Spider-Woman (2015) #1
Dennis Hopeless is an amazing storyteller. I would love to see a Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman series on Netflix. The way Hopeless writes each issue of Spider-Woman feels like “watching” a story unfold. It’s not just reading. Add Javier Rodriguez’s art, which manages to be both dark and vibrant, and what you have is an experience. A perfect one.
Jessica Drew isn’t the type of woman to let pregnancy slow her down. I think most of us feel that way, but the reality is: it will. Pregnancy will force you to double-check (and sometimes overthink) every decision you make throughout the day. From what you eat to how you navigate the world. And this is frustrating as hell for Jessica.
In this issue, we’re treated to hilarious and heartwarming flashbacks of Jessica’s pregnancy, including the months she spent resisting the urge to jump into battle as she trained/watched Porcupine to take on the bad guys.
Satisfied he (with Ben Urich’s help) can handle the job, she begins her maternity leave. Again, we watch as she embraces and struggles with her newfound free time. I should note here that Hopeless nails this and Rodriguez’s facial expressions for Jessica are among the best I’ve ever seen in a comic book. Jessica Drew, at all times, feels like a living, breathing person.
Like, as I type this, I truly believe she’s in the Alpha Flight’s maternity ward, ready to lay a pregnant smackdown on the aliens taking everyone hostage - which is where the issue leaves us.
Spider-Woman #1
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Plot - 10/1010/10
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Dialogue - 10/1010/10
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Art - 10/1010/10
Summary
There wasn’t a damn thing wrong with this issue. Seriously. The flashbacks were inserted naturally and were perfectly placed to illustrate how Jessica got to where she is now. Well, except one bit: We don’t know who the father is, and I’m okay with that. The real story was watching this fearless hero adjust to being “normal,” which is what she was striving for when she left The Avengers. I’m reading many series right now, but Jessica Drew is the character I feel I know the best. Understand the most. That’s all due to Hopeless’ own handle on who this woman is.
The humor that drew me in from the beginning is abundant in this issue, but the best moment was Captain Marvel setting Tony Stark up for failure by urging him to ask Jessica who got her pregnant.
Rodriguez is the G.O.A.T. Period. Every page is eye candy, eye porn, whatever else you can think of that is pleasing to the eye. His art looks like how ice cream tastes. Delicious.
