All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #5 Review

 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artist: Von Randal

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: David Marquez & Marte Gracia; Meghan Hetrick; Guihiru; Francesco Manna & Mattia Iacono; Salvador Larroca & Edgar Delgado

Logo Designer: Stacie Zucker

Production Designer: Kat Walkington

Editors: Emerald Bensadoun, Martin Biro, Jordan D White & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: December 10, 2025

 

Gwen Stacy is angry that swapping her symbiote for her former spider-powers led to Wes’ death. She’s upset that the symbiote sent Cindy Moon to the hospital. Gwen raged at her father when he tried to keep her from apprehending the symbiote. And she’s beyond vexed that the symbiote took over Fabian.

 

Gwen recognizes that, all too often, she’s relied on her anger like Linus clings to his blanket. She’s tired of acting first and thinking later (if it’s still necessary). But when her former symbiote takes over the inmates at Ryker's Island and makes the Army want to bomb the prison, should Gwen rethink her approach to problem-solving? Or, with so many lives on the line, is this the perfect time to forge a better way forward? Let’s thwip into All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #5 and see!

 

Story

Carlos LaMuerto thought he could overturn the legal system and run New York City his way. Mayor Cage reacted by throwing him in Ryker’s Island and tossing away the key. Gwen’s former symbiote homed in on Fabian’s resentment over his father’s plight and empowered the new Black Tarantula to free his father. But the "alien goo" from outer space has grown in strength after Gwen wielded the powers of the Cosmic Cube. While it controls Fabian, the symbiote also infects the other angry prisoners in Ryker’s.

 

As her symbiote created this problem, Gwen feels responsible for resolving the crisis. But the symbiote knows how to combat her when she’s angry. So, when Spider-Man and Silk thwip by to help her, Gwen says, “I have a plan,” in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #5. When Spider-Man, Silk, and Agent Anti-Venom dismiss it as “barely a concept,” Gwen isn’t happy. 

 

 

 

Like Gwen and the inmates in Ryker’s Island, “Mr Military Man” is also unhappy. Agent Anti-Venom talked him into waiting to bomb the prison. But the clock is ticking, and he doesn't know these costumed "freaks." So, he's angry at himself for compromising his plan to protect the people of New York.

 

In Stephanie Phillips’ story, Gwen wants to be more proactive. She's tired of other people trying to run her life. Just as she made up flyers to form her own band, and then interviewed Cindy Moon before auditioning her, Gwen Stacy learns to be more like Hannibal Smith in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #5.

 

 

 

Art

A white glow surrounds scenes as Von Randal imbues Gwen’s idea with a Mission Impossible vibe. But the Spider-society and Anti-Venom’s current situation proves more frantic. After webbing the attacking symbiotes, Von Randal devotes one page to the teammates' initial distrust of her idea, and the next to Gwen sticking by it. Then the camera switches to Mr Military Man, as he confers with a subordinate. He gazes at a tablet and frowns.

 

Matt Milla injects backgrounds with an ever-changing palette of bright and energetic colors. The black fabric of the spider-suits shimmer amid their fast-paced thwipping. The black, gray, and green symbiotes with Rorschach-like faces evoke KISS fans from outer space learning of the band's retirement. The symbiotes' green tongues and glowing symbols form a link with the soldiers arrayed to exterminate them. Yet later, a figure adorned in black, pink, and purple offers Gwen hope for tomorrow in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #5.

 

 

 

Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons and boxes. Gwen’s thoughts appear as red letters in turquoise-outlined boxes. A thick line of turquoise underlines the words that locate us in time and space. The text grows bold and swells for intonation, while a scream threatens to burst a balloon. Sound effects fill the air as symbiotes shriek, and heroes “send the cure” to Ryker’s Island. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

The Cosmic Cube imbued Gwen Stacy with godlike powers. But it also destroyed her world. As she remakes her life on Earth-616, Gwen wants to make sure she’s in charge. So, Gwen addresses her father’s concern that donning her costume saps her joy by daring to believe she can change in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #5.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

Unbreakable X-Men #2 Review

 

Writer: Gail Simone

Artists: CF Villa, Mario Santoro, Davide Tinto, David Marquez, AB Silva, Alessandro Cappuccio & Ramon Rosanas

Colorist: Espen Grundetjern

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artists: Lucas Werneck; Ejikure; InHyuk Lee; Marco Checchetto & Edgar Delgado

Designer: Jay Bowen

Editors: Lindsey Cohick, Annalise Bissa, Tom Brevoort & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: November 19, 2025

 

With Wolverine's help, Rogue and Gambit mentored a group of young mutants nicknamed the Outliers. When the St Juniors invited them to share Haven House, the X-Men also trained their daughter, Dome. The house guarded a graveyard for centuries, a rare resting place for Mutants in a world that hated them. The St Juniors and X-Men also helped Lady Henrietta Benjamin and Man-Thing guard the Dark Artery, an entryway to the Penumbra. There, Shuvahrak torments people who hurt or betray the Mutant members of their families during their lives.

 

When Galactus approached their property, Rogue stopped the Planet Eater at the cost of her life. Years later, Henrietta Benjamin visits the St Juniors’ home. She tells Gambit, Ransom, Temper, Dome, and Spider-Girl that Shuvahrak no longer wishes to torment the dead. Now, she wants to attack the living. Can Gambit and his adopted family prevent the dark god from arising? And how will Shuvahrak treat the inhabitants of Revelation's Territories? Let's grab a pack of playing cards, leap into Unbreakable X-Men #2, and see!

 

Story

After Rogue's death, the St Juniors' home became a house of pain. Gambit thinks of Rogue constantly. He yearns to join her in death. When Shuvahrak raises a zombie army to wipe out the guardians, Gambit pours out his anger and despair over Rogue's loss on his undead attackers. Despite how Ransom and the others care for him, Gambit draws strength by thinking of Nightcrawler, who has prayed for and counseled him.

 

In Unbreakable X-Men #2, Lady Henrietta and the others don’t know how Shuvahrak has gained new powers. But the prospect of the god breaking free to torment the living is a danger they cannot ignore. It frightens Ransom enough to suggest a reunion of the Outliers, something he has resisted all these years. Foremost in his thoughts is Deathdream, who convinced the others to promise that they would fight Shuvahrak if she ever threatened the living.

 

With Miss Henrietta urging them to hurry, Gail Simone’s story sends Gambit and his small cadre of X-Men to gather reinforcements. Years ago, Galactus told Rogue that Dome served no purpose at Haven House, but she could fulfill her promise elsewhere. Given her fierce love of Dome, Rogue didn't let the girl consider becoming the Planet Eater’s herald. Years after one giant's attack brought their lives to a standstill, the threat of another helps Gambit and the others remember their purpose and use their gifts to protect others in Unbreakable X-Men #2.

 

 

 

Art

As Gambit battles near a statue he cannot see, he guards a memorial erected by the city of New Orleans. Afterward, clad in the clothes of his late wife, Lady Henrietta hugs and kisses Gambit outside Haven House. While the X-Men gather in the living room, Shuvahrak arises. Chains adorn a leviathan more beast than Human in appearance. As the rays of light surrounding her echo the shape of Rogue's memorial, worshippers surround her, while a town climbs a nearby hill.

 

While Espen Grundetjern adorns Unbreakable X-Men #2 with brief respites from the encroaching darkness, Ransom strides through photographic negatives. Like Shuvahrak's tail, Sadurang’s glowing orange, red, and blue body appears more serpentine than before. 

 

 

 

Spider-Girl’s red jacket links her with Calico’s red riding coat, while the copper manes of her gray horses glow. Lady Henrietta and Dome prepare to protect Haven House, clad in black and gray. The X on Dome’s shirt echoes the entryway to the realm that can no longer hold its angry god.

 

Clayton Cowles shares dialogue using uppercase black letters in white balloons and boxes or white letters in black balloons. Gambit’s thoughts appear as white letters in pink boxes as he fights off zombies with glowing pink cards. The letters grow bold for intonation and never shrink. While earthshaking sound effects herald the end of an era, enlarged and colored words make for a statement of purpose and unity. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a review copy. 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Gambit's love of Rogue helped him build a loving, supportive community for Mutants in Haven House. After his despair made the home a tomb, the Outliers went their separate ways. While survivor's guilt made Gambit want to die, Shuvahrak’s loss drove her to make others feel her pain. Dwelling on her loss fed her anger until that was all she knew. Feeling betrayed by the Mutant community for not protecting her child, Shuvahrak arises in a land created by Revelation’s betrayal of the Mutant community’s ideals in Unbreakable X-Men #2.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #4 Review

 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artist: Paolo Villanelli

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: David Marquez & Federico Blee; Inhyuk Lee; Leirix; David Yardin

Logo Designer: Stacie Zucker

Production Designer: Kat Walkington

Editors: Emerald Bensadoun, Martin Biro, Jordan D White & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: November 19, 2025

 

After he abducted Judge Jeffrey Barbour, Carlos LaMuerto conducted a trial via cell phone. Carlos presented evidence of Barbour's corruption. The people of New York who tuned into his app voted that Barbour was guilty of embezzling public funds devoted to assisting the unhoused. Carlos tried to execute the people's mandate, but Spider-Gwen and his son Fabian stopped him. The authorities threw Carlos in Ryker's Island without access to a judge, attorney, phone, or visitors. He cannot even see Fabian.

 

Carlos isn’t the only one who is angry at the situation. As he helps Spider-Gwen track down the symbiote she abandoned, Fabian LaMuerto seethes at his father's imprisonment. So, when Spider-Gwen and the new Black Tarantula corner the symbiote in an alley, and Gwen refuses to take it back again, the alien lifeform finds a new host in Fabian. Can Gwen Stacy and Flash Thompson recapture the symbiote and free Fabian from its influence? Or are Spider-Gwen and Anti-Venom a match for a venomous Black Tarantula? Let’s thwip into All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #4 and see!

 

Story

When Spider-Gwen and Anti-Venom track Fabian and the symbiote to Ryker’s Island, they find the facility in lockdown. Instead of securing the prisoners in their cells, tanks and armored vehicles surround the facility. Spider-Gwen and Anti-Venom take themselves to the leader. The soldier claims they are clearing the facility, but the power is down, and the soldiers cannot contact the corrections officers. He sees no option but to bomb the facility while the monster is inside.

 

In All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #4, Flash and Gwen ask him to delay his air strike so they can defuse the situation. After they gain entrance, Gwen tries to control the situation by giving the symbiote a name. She attempts to bond with Flash and inject a little humor to lift their spirits. But as Gwen and Flash venture deeper into the prison, both realize how dangerous the symbiote has become.

 

Stephanie Phillips' story is a meditation on how anger drives us. As Gwen fights, she reflects on how the symbiote empowered her and why she wanted to get rid of it. Flash argues that Gwen shouldn't feel guilt over the symbiote's actions or what it forced her to do while bonded with her. But as her father told her, when Gwen put on the symbiote suit, it stole her joy. And even though she’s free of the symbiote, Gwen still feels its allure. Years of relying on anger tempt Gwen to attack problems instead of contemplating a peaceful solution in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #4.

 

Art

With the military on high alert outside Ryker's Island, Spider-Gwen startles a soldier when she lands beside him. Anti-Venom stands at ease in his armor. When the soldier reaches for his handgun, Gwen thwips it while Flash lifts his hands to explain. The soldier glances back at the entrance, where soldiers are assisting civilians from the facility. A star bursts from Gwen’s head when she grows angry, turning her into a partial silhouette. In response, Anti-Venom moves between her and the soldier. Then Flash pumps his fist, adopting a hero pose to assert his capabilities.

 

As Paolo Villanelli shows how Anti-Venom teams with Spider-Gwen while compensating for her impulsiveness, Matt Milla adorns All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #4 with a limited fluorescent palette. While pink, yellow, and orange shine in the abandoned lobby, the symbiote amplifies the colors as the fighting grows intense. After Carlos experiences a revelation drenched in green, he pumps his fist to assert his capabilities. Yet amid the anger and emotions sending the prisoners into a frenzy, Gwen’s dominant color is black, while Anti-Venom’s is white.

 

Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons and red letters into turquoise-outlined boxes. A thick line of turquoise underlines the words that locate us in time and space. The text grows bold and enlarges for intonation, while intense emotion turns balloons spiky. An abrupt landing threatens to stop a soldier's heart. Then, heroes and villains battle amid hits and thwips while hissing echoes through the cells and dormitories of Ryker’s Island. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Gwen loves music filled with rage at the machine. Music with a post-punk experimental vibe (influenced by the grindcore scene) makes her feel alive. Yet as much as she delights in the punk scene, Gwen knows she should restrain her anger. Having a symbiote was like plugging herself into Wes’s amplifier. And like a magnet, the symbiote Gwen cast off makes a new home among prisoners filled with rage at the machine in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #4.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #3 Review

 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artist: Paolo Villanelli

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: David Marquez & Federico Blee; Corin Howell; Lucio Parrillo; CF Villa

Logo Designer: Stacie Zucker

Production Designer: Kat Walkington

Editors: Emerald Bensadoun, Martin Biro, Jordan D White & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 29, 2025

 

While Gwen has a new suit, home, and powers, she strives to recapture what she lost. As she begins anew on Earth-616, she passes out flyers to start a new band. A guitarist named Wes answered her ad. Her friend Cindy Moon takes a crash course in bass guitar to support her. After their first practice, her dad rejoices to see Gwen so happy. But his observation that donning her spider-suit often saps her joy flops like Milli Vanilli’s bombshell announcement.

 

Now, Gwen’s guitarist is dead. Cindy is in the hospital. George Stacy wants his daughter in protective custody. Instead, Gwen and Fabian pursue Richard Mason, the man seen beside Wes' blood-spattered corpse. They also find something else. Something dark and monstrous. Can Gwen and Fabian defeat the scary monster made of spikes? Or will Gwen's anger get the better of her? Let’s thwip into All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #3 and see!

 

 

 

 

Story

When Black Tarantula kidnapped Judge Jeffrey Barbour from his home, New Yorkers discovered a new app on their phone. The app alleged that the judge had siphoned public funds into his bank accounts. While the app asked the public to decide Judge Barbour's fate, Black Tarantula's team robbed banks. Then Carlos LaMuerto used that money to do what the judge's actions prevented by caring for New York's unhoused community.

 

In All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #3, Carlos LaMuerto is angry. The authorities sent him to prison and ignored his legal rights. His court-appointed attorney reminds Carlos that Fabian was hip deep in his father's crimes. Paul Morgan urges Carlos not to press his visitation rights, lest the legal system target Fabian. But Carlos is fed up with being treated like a criminal while the corrupt judge remains at liberty.

 

Like Earth-616’s Peter Parker after his uncle’s death, Gwen Stacy hungers for revenge. Fabian is also angry. Yet while his father sits in prison, Fabrian restrains Gwen from killing Richard Mason. The spiky alien monster is a different story. In Stephanie Phillips' story, Gwen believes her anger makes her stronger. But beliefs and truth are two different things.

 

 

 

 

Art

On Ryker’s Island, size matters. But no one looms larger than Carlos LaMuerto. As Paolo Villanelli shows him bound in shackles, a comparison with the man who sent Carlos there, Mayor Luke Cage, is unavoidable. Just like size, colors also flaunt their stuff in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #3. People who uphold the law wear blue. The man who did the wrong thing for the right reasons wears orange.

 

In the city where Carlos took the law into his own hands, we glimpse Spider-Gwen and Black Tarantula Junior through the monster's maw. While Gwen, Fabian, and their opponent wear black, the monster's green tongue links it with Richard Mason's jacket. Matt Milla enhances the dark creature with purple and green, the same colors he shaded people with on Ryker’s island. But as Spider-Gwen fights the monster before the dumpsters she tried to relegate it to, the strongest clash is between black on black.

 

Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons with conventional arrows and red letters into turquoise-outlined boxes. A thick line of turquoise underlines the words that locate us in time and space. The text grows bold and enlarges for intonation. Sound effects highlight Carlos’ anger and a fast and furious battle. Yet they also introduce someone who urges Gwen to think first and act later in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #3. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Gwen's music was a way to channel her anger at the world. Her flyer sought musicians similarly outraged, even venomous. Gwen may not like to admit it, but her father is right about her spider-suit. Not because the costume is evil, but because of how Gwen uses it in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #3.

 

Rating: 9.2/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #2 Review

 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artist: Paolo Villanelli

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: David Marquez & Marte Gracia; Alex Ross; David Baldeón & Israel Silva; Meghan Hetrick

Logo Designer: Stacie Zucker

Production Designer: Kat Walkington

Editors: Emerald Bensadoun, Martin Biro, Jordan D White & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 24, 2025

 

Earth-65’s Gwen Stacy has often defined herself by what others took away from her. Fighting to regain what she lost meant adapting to changes in her powers and her life. Eventually, the Cosmic Cube cost Gwen her world.

 

So, Gwen has dug her feet in. She used the Cosmic Cube to reclaim her father and Fabian LaMuerto. Gwen is remaking her life on Earth-616. She has shrugged off the symbiote she never wanted and reclaimed her original powers. But as hard as she tries, Gwen can’t make cake grow on trees. Her romance with Fabian is fizzling, and she has lost a promising guitarist before she could form another band. Can Gwen discover who killed the roguishly handsome Wes? And what else will others take away from her this time? Let’s thwip into All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #2 and see!

 

Story

Cindy Moon of Earth-65 stole Gwen's original powers. But Cindy Moon of Earth-616 is her friend. She helped Gwen adapt to her new surroundings when Ouroborus from the Time Variance Authority relocated her to the Earth. When Gwen wanted to start a new band to fill the void left by The Mary Janes’ departure, Cindy was there for her. But after someone killed Wes in the room where they had their jam session, they tracked Cindy to her apartment and attacked her in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #2.

 

Thankfully, Cindy Moon boasts fighting skills from her superhero career as Silk. Still, the attack sends Cindy to the hospital. Gwen could have written off Wes’ murder as somehow related to the guitarist’s past. But the attack on Cindy forms a disturbing pattern. Her dad doesn’t want Gwen to investigate either crime. But Gwen is tired of losing the people and things she loves. No one and nothing will stop Gwen from finding Silk's attacker in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #2.

 

Once again, donning the costume costs a spider-hero happiness. Gwen’s father wants to protect her. But Gwen burns with anger at injustice. As Gwen pursues Wes’ killer and Cindy’s attacker, Stephanie Phillips’ story addresses how anger both empowers and limits us. The man found in the practice room covered in blood was frustrated with his lot in life. And like Gwen, that made him vulnerable to something that fed upon the anger and rage he fought so hard to repress.

 

 

 

 

 

Art

When Silk climbs through the window of her apartment, she staggers past scattered books, cushions, and a pizza box before sinking into her sofa. Just as she is falling asleep, a sound rocks her awake. Silk approaches an open window. Like Carlos LaMuerto, her reflection seems to judge her. Then spears pierce the air. Given her love of reading and learning, Silk fights the invader before her wall of bookcases. Yet she does not emerge the victor.

 

As Paolo Villanelli infuses All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #2 with drama and energy, Matt Milla contrasts Gwen’s battle between the light and the darkness with vibrant colors. A red paramedic’s truck outside the hospital forms a link with Silk’s injury. The blue, purple, pink, and green that filled Silk’s apartment invade the shades of coral in her hospital room when Gwen burns with anger. As during Silk’s night-fight, silhouettes return amid confrontations. Yet a starburst forms around Gwen’s face. Rays of yellow and white eventually turn pink and threaten to overcome a page. The starburst reminds us of the power Gwen wielded with the Cosmic Cube.

 

Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons and red letters into turquoise-outlined boxes with conventional arrows. A thick line of turquoise underlines the words that locate us in time and space. The text grows bold and enlarges for intonation. Sound effects herald danger and accompany battles, while a door plate grounds its occupants in this story about treasuring the people in our lives. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, when we seek to control our lives, we forget that the greatest blessings can come about through serendipity. As Gwen Stacy tries to reclaim what she has lost, she ignores the fact that she never chose to be bitten by a radioactive spider. Yet while vowing to protect the “ghosts” often overlooked by others, Gwen abandons the alien who once helped her reclaim everything she lost in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #2.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1 Review

 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artist: Paolo Villanelli

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: David Marquez & Marte Gracia; Matteo Lolli; Nogi San; J Scott Campbell; Simone Di Meo

Production Designer: Kat Walkington

Editors: Emerald Bensadoun, Martin Biro, Jordan D White & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: August 20, 2025

 

Granted the power of a god, Gwen Stacy used the Cosmic Cube to visit King Loki’s world. She saw how King Loki abandoned his subjects and how jealousy consumed him. So instead of gifting King Loki her powers, Gwen used the Cosmic Cube to craft an ending for the trickster-god, redress some wrongs, and write a new beginning for herself.

 

Now, Gwen Stacy is starting over. She's made a new home on Earth-616. She shares an apartment with her father instead of living alone in an unfurnished apartment. Carlos LaMuerto has moved into the Big House, but his son Fabian also gets a second chance. How will Gwen tackle crime without a Cosmic Cube or a symbiote? Will Gwen put on her Cyclops Was Right T-shirt again? And will King Loki ever swim with sharks? We’re going to need a bigger comic, so let’s leap into the twenty-six-page All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1 and see!

 

 

 

Story

When Gwen Stacy looks back on her life, what she has lost looms large. She gained superpowers but lost Peter Parker. Blamed for his death, Gwen became a fugitive in her world. Then, Cindy Moon took away the powers granted by a radioactive spider. Even though she gained venom superpowers, Gwen eventually lost everything: her father, the Mary Janes, and Earth-65. When TVA agent Ouroborous brought her to Earth-616, Carlos LaMuerto and his agents bounced Gwen around like a Ping-Pong ball. Ultimately, King Loki's cosmic tour led Gwen to destroy Solara Prime, a world she only wanted to help.

 

In All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1, she has used the Cosmic Cube's energy to regain her original spider-powers. Gwen lives with her father in New York City on Earth-616. The police no longer hunt her for grand theft auto, defacing buildings, and stealing children's ice cream cones. (That's a good thing, as her father works for the police). She resurrected Fabian and is training him to be her sidekick.

 

Unfortunately, as Fabian points out, every action has consequences. Newton’s third rule ripples through Gwen's life, as Stephanie Phillips reveals changes in her friends' behavior. Irony and frustration accompany Gwen's new life on Earth-616. Yet she gains the sense of belonging she has lacked since the Cosmic Cube unleashed an apocalypse on Earth-65. As she fine-tunes her present, the universe strikes back. Gwen doesn’t encounter a Kobayashi Maru in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1. Neither does she get a total win/win.

 

 

 

Art

Paolo Villanelli fills this new chapter in Gwen’s life with fraught action and emotional intensity. Despite all the changes Gwen has made, her expression often reveals unhappiness, concern, hurt, and anger. A paper that could enhance her future crinkles in her hand. When George Stacy hesitates to face her, Gwen sees his face and body struggle with rage.

 

All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1 begins with red. It covers a garment, Gwen's drum kit, a frantic man's hands, and a still body. Matt Milla fills panels with vivid colors and backgrounds that radiate energy. Yet despite the absence of ravens, black accompanies the abundant colors. 

 

 

 

Black streaks the sky and backgrounds. It seems more dominant on her new costume, and envelops characters. Yet when Gwen meets a new friend and pursues her passion, she shines with pink energy bolstered by green and blue.

 

Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons and boxes using conventional arrows. The turquoise bordering the narrative boxes increases when Gwen pursues her passion. The text grows bold for intonation and shrinks for lowered voices. Shouts threaten to pop dialogue balloons. Sound effects accompany Gwen’s experimentation, a pretend fight that is also real, and a storm that destroys everything in its path. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

The spider-totems seem destined to be more reactive than proactive. As Gwen Stacy starts over on Earth-616, she's in the catbird's seat. But as Peter Parker believed he could live the dream until Hellgate's arrival, an unexpected force will Whack-A-Spider in All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

The Unchosen #2 Review

 

Writer & Artist: David Marquez

Colorist: Marissa Louise

Letterer & Designer: DC Hopkins

Editor: Lauren Sankovitch

Cover Artists: David Marquez & Nick Derington

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: August 13, 2025

 

When Aida awakened in a pit, Alex and Vasha found her. The girl didn't recognize them and ran away to find her mother. Soldiers tried to arrest her. Then four people appeared, wielding astonishing powers. While Vasha fought them off, Alex summoned a glowing portal. As she fell through it, Aida glimpsed memories of her mother. What happened to Aida’s mother? And what do Alex and Vasha want with her? Let’s leap into The Unchosen #2 and see!

 

Story

In David Marquez’s story, Alex and Vasha brought Aida to their school. Alex agrees to help her find her mother. But first, Aida must learn to protect herself. Otherwise, people like the soldiers, and the dark-garbed warriors Vasha fought would capture her. Aida doesn't understand the dangers surrounding her. She yearns to return to the hillside cabin she shares with her mom.

 

As she attends to her studies, Aida feels like she doesn't fit in. She cannot use The Word like the other students. Her friend, Daniel, may be a slow learner. But even he admits that she seems to be taking too long to master the basics. The Novitiate needs people to fight those who use their power to inflict pain and destruction. Yet like the legendary Korra, who struggled to master air-bending, Aida feels like a failure.

 

The Unchosen #2 takes us into Aida's memories. Or at least, those she can remember. After Alex and Vasha brought her to the school, Aida awakened from a nightmare involving her mother. Daniel was the first to welcome her. Despite her fears, Daniel assured Aida that if Alex and Vasha sought her out, she belonged.

 

Aida and Daniel may not run with the cool crowd. Still, the friends realize that responsibility comes with power. The first time we saw Daniel, he cradled a bird in his hands and cried because he couldn’t revive it. Aida struggles with her anger, and her frequent use of profanity shows she doesn’t respect the damage that words can inflict. Still, we learn why Alex befriended Aida’s mother, and why he believes Aida can wield The Word responsibly in The Unchosen #2.

 

Art

Aida remembers standing on the hillside beside her mother. After gazing down into the valley and out to sea, she awakens in a darkened room. Out in the hall, Aida sees the moon rising above a river twisting between hills through towering wall windows. When she whirls at Daniel’s appearance, the boy moves to leave before a view of a distant waterfall. The two regard each other in close-ups. Then, David Marquez pulls back to reveal how their Asgardian surroundings dwarf the young students.

 

After Aida leaves the bluish-gray hall, she bursts into Alex's office. Like Vasha, he wears white and red. His brown robe links Alex with the book-filled shelves covering the walls and the desk filled with papers. Two green objects unite Alex with Aida. Golden trees grow between the towering wall windows and glow in the dark alcoves of the dining hall, imbuing the school with a regal flair. Yet Marissa Louise saves the most vibrant coloring for an evening rendezvous. Orange, red, and purple fill the skies as Alex and Vasha accompany Aida. When Aida arrives for her fateful meeting, yellow and orange rage in The Unchosen #2.

 

DC Hopkins fills white dialogue balloons with uppercase black letters that grow bold for intonation, swell for volume, and shrink for lowered voices. Off-camera dialogue appears in beige and lavender narrative boxes. The merged halves of the same person stand before two types of writing. An unseen breeze whips Aida's hair as furious white scribbles and colors banish the darkness. Thanks to Image Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

School dominates our lives and shapes our characters. Yet few students choose the schools they attend. Then, there are the people we must befriend, or at least learn to get along with. As Aida struggles to understand why she must attend this school at the end of the world, the girl wrestles with why she cannot master the basics of the curriculum in The Unchosen #2.

 

Rating 9/10

 

For how this series began see my review of The Unchosen #1.