Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3 Review

 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artists: Federica Mancin & Paolo Villanelli

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: Mark Brooks, Ryan Stegman, Annie Wu & Skottie Young

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 31, 2024

 

Spider-Man lured Gwen Stacy to a cargo ship at the docks. He fought her and transformed into Kraven before his face went blank. Who is this man of a thousand faces? Let's thwip into Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3 and see if we can unravel this web of mystery!

 

Story

Chameleon stole her face. Like Joan Jett, Kraven’s half-brother is giving Ghost-Spider a Bad Reputation. Why is Chameleon hurting people in her name? Why is he making everyone think Gwen is a criminal?

 

Gwen Stacy is a woman in chains. While hanging inside the cargo ship, her father appears. He reminds her that force can’t solve every problem. Then something happens she doesn’t understand. A startling metamorphosis occurs. Gwen escapes her chains amid this strange event and fights Chameleon. Now, people see two Ghost-Spiders terrorizing citizens and destroying public property. Could things get any worse for Gwen?

 

In Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3, Ouroborus’ words haunt Gwen Stacy. He warned her that wearing the suit would bring deadly consequences. The Time Variance Authority agent pulled her out of an apocalypse on Earth-65 and asked her to live as Lisa Rogers. But Gwen refused to stay in her apartment. She blamed the symbiote for her insatiable acts of heroism. Now, while she transforms, so does Chameleon.

 

As Stephanie Phillips reveals Gwen's growing powers, Phillips populates her story with classic Spidey villains like Kraven, Chameleon, and Black Tarantula. She intrigues us with the perils facing Gwen and the multiverse. But at its core, Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3 is a horror story. Someone stole Gwen’s identity. They are ruining her new life on Earth-616. Wait! Someone caused an apocalypse on Earth-65. As Gwen's powers grow, so do Chameleon’s. Did Gwen unleash chaos in her world? Might she be the instrument of destruction for Earth-616? Could she become a cancer afflicting every planet in the multiverse?

 

 

 

Art

Families enjoying a cheery day in the park are stunned by Gwen’s obnoxious thwips. She frightens a child with a Venomous grin. The Ghost-Spider’s graffiti can’t compare to Miles’ artistry, but she tears up the streets in a car chase through New York City. Yet Gwen hangs by chains in the damaged cargo ship. Fog hovers over the deck as her father appears. Through her ripped mask, she watches him emerge from the darkness. When he fades, light blasts from her mouth. The energy rips through the deck and becomes a cyclone above the ship. Identities lose their meaning as Gwen fights Gwen. Only the powers they unleash distinguish one Ghost-Spider from another.

 

Matt Milla lavishes a loaded palette of vibrant colors on Federica Mancin’s fanciful and action-packed art in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3. Milla grounds bright blues, greens, oranges, and yellows against beiges, tans, and browns. People glow in the sunlight and grow purple in the shade. Yet white proves most potent as it whirls and crackles from Gwen's black, lavender, pink, and yes, white suit. Purple dominates the evening sky as Paolo Villanelli steeps Federica Mancin’s final scenes in greens, yellows, and oranges.

 

Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons with long white arrows and rouge words into white narrative boxes outlined with turquoise. The text varies in size as it grows bold and enlarges for intonation, while epic-sized dialogue elevates tense drama and action. Vibrant and energizing sound effects accompany rattling chains and spur on an energy storm while brawling Ghost-Spiders split a taxi in two like the Hulk fighting the Abomination in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

With power comes responsibility. But Gwen Stacy didn't heed OB's warning. Now, her powers are growing, and her friends are frightened for her. Perhaps they're scared of her. But no one is more terrified than Gwen is in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3. A bonus multipage installment of a serial about a brawl across the multiverse featuring Deadpool, Wolverine, and excessive facial hair makes this a Can't-Miss issue!

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Amazing Spider-Man #54 Review

 

Writers: Zeb Wells

Pencilers: Ed McGuinness

Inker: Mark Farmer, Mark Morales, Wade Von Grawbadger & Ed McGuinness

Colorists: Marcio Menyz

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer & Marcio Menyz; Gabriele Dell’Otto; Javier Garrón & Jesus Aburtov; Federica Mancin & Edgar Delgado; Yasmine Putri

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: July 31, 2024

 

Evil never dies, and no one eats sins for breakfast. Instead, the Green Goblin hid. It stepped out now and then to dance a fiendish flamenco with Spider-Man. Then, it slithered back to the darkness to plan its triumphant return. This time, it wanted a bigger prize. So it tempted Norman Osborn to infect Peter Parker with its malice. When Ms Marvel organized a rescue, the Walking Brain exploded, and Peter, Norman, and the Walking Brain’s head fell into a pit. Kraven sealed them inside and guarded the entry hatch, refusing to let the malice escape. Are Nancy and Ann Wilson right? Must Peter or Norman keep on sinning? And after a goblin glider struck his chest, is Rek-Rap heartless? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #54 and find out!

 

Story

Would you give up your life for your friends? Ms. Marvel died defending Peter Parker and Mary Jane. The Mutants gave her another life, but Ms Marvel didn’t forget the plans she made in her former one. Ms Marvel awaited the Green Goblin's return. She organized a team to protect Norman and Peter from the malicious spirit and led a raid into Norman’s domain to battle the Green Goblin. Ms Marvel stared Death in the face and punched its crazed smile. She would have battled on, but Kraven stopped her. The Hunter doesn’t want anyone else to lose their lives to the Green Goblin. The heroes underground must defeat him before Kraven releases them from the pit.

 

How much of your life will you devote to others? The Living Brain planned for the Goblin’s eventual return. When that happened, it sacrificed most of its knowledge and thinking capacity to inhabit a robot. Yet, like Ms Marvel, it never wavered in its dedication to the plan. Let’s hope the Walking Brain's forethought and sacrifice pay off, so when it emerges from the pit and reunites with its metal body, it can grab a cigar and proclaim, “I love it when a plan comes together!”

 

When riches, power, and responsibilities weakened Norman Osborn, he fell prey to the Green Goblin’s domination. But now, just like any abuser, the possessing spirit wants to discard Norman for a younger, more vigorous host. Thankfully, no one vomits a stream of split pea soup in the pit beneath Oscorp. Still, Zeb Wells’ story reminds us not to let others dictate our thoughts and actions. Help others in need, but choose your path and live your dreams. Don’t let anyone or anything subjugate, dominate, or derail you because you're thwipping awesome! That’s the message of Amazing Spider-Man #54.

 

Art

Ms Marvel pulls on a metal hatch with her stretchy arms and Dr Octavius' old metal appendages. A one-armed man asks a Hulk-sized hero if he needs help pulling a smoking metal glider from his chest. Kraven presses Doug to his abdomen with his forearm and wraps the fingers of his other hand around J. Jonah Jameson’s neck. Go on, Jameson! Blame Spidey for the Green Goblin’s return!

 

Mark Farmer, Mark Morales, and Wade Von Grawbadger enhance Ed McGuinness’ portrayal of a mournful Norman and an exultant Peter. Energy crackles from the Winkler Device helmet at the bottom of the spear while the bejeweled head evokes a Minbari White Star. Pipes and equipment line the excavated tunnel walls as Peter and Norman vie to wield the weapon and avoid the raging spirit that hungers to control both men. 

 

 

 

Lights shine on Ms Marvel’s dark hair and reflect off her colorful suit and metal gauntlet as she strains to pry apart blue-gray metal. Purple and green threaten to outshine red and blue amid brown earthen walls. The sinful spear trails a red ribbon in its wake before the spirit manifests as a disembodied jubilant face, its yellow eyes and white fangs whirling through the air like a Poltergeist and spooking yellow sparks from Spidey’s red mask in Amazing Spider-Man #54. Yet Marcio Menyz shows the tide of battle turn when Spider-Man crouches before a green metal head amid the battle for three people's lives.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. The fonts grow bold for inflection, swell for increased volume, get italicized for machine-speak, and shrink for lowered voices. Colored laughter and anguished cries fill the air. Enlarged letters burst from dialogue balloons, and vibrant sound effects enhance the thunder below ground in Amazing Spider-Man #54. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

As Peter Parker’s friends strive to help him cast out a possessing spirit, three people test the limits of their bravery, ingenuity, and willingness to sacrifice to answer a question that will determine their destiny in Amazing Spider-Man #54.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1 Review

 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artist: Federica Mancin

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: Nolan Woodard, Mark Brooks, Jenny Frison, David Lopen, Ernanda Souza & Pablo Villalobos

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: May 22, 2024

 

Gwen Stacy calls Earth-65 home. She plays drums in a band, gets along with her father, and moonlights as Spider-Woman or Ghost-Spider. So why is she on Earth-616, forbidden to use her powers, and pretending to be Lisa Rogers? Let's thwip into Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1 and find out!

 

Story

Gwen faced an apocalyptic future. She raced past destroyed buildings, pursued by a flock of angry birds. Then OB opened a time-space portal and pulled her inside.

 

Ouroborus, or OB for short, works for the Time Variance Authority. He couldn’t convince Mobius of her importance, so he ignored his supervisor’s decision and saved Gwen anyway. OB wants her to lay low in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1. But Gwen can't help it. Her symbiote spider-suit craves action. So, like an itch she shouldn’t scratch, Gwen gives in to temptation.

 

First, it's when she sees people threatened. Next, she goes looking for opportunities to help others. But getting seen has its consequences. Soon, people come looking for her. And they're not inviting her to play drums in their band.

 

 

 

Mysteries pervade Stephanie Phillips’ story in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1. What caused the devastation on Earth-65? Why is OB risking his job to place Gwen on Earth-616? Most of all, why does the death of her counterpart on Earth-616 haunt Gwen?

 

OB plucked Gwen Stacy from where she belonged and asked her to hide in plain sight. Untethered from her home, she yearns to fit in and belong. But OB warns Gwen that people will die if she continues to use the suit to help others. Like a pebble dropped in a pond, the ripples will travel through space-time. Could her good intentions bring about his worst fears?

 

With great power comes great responsibility. But is fear of potential consequences sufficient reason not to help people? 

 

 

 

Art

A banker stares at her application. Gwen sits across from him, dressed in a white jacket. A blue cap shelters her face. Then, people scatter papers, freeze, and collapse as masked gunmen enter. At least they're not wearing the faces of former presidents!

 

Hiding behind the banker’s desk, electricity crackles along Gwen’s left arm. Her white hoodie gives way to reddish pink with blue webbing. Masked thieves and Ghost Spider blur amid a flurry of movement. Gunmen crash into each other, and dust rises from the floor as Gwen perches atop a desk. Then Gwen thwips over street traffic and away from the bank as pedestrians cheer, gaze up, and send photos of the webbed wonder across the world wide web.

 

 

 

Matt Milla applies a loaded palette of soft and appealing colors to Federica Mancin’s dynamic art in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1. OB's green shirt reflects the turquoise walls of Gwen's apartment. A poster of a fiercely blue sky and a tropical beach taped to a wall allures. Gwen sits on a pink blanket atop the white mattress on the hardwood floor. Her blonde hair glows while sunlight casts a green shadow across her sparsely furnished apartment. Then, black seeps across OB's shirt, and lavender falls upon Gwen as the TVA agent realizes the difficulty of her situation.

 

Ariana Maher thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons with long white arrows and reddish pink words into white narrative boxes outlined with turquoise. A Ka-Chak sounds from a rifle pointed at a bank clerk. A pink Thwip spills across a gunman clad in black. A siren floats on the breeze caused by blurring automobiles and flies past Gwen's fluttering hair. A red Fwwp signals encroaching weakness as Gwen heeds her symbiote suit's desires and ignores OB's in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1.

 

Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Despite the TVA's orders to lie low, Gwen makes headlines and becomes the target of a savage killer in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artists: Federico Vicentini & Federica Mancin

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Richard Isanove; David Baldeón & Jesus Aburtov; Taurin Clarke; Nic Klien

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 14, 2023

 

Brooklyn’s Team Spidey crashed Rabble and Hobgoblin’s party in the old Beyond building. While Scorpion, Shift, and Starling tackled Hob’s hired hands outside, the Pumpkin-Meister and Techno-master gave Miles Morales, Kamala Khan, and Gust an explosive welcome. Can Miles' clone Shift, his girlfriend Tiana, and reluctant Team Spidey member Mac Gargan take on Ricadonna, Mr. Fish, Man-Bull, Goldbug, and Shocker? Can Brooklyn's Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, and Agent Gao's young wind machine take on Hobgoblin and the Tech Whisperer? Let's ignite our venom-sabers, leap into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16, and find out!

 

Story

Miles had a mini meltdown when he realized Rabble had teamed with Hobgoblin. But Kamala and Tiana helped him reclaim his mojo. Rabble still blames Miles for not getting into Brooklyn Visions Academy. In Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16, he uses Rabble’s grudge to bait her, hoping to distract her battle-focus. After all, Rabble's also prone to meltdowns, but hers are more maxi than mini.

 

Kamala Khan bolsters Miles by reminding him that she died. Now, she has returned to life and fights by his side. Despite his wavering spider sense, this bolsters Miles' mojo too. After all, she gave her life fighting beside the other Spider-Man. He doesn't want to make it two for two with the latest X-Men recruit.

 

Spider-Man weakened Rabble’s ability to talk to technology. Hobgoblin helped Rabble recapture some of what she lost. In return, she helped Hobgoblin track Queen Goblin's movements. She wants a rematch with the young punk who stole her future. Hobgoblin tried to use Aaron Davis to rub out Spider-Man. Miles’ uncle may have flaked out on him, but Rabble helped upgrade Hobgoblin’s tech. Hobgoblin's ultimate prize may be Queen Goblin. Still, he's ready for another battle with Brooklyn's Spider-Man. 

 

 

 

Cody Ziglar’s story features a no-holds-barred battle between Miles, Ms. Marvel, and Gust versus Hobgoblin and Rabble. Outside the abandoned Beyond building, Starling, Scorpion, and Miles' clone Shift take on Ricadonna, Mr. Fish, Man-Bull, Goldbug, and Shocker. Scorpion denigrated Hobgoblin’s security staff by claiming they were Z-Listers. Yet Team Spidey Outdoors struggles to put down these Killer Zs.

 

Like his outdoor squad, Miles' indoor team faces stiff competition. Something's needed to break the stalemate. That's bad for the other Spider-Man, as Peter Parker is counting on Miles’ help at the Battle Of Central Park in Amazing Spider-Man #43. Even if Peter lets Miles down, Miles doesn't want to repay the favor. More importantly, he can't let Hobgoblin and Rabble use what they've built here to aid Madame Masque. Someone needs to think outside the box in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16. Who do you think it'll be?

 

 

 

Art

As the smoke clears, Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, and Gust behold Hobgoblin and Rabble hovering on their gliders. Close-ups of Rabble and Spider-Man reveal their hunger for a rematch. Gust’s swirling air currents knock Rabble off her perch while Ms. Marvel's arm stretches and her hand enlarges to grasp the Tech Whisperer. Miles emulates the Cape Killer's latest recruit by thwipping a swirling web at Hobgoblin. Rabble shows she prepped for Miles' venom saber by summoning an energy blade in each hand.

 

Federico Vicentini & Federica Mancin keep everything in constant movement outside. Scorpion lashes his tail, Shocker's vibro-smashers arc and stream, and Lady Stilt-Man crashes the party to flail her long limbs in a panel or two. Ricadonna’s foot blurs as she kicks away Shift. But then, Ricadonna’s got an axe to grind in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16. Who dares call her a Z-Lister?

 

Bryan Valenza lavishes a loaded palette on Vicentini and Mancin’s dynamic art. Colors vary from subdued to bold, while costume color fades with movement and distance. Background colors often change panel by panel and portray energy and lighting sources. Highlights and shadows ground the characters, while translucent smoke keeps characters visible.

 

 

 

Cory Petit thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16. The large, thin font grows bold for inflection and shrinks for lowered voices. Rabble's dialogue fades to lavender when she does one of her Tech Talks, and Hobgoblin's dialogue occasionally turns the same color, indicating he's learned from her example. Miles' thoughts stand out as white letters in red narrative boxes. Sound effects enhance the fighting inside and out. Occasionally, they release so much energy that they shove all art from a panel, at least the art not showcased within the giant letters.

 

Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy of this Gang War chapter for review.

 

Final Thoughts

While Rabble and Hobgoblin use the Beyond Corporation’s tech to upgrade their powers, Brooklyn’s Team Spidey fights to prevent them from enhancing Madame Masque’s forces with a fleet of killer drones. Yet hovering over Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16 on an invisible glider is the fate of Miles’ uncle Aaron Davis. What happened to the Prowler? Was the Hornet’s faith in him misplaced?

 

Rating 9/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artists: Federico Vicentini & Federica Mancin

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Richard Isanove; Alan Quah; Ken Lashley & Juan Fernandez

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: January 10, 2023

 

Hightail arrested Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. Bereft of his mentor and sword instructor, Spider-Man teamed up with the Cape Killers to take down the Enforcers and his uncle. Then reinforcements swelled Team Spidey's ranks. Can Gang War make Miles' life in Brooklyn any crazier? Let's thwip into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15 and find out!

 

Story

Starling’s reinforcements include Ms. Marvel and Shift. They’re hungry for a punch-up with the Prowler. Or, to quote Miles’ clone, “Glurp.” After trading blows, Aaron Davis explains he was only pretending to work for Hobgoblin. He wants to use what he's learned to help Team Spidey!

 

One of his uncle’s revelations gives Miles a mini-meltdown in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15. Rabble has teamed up with Hobgoblin! Raneem Rashad destroyed his home and tried to kill his family. The young woman with an affinity for technology wants him dead. Uncle Aaron wants to help Team Spidey take down the dangerous duo. But can Miles trust him? Or will they be walking into a trap? If they fail, Misty Knight won’t be rushing to their aid this time.

 

Hobgoblin hired more villains than just Prowler and the Enforcers. Rabble’s ability to control technology could compromise some Team Spidey members. Miles must strategize his assault on Hobgoblin’s fortress to put his teammates where they’re most effective and least vulnerable.

 

Cody Ziglar builds involving character dynamics into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15. Rabble and Hobgoblin's past unites them. The young Cape Killers’ wind machine Gust is happy to swell Team Spidey’s ranks. Scorpion may be willing to work with Miles, but he’s doing this for Agent Gao, not Spidey! Starling wants a rematch with the woman who kidnapped her. Miles rejoices that Ms. Marvel is no longer dead. As for Shift, he’s equally eloquent whether in danger or repose.

 

Or, to put it another way, “Glurp!”

 

 

 

Art

Sunlight reflects off the windows of the abandoned Beyond Corporation. Inside, drones pursue a man. His feet race down a corridor, pursued by the shadow of a gloved hand. His back against a wall, he thrusts his chin up as the Hobgoblin and Rabble close in. Surrounded by hovering drones, Rabble’s glare reflects on his cracked glasses. The energy pulsating from her hands matches the glow in her eyes. Hobgoblin looks up at the hologram she projects, his sharp features in sympathy with the judgment he would dispense.

 

Ms. Marvel's arm launches like an anaconda, knocking the Prowler off his feet. His flowing cape flutters around him as he rolls to avoid Shift's attack. The muscular spider-clone pursues, pounding the rooftop with his mighty fists. Energy arcs and equipment break as Starling and Miles battle Aaron. Then, like Rabble, Miles forces his prey up against the wall.

 

Federico Vicentini and Federica Mancin deliver portraits of heroes and villains under duress. Scenes crackle with energy, and camera angles shift, pulling the reader effortlessly from one panel to the next. Action scenes impress, and emotional rapport drips off the page in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15.

 

Colorist Bryan Valenza’s fully loaded palette brings a wealth of color to Miles’ Gang War teamup. Pink and lavender tinge the evening sky as our heroes punish and interrogate Miles’ untrustworthy uncle. Awash in red, Miles, Shift, and Starling form a powerful triad. Is it a coincidence that the Prowler’s hood evokes Hobgoblin’s, and his lavender cape matches Rabble’s coloring? Light pink streaks the mauve sky like contrails as Miles and his team attack Hobgoblin's headquarters. Yellow energy radiates from Miles as his Spider-Sense goes wild.

 

 

 

Uppercase black and colored letters fill white dialogue balloons in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15. Off-panel utterances and character thoughts thwip white uppercase letters into colored narrative boxes. Uniform size, font style, and balloon placement make for a fun and easy reading experience. Sound effects help us hear drones pummel and break, the energy Rabble and the Shocker wield, and the Prowler receiving Team Spidey’s displeasure. Yet what sticks with you is the energy—and brotherhood—that Miles and Shift’s fist bump conveys.

 

Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy of this Gang War chapter for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Uneasy alliances, a moment of jealousy, and his double-agent uncle force Miles to up his game as Brooklyn’s Team Spidey takes on Hobgoblin and Rabble in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.