Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Paolo Villanelli
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Cover Artists: Mark Brooks & Nimit Malavia
Design & Production: Carlos Lao
Editors: Kaeden McGahey, Jordan D White & C B Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 7, 2025
“You can’t win,” Mary Jane Watson once sang. “The system’s rigged.” Gwen Stacy liked the song, but Em Jay wasn’t sure about the lyrics. Then the Cosmic Cube found Gwen, and Ouroborus from the Time Variance Authority brought Gwen to Earth to hide her from King Loki. Unfortunately, Carlos La Muerto of Earth-616 didn't attend the Mary Janes' rooftop practice session on Earth-65. If he had, the Black Tarantula of Earth-616 might have reconsidered trying to reform New York City's legal system.
Silk of Earth-616 warned Gwen she was playing with fire. OB cautioned Gwen that using her cosmic powers could unleash a catastrophe. Still, Gwen let King Loki show her how to channel her powers, and she freed the imprisoned psychics on Solara Prime. How will Gwen deal with the destruction she unleashed on a utopia? Can anyone free Gwen from this burden so she can resume playing the drums and apprehending the Bodega Bandit on Earth-65? Let's thwip into Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #13 and find out!
Story
Forget Anulax (or Havily) batteries. The most powerful batteries in the universe are the caged psychics of Solara Prime. Or at least they were until Gwen broke the machinery that powered the planet. Now, Solara Prime resembles the apocalypse OB rescued her from on Earth-65. Gwen thwips among the wreckage. She rescues those she can. But while Gwen saves individuals, the planet burns.
When Jean Grey hears millions of voices crying out in terror, she flies to their aid and extinguishes the psychic storm. But the Phoenix is more concerned with its cause. In Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #13, Gwen struggles to explain her overwhelming transformation. So Jean says, "My mind to your mind," and relives Gwen's journey with the cosmic cube.
In Stephanie Phillips' story, Gwen wrestles with her self-image. She yearned to resurrect Fabian. Gwen tried to free the oppressed. Instead, Gwen destroyed a planet. She took solace in wearing a "Cyclops Was Right" tank top after flipping police cars and turning a park into a crater amid her battle with Chameleon. Now, people have died after Gwen flexed her cosmic muscles.
In Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #13, Jean is a patient, supportive counselor. Phillips sprinkles this cosmic counseling session with humor, as Gwen's thoughts evoke Spider-Man shouting Doctor Strange’s spells when battling Cyttorak’s scions. Still, Gwen must decide how to channel her thoughts effectively and make the right decisions each day (and every hour).
Art
As Gwen rescues tentacle-faced children in her spacesuit, Jean descends on wings of fire. By the time she reaches Gwen, the fires have disappeared. Jean takes Gwen's hand, her red hair regal like a lion's mane. She stares down at Gwen as she awaits an explanation. When Gwen mentions bonding with a Cosmic Cube, Jean's eyes widen, her jaw drops, and every muscle tightens.
As Paolo Villanelli's art flows from page to page, Matt Milla lavishes a loaded palette of bright colors on Gwen and Jean's interactions. Pink and purple flashbacks radiate from the similarly-colored women as Jean samples Gwen's memories. Then the two omnipotent women reclaim their vibrant coloring in a multihued mindscape. But another creature inhabits this colorful realm. And despite their powers, the women must work together to survive.
Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons with long white arrows and places rouge words in white narrative boxes outlined with turquoise. The text grows bold for intonation and enlarges for raised voices. Screeching, the whoosh of flames, and a blast of cosmic energy accompany Gwen's struggle to chart her path in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #13. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Solara Prime is an epic tragedy. Still, learning how to wield godlike powers isn't easy. Jean Grey understands how difficult it can be to live with the deaths of others on her conscience.
Gwen harnessed the Cosmic Cube’s power to free Chameleon from his out-of-control nanites. Whether the Cosmic Cube sought her out or Gwen chose it is immaterial. Gwen has received a great gift. Responsibility always accompanies an upgrade. Gwen must learn to accept that and move on in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #13.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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