Comic Review: Spider-Woman (2020-) #2

Spider-Woman #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Karla Pacheco

Artist: Pere Perez

Spider-Woman #1 released all the way back in the long long time ago of March 2020. Working all night, I figured I’d be fine to get it the next day since I was really tired. You want to know what I discovered, the next day? My local comic book store closed the previous day due to state regulations and the coronavirus. Spider-Woman is up there as one of my favorite characters of all time, and I had to wait until the end of May to get a physical copy of this new series. Then there are another two months of waiting, and now here we are in July with Spider-Woman #2.

In terms of style, I really enjoy the literal first page of this issue. In the same way #1 starts, there’s a monologue from Spider-Woman, catching us up as readers. Meanwhile, the art is some very nice panels of action scenes taking place later in the issue. There’s not a huge amount of context to them, and there’s a lot of shadows, putting the focus on the character. With the art by Pere Perez and colors from Frank D’Armata, it’s very pleasing to look at, and a great first page for the comic.

I will fully admit, I can be one of those people who judge a comic before ever reading it. I did it with this series, and I admit that I was wrong for it. Not that I thought it would be bad, but I really like the characterization and story from Karla Pacheco. This issue isn’t a “whodunnit” about why/how Spider-Woman is sick like I was thinking it’d be. Instead, we get right to the who and why pretty quick. The pharmaceutical billionaire from #1 does have a sick daughter, in case you forgot. Learning all of this, and confronting him directly, Jessica Drew still does what she can to help. That’s just who she is.

On top of all that, I like that there are things being pulled from the character’s history that, I don’t think, have been seen for a while. I don’t remember the last time a writer made use of the pheromone power Spider-Woman has. Maybe in Strikeforce, but I’m not fully caught up with that series just yet. Plus, going back to her origin, there’s mention of Otto Vermis, a H.Y.D.R.A. agent that ties directly into Spider-Woman’s origin. Both the original 70s and 2005 Bendis versions. It’s maybe the fanboy in me, but I’m really loving this series so far. We’re two issues in, but this is a good story so far. The art team is incredible and does a fantastic job here. I’m even coming around to liking the new costume a bit. As a big fan of the character, I think you should read this.