Spider-Girl #4 Review

 

Writer: Torunn Grønbekk

Artists: André Risso & Moises Hidalgo

Colorist: Java Tartaglia

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Designer: Stacie Zucker

Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski

Cover Artists: David Nakayama; Alex Ross; Aka; Joëlle Jones; Javier Garrón & Jesus Aburtov

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 24, 2025

 

After Bullseye tried to kill her, Makawalu Akana set out to remake her life. She planned to shield people from danger, foil booger-brained street thugs, and improve her martial arts skills. Instead, “Maka” has fought Vermin, Lady Bullseye, and an Origami-Girl who nearly flattened her.

 

With Hijack failing her 48 times, Dr Tramma debates including the young Hawaiian in her plans. But Lady Bullseye dismisses Maka as unpredictable, reckless, and arrogant. Will the Paper Doll put Maka off crimefighting for good? And why are the police so concerned about “The Rand Thing?” Let’s thwick into Spider-Girl #4 and see, Brah!

 

Story

David Bond is having a bad day. Sadly, it’s one of many. Since Tombstone’s people kidnapped him, Dr Tramma has been experimenting on him. Each time she injects her special serum into his veins, Hijack fights her. This time, Dr Tramma tells Hijack she doesn't need him. She can abduct another mutant who can look into his eyes and mirror his control over machines.

 

Like the Collector's servant Carina, Hijack doesn't want to be Dr Tramma’s slave. But he is tired of enduring the pain involved in fighting Dr Tramma over control of his abilities. In Torunn Grønbekk’s story, Hijack must decide between submitting to her plans or allowing Dr Tramma to abduct and torture a mutant girl.

 

Maka traveled the world with Bullseye. She is an ambitious girl who doesn’t hesitate to crush her opponents in competitions. But Maka loves her family. She feels guilty over forcing them to leave the islands to help her pursue her dreams in high-priced New York City. In Spider-Girl #4, Maka sees another example of how hard her family is working for her and the strain it puts them under.

 

After her battle with Paper Doll, Maka isn’t at her best. Her body is dehydrated, hampering her movements. Her lungs fight for breath. And like any of us, what stresses her physically also affects her emotions. Maka may not mind being snarky with people she doesn’t respect. But she dislikes dishonoring the people she admires. In Spider-Girl #4, Maka must decide between pursuing her goals or shielding people from a storm of emotion they don't deserve.

 

Art

André Risso and Moises Hidalgo show Maka’s weakened state as she struggles to return home from her battle with Paper Doll. An interlude with her mother reveals her reliance on others amid her weakness. Dr Tramma’s suit suggests her desire to transcend her Human state. When she leans toward Hijack, Dr Tramma’s eyes shine with the confidence her captive lacks. Lady Bullseye's expressions and movements reveal her willingness to fulfill her duties, regardless of her desire to protect Maka. As the camera moves inside a familiar building, scientists study “The Rand Thing.”

 

Dr Tramma’s green suit shines with vitality. But her yellow-green serum evokes sickness. Java Tartaglia contrasts Dr Tramma’s green with Maka's red suit. Red also features in the Red Snow Dojo sign, the students' padded striking posts, Maka's choice of casual wear, and someone who once again takes the Hawaiian's breath away. But while green and red provide identification, yellow and orange infuse Spider-Girl #4 with energy. Yellow and orange radiate from Hijack’s eyes, while shades of orange reveal what he sees with his enhanced abilities. When he lets Dr Tramma unleash his mutant abilities, the yellow and orange energy seemingly activate a hitherto unseen aspect of Maka’s mutant power.

 

As Tombstone directs his operation, Joe Caramagna also uses small uppercase black dialogue to show the strain Maka's family endures. Red uppercase letters in white narrative boxes reveal Maka's thoughts and her struggle to regain control of her body and emotions. When Maka meets someone that she esteems, Maka’s uppercase black dialogue transforms into stylized logos in white dialogue balloons. The narrator relates what Hijack goes through with white-yellow narrative boxes, while sound effects accompany humming energy, explosions, thwicking, and a mother's concern. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Tombstone isn’t content to rest on his laurels. Nor is he trying to intimidate Peter Parker merely to make him his messenger. As Spider-Girl demonstrates her resilience and meets a potential ally, Tombstone works to retain the upper hand in his ongoing battle with the Hobgoblin in Spider-Girl #4.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.