Spider-Woman (2015) #15

Previously in Spider-Woman #14

Well, didn’t see that coming.

One of the things I absolutely adore about this series is its handling of real-world, relatable problems; for instance, Jessica being a single parent and trying to juggle that with the responsibilities (and dangers) of being a superhero. I was impressed that Hopeless “went there” and killed Roger, and loved the handling of grief in the prior issue. I wouldn’t have wanted it to turn out that Roger was still alive… until it turned out to be exactly like that. I typically hate it when a death doesn’t “stick” in fiction because the reason why is usually cheesy AF, but leave it to Hopeless to give me exactly what I didn’t even know I wanted.

First, we had the fake-out of someone using Roger’s suit. And even though we knew he wasn’t underneath the hood and even though Jessica knew he wasn’t, we still held our breath when she removed it.

Roger was killed because he wanted out of his contract with Hobgoblin. He liked being a superhero, but wished to retain his suit. With Roger gone, Hobgoblin leased his costume to another low-level villain and that’s who Jessica finds under the mask. Jessica ignores Ben’s advice to cool off before making a move and heads off to find Roger’s killer. His goons find her first, asses are kicked, and just when it appears Jessica might have made a huge mistake, a mysterious man in a hood steps in for an assist.

It’s Roger! He’s got new clothes, a new dolphin-smooth face, and a story about how Carol’s tech saved his life. He’s been lying low and following Jessica in case she needed him. And in case that surprise wasn’t enough, Jessica shocks Roger (and me!) when she gives a kiss and not one of the “best friend who watches my baby sometimes” variety. Of course, we can’t have a happy ending just yet, and Jessica loses Roger once again when Hobgoblin snatches him up.

As much as I want to see how this plays out, I’m more interested in how this change in their relationship status will work. And his ex is going to be pissed.