Comic Review: Gwenpool Strikes Back (2019-) #1

Gwenpool Strikes Back (2019-)  #1

Marvel Comics

Writer: Leah Williams

Artist: David Baldeon

Gwenpool started as just a variant cover for Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars in 2015. Cashing in on the Spider-Gwen craze, the character became popular, and after some backup stories, and a one-shot comic, got her own series. Then that was canceled, but Gwenpool joined the 2018 West Coast Avengers. And then that got canceled also. But now Gwenpool is back in a 5 issue mini-series!

Gwenpool Strikes Back (2019-) #1 puts the character in a situation not too unfamiliar. Being a normal person from a different universe, Gwenpool has no superpowers. She can break the fourth wall and jump into the whitespace between panels, but no one in the comics can see that. So to stay relevant, and avoid the death of her character, she’s on a mission to get superpowers. And in this first issue that means trying to get Spider-Man to bite her.

I’m trying to not be too hard on this comic, or too easy. Despite being a relatively new character, Gwenpool is easily in my top three favorite characters of all time. In general, I like this issue. We’ve seen the basic premise of this story before, Gwenpool trying to keep herself alive by staying relevant. But instead of being a villain, like before, she’s trying to get legit powers in this issue. Being kind of a unique character like this, I think Leah Thompson got the voice of the character right. It’s not too fourth wall breaking, though there is some, and it’s not a straight comic story. It’s in a good middle ground of the two.

I am really digging David Baldeon’s art in this. Off the top of my head, I couldn’t think of anything I’ve read with his art, but it turns out there’s a bunch of stuff. The style works for Gwenpool, and I especially like how Spider-Man looks. The colors by Jesus Aburtov really help with everything. Towards the end of the issue, when the fourth wall starts breaking down, I think the art really shines. Gwen jumping into the white space between panels is something I don’t think is easy to pull off. But they do it here really well. The layout for the last few pages are just fantastic.

I like this issue. It’s not my favorite Gwenpool comic, but I think it’s fun. The art and the colors are great, and towards the end get even better. Leah Thompson writes a good Gwenpool. There’s a good balance between the fourth wall breaks, and the story playing out like a regular comic book story would. Especially towards the end, where both, and the art, merge to make it a proper “Gwenpool” comic. If this is your first time reading the character, it might not be the best place to start. But, fans and anyone familiar with the character will enjoy this.