chaos develops from an item stolen from them in Earth-65. The art is different in each comic based on the the team working on it. The style matches the rest of each of the ongoing’s style to ensure the comic’s continuity. It was interesting to see how each artist took the image of the characters and recreated them in their own style.

Spider-Women-Alpha-1-4-600x911Spider-Women Alpha #1

Story by Dennis Hopeless, Jason Latour, & Robbie Thompson

Written by Robbie Thompson
Art by Vanesa Del Rey
Colours by Jordie Bellaire
Letters by Travis Lanham

This introduction to the Spider-Women event was an interesting one. The story had a perfect introduction and the end of this comic had an amazing twist. The art was jarring, some say weird for the comic, but it was perfect in my opinion. Also, the biggest change was the fact that noise had its space in the comic. It shows how overwhelming noise could be. The experience of the art and the story was fun and exhilarating.

For a more detailed review, please read it here.

Spider-GwenSpider-Gwen #7

Written by Jason Latour
Art by Bengal
Color by Rico Benzi
Letters by Clayton Cowles

The story continues right after Spider-Women Alpha. Each character’s true motivation is introduced. Cindy Moon (Silk) is still obsessed with her family and misses them. Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman) is concerned about her child. Gwen Stacey (Spider-Gwen) wants to return each Spider-Women to their own earth and to compose more music. Compared to the rest of the comics, this one was more of a filler in the storyline. However, this highlights the relationships between the characters and show how they are family because they share experiences and look out for each other.

The art here is softer than the rest with more expressive movement and facial features. It conveys their emotions and passions. Because of the more conversational style of this comic there are a no spreads. It is much more colorful, which represents more of Gwen’s personality and musical inclination.

Look out for this earth’s inconsistencies with the main Marvel universe. It’s funny and entertaining. Also, the bickering between the characters is adorable, especially when Jess goes all mama-bear.

SilkSilk #7

Written by Robbie Thompson
Art by Tana Ford
Color by Ian Herring
Letters by Travis Lanham

This part of the story revolves around Cindy and her request to find or see her family. She forgets her responsibility to the other Spider-Women in hopes of seeing her family. It is understandable if a bit irresponsible action that lead to the uncovering of the subversive plot to the ladies. Silk may not get any closure by seeing her parents, but she does get fulfillment in a way that makes her less irrational. Her personality really shines through and we see her grow instantaneously.

The art here is rounder making the design of some of the characters showing how young Silk is. Though there is something off about the design of her nose, it is a combination of her parent’s noses. The way she wears her suit is very interesting and a versatile. The spreads are beautiful and the fight scenes are gorgeous! The art shows vast spaces as well as detailed ones. This helps emphasize scenes as well as portray a fuller context.

I do believe this comic was the most entertaining for me because of Cindy’s inner monologue. She is at an age where her wit and inner panic is hilarious and, personally, relatable.

Spider-WomanSpider-Woman #6

Written by Dennis Hopeless
Art by Joelle Jones
Color by Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters by Travis Lanham

Of the issues so far, this is my favourite. As is the trend, this issue focused mostly on Jessica Drew. I found her approach to the problems they were facing very practical. The idea is she doesn’t have time to investigate further and analyze the problems they were facing. Unless it is vital to her return to her own earth or something that may make her culpable, she delegated that work to Gwen and Cindy. The way she works is practical and she seems protective and almost motherly. It shows that she is older and wiser than the rest, consequentially more patient with them and understanding. There is also a subtle commentary about how men and women have different responsibilities when they have children, or at least when it comes to Jess and her counterpart on this earth.

Here the art is very angular making the design sharper and cleaner. This style portrays the characters as more flexible and fiercer. This style of art was an asset in creating spreads that show movement that is layered and almost 3D. This method makes the comic seem more fluid and less static, a problem some angular comics.

The funnest part of this comic is the creative use of Lego bricks. Another amazing event was how the presence of children took the passion out of the fight and ensure the adults actually act like it.

Verdict:

Buy it! So far, I have been very entertained by the story and amused by the different art styles. The story portrays real people with real selfish reasons for acting the way they do and following the leads they do. The first half of this mini event has been more interesting in terms of character portrayal and development, which enhances the story so far. A part of the story ended with the first half of the event. I hope the second half is as good because I was very happy with the characters’ and the story’s development!

Look out for the rest of the series next month!

Hafsa Alkhudairi
hkhudairi@gmail.com
Hafsa Alkhudairi doing her MA Contemporary Literature and Culture at Birkbeck College, University of London, living in London, UK. She is graduating hopefully in october and has her heart set on going into publishing until she decides whether there is a PHD in her future. Current Project; Figuring out who is the big bad female villain in Marvel and DC.

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