Edge of Spider-Verse 2
The newest Spider-Man we get a chance to look in on isn't, in fact, a Spider-MAN at all (see what I did there? Capitalizing the "man" part implies that is where the difference lies. Italicizing it would have had much the same effect). Instead, it's Gwen Stacy, Spider-Woman! Gwen of this universe was bitten by a radioactive spider, granting her spider-based powers which she now uses in her life as a vigilante crime-fighter. Her story of power=responsibility hinges on the fact that fellow classmate Peter Parker, in an attempt to be more like the new Spider-Woman, injected himself with a dangerous toxin of his own design that turned him into the Lizard, who would ruin the school and die in Spider-Woman's arms. The police, led by Captain George Stacy, are on the hunt for Spider-Woman. Meanwhile, Gwen just wants to play the drums for the Mary Janes, the rock outfit led by Mary Jane Watson. However, everything comes to her doorstep when Kingpin hires Rhino to take out George Stacy in a show of faith to the new Spider-Woman. Rhino attacks at the Mary Janes' show and Spider-Woman fights him off, eventually revealing her true identity to Captain Stacy, all under the watchful eye of another Spider-Man.
We're still on the EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE, so we're not really getting into the main thrust of the story just yet, we're more getting a sense of the players. This Spider-Woman already seems like a hit and Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez make the most of their one-shot with her, with Latour writing a very solid character and developing, in twenty short pages, an entire universe that makes sense and intrigues (Matt Murdock is a villain lawyer! But how??) and Rodriguez drawing an absolutely fantastic book and designing a really cool costume for Gwen. In addition, Rico Renzi adds some outstanding colors to the book. It's a pretty quick read (as quick as you can manage for a one-shot that has to develop a new character and new universe and new problems) and it looks really good. It moves quickly but it also gives more than enough time for quiet moments and introspection. Great stuff.
Total Score: 5/5
Superior Spider-Man 33
Superior Spider-Man has teamed with a number of other Spider-Men/Women/Girls/Monkeys and has gone after the spider-killer named Karn. Doc Ock has developed a device he thinks will work well on the killer but is overwhelmed by the being's power, particularly when members of Karn's family show up, a pair of twins named Brix and Bora. The spiders manage to get away, escaping to 2099 to regroup while the siblings bicker. Doc Ock removes himself for a bit, talking to his Anna Maria computer, and comes back with a new plan. The spiders set to work while he pulls aside Spider-Girl (Ashley Barton) and Assassin Spider-Man to let them know he agrees with them, that killing these villains is a necessity and that they may face resistance from the other spiders but that nothing can be allowed to stand in their way.
It's a tough loss for Doc Ock as his team is forced to flee and he's forced to wonder how it's even possible to stop Karn, let alone Karn's apparently pretty big family (there's an extra story at the end of this issue that revolves around Karn and his family, showing just how big it is and, of course, showing that Morlun is a member of it). There's a brief moment of hubris for Doc, as ever, as he believes he defeats Karn only to have it shot back in his face. Still, it's good character building and Gage does a pretty good job building the supporting cast of spiders, who each register a specific voice and tone, even though none of them is given a particular focus in this episode. SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN 33 adds to the already interesting event, establishing a bit more about our villains and a tiny bit more about our heroes. Strong work.
Total Score: 4/5
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