The latest installment in the Giant-Size initiative hits shelves with Giant-Size Spider-Gwen #1 from Melissa Flores, Alba Glez, Elisabetta D’Amico, Fer Suifentes-Sujo and VC’s Ariana Maher. It’s a tale that, like all the best Spider-Verse stories, has a personal edge to it. Following the events of Spider-Gwen: SMASH!, Gwen Stacy must deal with a new threat in the form of her bandmate Mary Jane “Em Jay” Watson. Em Jay is struggling to control the Carnage symbiote that lies dormant within her, leading to tension in the Mary Janes. As if that wasn’t enough Gwen also has to face Orlando Octavius – the son of Dr. Otto Octavius!
Though this story takes place after Spider-Gwen: SMASH!, it manages to be a standalone tale thanks to some clever scripting on Flores’ part. What makes Giant-Size Spider-Gwen #1 work is the emotional underlining: Gwen is stumped on how to help Em Jay – and it doesn’t help that Em Jay says some truly hurtful things when in Carnage mode. Flores’ work has dealt with mental health, particularly in The Dead Lucky and Radiant Pink, so I can’t help but feel that she may be using the Carnage situation as a way to tackle that subject. It’s done in a way that feels genuine, which I love.
Marvel Comics
Glez’s artwork hews fairly close to Spider-Gwen: SMASH! artist Enid Balam’s style, with plenty of anime-inspired flair. It’s also very frentic; from the opening sequence where Gwen fights a Carnaged-out Em Jay to her battle with Orlando. Speaking of Orlando, he is one of the more stylish supervillains in a Marvel comic; he wears an ornate trench coat and has designer frames for his glasses – and like his father, he possesses a set of cybernetic arms. Sifuentes-Sujo once again brings a bright, poppy set of colors to the world of Earth-65, including plenty of white and pink to represent Gwen.
If there’s one issue with Giant-Size Spider-Gwen #1, it’s that it ends too soon. The final page will have fans screaming for more, and it’s unclear if the plot threads introduced in this one-shot will be picked up any time soon. Granted, I have faith in Stephanie Phillips and Chris Campana to deliver the goods with their upcoming Ghost-Spider series. But Flores and her collaborators hooked me…much like any concert, I can’t help but feel a little sad when the lights go off.
Giant-Size Spider-Gwen #1 hits all the right notes for a Spider-Verse story, even if the ending leaves you wanting more. It’s a great read for Spider-Gwen fans, especially as it includes two stories for the price of one with the reprint of Spider-Gwen #13. Hopefully Flores will get a chance to write Gwen again in the future.
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