Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artists: Paolo Villanelli
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Cover Artists: Mark Brooks; Ernanda Souza; Edwin Galmon & Federico Blee;
Design & Production: Carlos Lao
Editors: MR Daniel, Kaeden McGahey, Jordan D White & C B Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Black Tarantula kidnapped Jeffrey Barbour. He accused the judge of misappropriating public funds and releasing violent criminals onto the streets. Black Tarantula created an app detailing the judge’s corruption. He gave the public five hours to vote on Barbour's innocence or guilt. How will the kidnapping and trial of a New York judge affect the city? And how will it impact Gwen Stacy’s relationship with Black Tarantula? Let's thwip into Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8 and find out!
Story
Luke Cage ran for mayor because he wanted to uphold justice. He tried to imprison Tombstone for becoming the new kingpin of crime. But Tombstone bribed the judge hearing his case. Even after Tombstone tried to kill his daughter and had a brutal fight with Spider-Man, the judge freed Tombstone. So now Black Tarantula presents another corrupt judge to the public. No payoffs can prevent the public from voting on Judge Barbour’s innocence or guilt. No lawyers can raise objections, make arguments, or delay the trial. Black Tarantula wants to sweep aside New York City’s representative form of government and replace it with a direct democracy. But as Gwen asks in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider #8, can an unjust man provide justice?
This is a vexing question for Gwen, as Chameleon tarnished her reputation. By perpetuating crimes using her image, Chameleon made it impossible to grant Spider-Gwen a fair hearing. Everyone saw her traumatize children, vandalize buildings, and steal cars. Then, Gwen saved Chameleon from Black Tarantula, making her look more guilty. The police issued an arrest warrant for her. But when Black Tarantula's "news" builds on people's suspicions of government corruption, Mayor Cage needs help to put down civil unrest. Although she hails from Earth-65, Spider-Gwen is one of the "heroes" Luke fought to protect by overturning Fisk's law.
While Stephanie Phillips weaves a complex story around our trust in the government, she keeps the spotlight on Gwen. Black Tarantula tried to kill her. Then he invited Gwen to dinner, invaded her home, and sent her flowers. Gwen wants a relationship with Fabian, the young man she met in a coffee shop. Yet her days are filled with threats like Chameleon and Black Tarantula. She is a visitor to this world. Her apartment isn't safe anymore. And she fears whatever apocalypse affected her world will impact Earth-616. Jessica Jones proves the voice of reason in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8. After encouraging Gwen to pursue her interest in Fabian, Jessica tries to get Luke Cage to see the larger picture. But tackling Black Tarantula and getting him to defuse the tension he created in New York City falls on Gwen Stacy's shoulders.
Art
As a storm descends on New York City, the streetlights switch on. People grab their umbrellas and gather outside City Hall. But the mayoral address takes on a crazed look as an aggrieved citizen pulls a gun, and Spider-Gwen bursts in to protect Mayor Cage. After Chameleon sprayed graffiti on buildings and Black Tarantula invaded her home, someone invaded and defaced the atrium of City Hall. But unlike Black Tarantula's flowers and Miles Morales' artistic displays, crude spraypainted slogans greet visitors who ascend the central staircase.
Gray, purple, and blue dominate the dark streets, punctuated by green and magenta, and the energy Spider-Gwen unleashes. As a shadow hangs over Gwen’s future, darkness seeps into the ivory walls as Gwen and Luke converse. When the clouds vanish, and two men share a table in a cheery diner, Matt Milla unleashes a palette of brilliant color while a man clad in gray armor looks on. A green gas seeps into panels in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8, aggravating people's fears and transforming those nearby into monsters. Amid the furious clash of colors, Gwen relives the devastation of her world, and an adversary assumes the appearance of the ravens that flock to her.
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. Amid all the thwipping, the sound of rushing air links violence at a news briefing with a villain who transforms reality into nightmares. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
The Gang War brought New York City to its knees. Now, the Black Tarantula arouses people's distrust in government. As Spider-Gwen fights to protect elected officials and the frightened public, another villain inflames Spider-Gwen's fears that the apocalypse that hit Earth-65 will follow her to Earth-616 in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8.
Rating 9.4/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
