All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #9 – “Itsy-Bitsy Spider”

Gwen is struggling with a mistake that she recently made. Causing people close to her to take a break from being Ghost-Spider. But Gwen is not the only one who is struggling with things going on in their life…

Creative Team

Stephanie Phillips (Writer), Paolo Villanelli (Artist), Matt Milla (Colorist), Ariana Maher (Letterer),
David Marquez & Federico Blee (Cover Artists), Declan Shalvey (Variant Cover Artist)

Kat Walkington (Designer), Martin Biro (Associate Editor), Emerald Bensadoun (Assistant Editor),
Jordan D. White (Senior Editor), C.B. Cebulski (Editor-in-Chief)

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Itsy-Bitsy Spider

Issue nine of All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider by Stephanie Phillips brings you so much emotional drama with Gwen. This issue brings recent events from this series full circle. Another great aspect of this issue is the amount of character star power that, as a reader, I was not expecting. With how powerful this issue is, it is very surprising that this series is coming to a close at issue ten…

The beginning of this issue directs your attention to the issues that Mysterio is facing regarding his feud with Hammerhead. Which is so powerful within itself. If you know Mysterio, he is focused on the performance of his crimes. Everything he does is a production. Well, this issue focuses on him becoming a “has-been.” That nothing he does now is deemed worthwhile. Which is something that I feel some (if not all) readers can personally relate to.

Moving on to the issue, we further address the struggle that is attacking the soul of Gwen. She made a mistake in issue eight that is following her in more ways than one. Thus, causing her to lose track of time when trying to make it to a show her band was slated to perform. Once realizing how late she actually was, her bandmates try to have a serious heart-to-heart with her. Which doesn’t go over well at all…

Gwen knows that she has done something terrible, but cannot figure out why she doesn’t truly feel bad about what she has done. During some self-reflection, Gwen is cornered by a group of individuals who genuinely care for her and her mental well-being. But the feel of this was that of an intervention, and Gwen was not having that at all. Which makes Gwen take off on the run to a specific location to where she does yet another unthinkable thing… Leaving you to question how this series is only running to ten issues!

The Writing

Travis – Stephanie Phillips has total control over this issue and the roads she wants you, the reader, to wander down. The dialogue between the characters, as well as the internal dialogue, is so impactful to the continuous development of the characters. You feel the turmoil come off the pages and slap you in the face. Which causes you to not only feel sympathy for the characters, but to also go on your own journey of self-reflection.

Megan – Stephanie Phillips creates All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #9 with huge emotions and the ability to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Seeing Gwen feeling out of control and completely alone put you in your own emotions as you want to see her supported. But when she has everyone in her life telling her that it’s time to put the mask away, it’s very clear that she’s on her own in this. With the ending, it felt like a metaphorical punch to the gut that leaves you extremely anxious to see what happens next for Gwen.

The Artwork

Travis – Paolo Villanelli and Matt Milla brought the fire with this issue! Spider-Gwen comics are well known for their amazing use of vibrant background colors, and this issue is no exception! The action panels are so detailed and colored so perfectly. And the final splash page to end this issue is absolutely gorgeous! I would love to have that specific page as a poster on my wall!

Ariana Maher does an amazing job lettering this issue! The various comment bubbles for specific characters really help to articulate who is saying what within the panels. Another factor that helps with that same topic is the changing of the text color as well! Placement of the comment bubbles is huge within comics, and to me would probably be the hardest part of being a letterer. But Arianna makes it look so effortless! The placement is perfect so as not to take away from the amazing artwork within the panels.

Megan – There’s a beautiful match of the heightened emotions to the art that puts you in Gwen’s exact headspace. You can feel the loneliness and the frustration when no one is listening to Gwen when she tries to explain herself. This is all thanks to Paolo Villanelli, Matt Milla, and Ariana Maher, who all come together to put the tones of the story on full display. Villanelli draws the characters in a way that shows their restless emotions, while giving gorgeous details in each panel. Milla thrives on using the darker tones to highlight the vibrancy of the pages. With every “thwip”, Maher takes you into Gwen’s world and makes you feel everything she’s feeling. Together, the artists truly created something beautiful.

Final Thoughts

Travis – 10/10. I am constantly mesmerized by the emotional draw that Stephanie puts within her stories. And this Spider-Gwen series has not disappointed in that facet at all! You feel the emotional confusion from Gwen as she is trying to deal with the mistake she made. And you relate to the fact that Gwen is like any other human being and doesn’t accept that her friends/family are trying to help her. I cannot wait to see what Stephanie has in store for the final issue of this series with issue ten. Especially how this issue ends… Go get your copy of this amazing story, and all of the previous eight issues to complete the collection!

Megan – 10/10. The story, the artwork, the ability to capture the reader’s attention and hold it throughout the comic goes to show just how talented this team truly is.

Overall Grade – 10/10

Comic Book Reviews & Much More: Nerd Initiative
Previous Spider-Gwen Review: All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #8 – New Fear
Travis’ Comic Book Reviews: TravisComicHaven – Nerd Initiative
Megan’s Comic Book Reviews: Megan Nichole – Nerd Initiative

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