"What scares me is losing the people I love."
My second Spider-woman comic, 'Spider-Gwen' is like a sister-book to 'Silk', and I bought both to see how they differed.
'Spider-Gwen, Vol. 0: Most Wanted?' is set in an alternate reality where it is Gwen Stacy who was bitten by a radioactive spider in high school, and it was Peter Parker who died. Big difference in this canon is Peter turned himself into the Lizard to bring himself up to Gwen's level and capabilities, his love for her appeared one-sided, and it is his tragic downfall that makes a wanted fugitive out of Spider-Gwen (or Spider-Woman as she's called within the story, because obviously, who would give away their real name in their secret hero identity?)
While reading 'Spider-Gwen' I had slight trouble getting into the story and connecting to the characters, perhaps because of my ignorance of the Spider-verse comics and some important details in the backstory. At the last issue, in fact, I was just about ready to give up on it, because it seemed to have abandoned its own plot in favour of non-sequitur one-shots and fanservice.
Similar to 'Silk', 'Spider-Gwen' is slow-going, though unlike 'Silk' it is darker and harder to follow despite its colourful art. But its character development is more gradual and subtle, which I now see works to its advantage when giving us loads of action scenes whilst never passing up on strong character interactions. So even if I rate 'Silk' higher in merely enjoying a comic book, 'Spider-Gwen' does some things better.
But before I go any further, can I just say that I fucking love Spider-Gwen's costume? It's beautiful and unique, and like with Silk's costume it is clearly meant to be a separate identity from Spider-Man. Lovely. So props there.
Gushing out of the way - check. Now onto Gwen Stacy.
I grew to really like the hard-hitting blonde teen. At first she seems moody and as selfish and shallow as her small group of friends. However, she gradually reveals a deeply vulnerable side to the readers, and shows just how much Peter's death affected her as both Spider-Gwen and regular Gwen. She cannot believe in herself, makes a lot of foolish mistakes, and struggles with self-pity on a daily basis. As a costumed superheroine Gwen is snarky, witty and sarcastic - like Peter Parker's Spidey - but it's to hide her trauma. As a police captain's daughter she is a rage-venting band drummer who loves music more than anything. I like how solid these parts of her life are depicted, as they make her more believable, and the colourful artwork helps tremendously.
My favourite parts are when she is with her father, Captain George Stacy, who is on the hunt for Spider-Woman after Peter's "murder". Their talks together are incredibly touching; Captain Stacy loves his young daughter very much but, as a cop and a single father, he has to find a compromise when trying to protect her - when she doesn't want protection - and helping her deal with her grief. Both characters struggle with personal and public issues on a large scale. Their relationship reminds me of DC's Barbara Gordon's with her father, Commissioner Gordon.
In this reality, Mary-Jane Watson is the lead singer of a girl band called the Mary-Janes. Honestly, controversial as this might sound, I like this version of her. MJ (or Em-Jay as she's called in text) is ambitious, assertive and takes shit from no one, and her flaws make her all the more human. She's constantly ruffling up her red hair in frustration, and I love it. It's realistic that there would be constant strife between MJ and the other band members, especially since the Mary-Janes have started their path to fame and any setback is like the end of the world. I've rehearsed and been up on stage many times back in my school days, and I know the stress which feels like murder.
Despite all the arguing, Gwen is still friends with MJ, Glory and Betty (and the awesomely-named cat, Murder-Face), who all love what they do, and who need each other. The Mary-Janes are among the many people in Gwen's life who help straighten her out and give her a purpose.
Ben and May Parker briefly appear as the Stacy’s neighbours, and they are a joy. Literally life-savers, they are wonderful people for Gwen and the captain to lean on when they need guidance. Gwen's talk with May about Peter is one of the best scenes I've ever read in any comic, no doubt.
Even Black Cat, aka Felicia Hardy, who appears in the last issue, is more interesting than she is in 'Silk'. In the 'Spider-Gwen' universe she is a French POC thief/rival band member whose motive is revenge. I won't reveal any more about her, but she is a riot (real cats as fellow band players - great cartoony fun), as well as a tragic figure - a darker counterpart to Gwen.
Also there's Spider-Pig. Because why the hell not?
Among 'Spider-Gwen''s themes of rebellious youth and bombastic, fear-mongering media coverage, there is relevant commentary on police brutality. This is shown through the character of Lieutenant Frank Castle, who takes pleasure in terrorising criminals out in public and during interrogation processes. His means are dangerous and illegal, but because he is "of the law", as it were, he also sees himself as above the law, so he can take matters into his own hands however he wants and not face the consequences. Castle is what Captain Stacy might become should he go too far in thinking he is right in wanting to catch supposed villains - to the point of murder on sight. In the beginning of the volume a frightened cop threatens to shoot Spider-Gwen for daring to appear in public. He fires at her in a crowded subway, with his hands shaking, and Gwen has to restrain him for everyone's protection, but of course he doesn't see it like that.
This and many other encounters follow the irritated Gwen towards the edge. She lives in a world that wants her dead for something she wasn't directly responsible for, and she may or may not try to prove that everyone is wrong about her, however fruitless. Either way Gwen tries not to let being called a killer - or irresponsible with her great powers - get to her, but we soon see it does. She does blame herself for what happened to Peter, and it's only a matter of talking to the right people in order to move on and set a good example as Spider-Woman. And as herself.
Another similarity to 'Silk' is the villains without a strong presence, apart from the charismatic and manipulative Matt Murdock, who's apparently evil in Spider-Gwen's universe. I barely remember the Kingpin being involved here, convoluted as the bad guy plot (or lack of, it's so confusing) is. Yet more questions and plot threads are left dangling from old cobwebs. For example, what is up with the Spider-Man that watches over Spider-Gwen at the end of the first issue? We never see or hear of him again afterwards. Gwen is also really bad at keeping her identity a secret, with her changing costumes in an occupied room as quickly as a disaster arrives. It seems the only reason no one has outed her yet is because of plot convenience.
However, in spite of its dark themes and tone, 'Spider-Gwen, Vol. 0' has a lot of heart underneath the surface. It may not be as accessible to newer readers as 'Silk' is, but it has a lot going for it (except for there being no LBGTQ content, even as a subtext). The characterisation is honest, brutal and solid, making for gut-punching scenes of quiet development; not just for OTT action. The same can be said for the dialogue.
Gwen Stacy wasn't the heroine I had been expecting: She feels real, a martyr in her role as a hero in Peter Parker's web-slinging shoes. With her dreams in music, she doesn't lack personal goals and ambition. With her redemption arc after a friend's tragic fall, her motivation is clear. Better still there is no love interest in sight. A feminist icon in the making to be sure.
Cutthroat yet smart and thoughtful when it needs to be, 'Spider-Gwen' is a treat worth savouring - slowly but getting tastier with each reread.
Final Score: 3.5/5
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