SPIDER-WOMAN: 50th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1

“High Tag Wins” Creative Team – Ann Nocenti, Stefano Raffaele, Neeraj Menon, Travis Lanham

“The Mysterious Spider-Woman” – Dan Watters, Andrea Broccardo, Mattia Iacono, Travis Lanham

Published by Marvel Comics

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The Story

This comic is reviewed by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn, and your truly, Megan!

Shawn – I enjoy the anniversary special stories, and I really enjoy that Marvel decided to only go with two stories in this issue and really let them shine. The result was two really well-done stories from Ann Nocenti and Dan Watters that did such a great job of highlighting the history of Jessica Drew. I loved Ann Nocenti’s decision to take Jessica Drew to her private investigator era. It’s such an impactful time for the character, and Nocenti really captures those moments of vulnerability as she’s learning to balance between private investigator and a hero. The story not only gives an old school noir feel but it just feels like a classic Jessica Drew story.

The second story from Dan Watters serves not only as an anniversary story, but it also sets up the future of Jessica Drew as it serves as the introductory story for the new Spider-Woman series coming this November. I genuinely love the decision to lean into the private investigator aspect for Jessica, and it feels like such a great narrative decision for Watters to bring Ben Urich into the story. Watters crafts a story that is not only fitting for an anniversary special but also features a twist that no one could see coming. The result is a story that is dark and foreboding while also setting up what promises to be an exciting run for Watters on the new Spider-Woman series.

Megan – Spider-Woman: Special Anniversary Special #1 is broken up into two stories, “High Tag Wins” and “The Mysterious Spider-Woman“. Ann Nocenti brings Jessica Drew back to her private eye life in Los Angeles in the first story, “High Tag Wins“. In this story, we see a more vulnerable side of Jessica as she’s navigating life as a single private eye who’s making new friends. Of course, her superhero life can’t take a back seat, especially when her new friend is in danger, but maybe she can be both a superhero and a normal private eye.

In the second story, “The Mysterious Spider-Woman”, Ben Urich is meeting up with Jessica, who just solved a case that had the NYPD stressing. Of course, it’s never a simple job for Jessica as Ben asks her to handle the more adventurous missions, but this mission is overall strange. Jessica solves the problem, but Ben can feel that there’s something she isn’t telling him. When her secret is revealed, it certainly takes you by surprise! It ends with an exciting “to be continued” which I can’t wait to see in the new series coming in November!

The Art

Shawn -Stefano Raffaele does a beautiful job in the first story, capturing the old-school newsstand print feel of the story. It leans heavily into the Infantino-era look of Jessica Drew and creates an instantaneous connection to the history of the character that is fitting for the anniversary issue. Neeraj Menon does a wonderful job capturing the feel of the original ongoing through colors. The palettes feel slightly subdued to capture the newstand-era feel.

Andrea Broccardo gives us a preview of what is to come with some amazing line work that crafts smooth lines for Jessica’s outfit while crafting a villain that is truly terrifying. The big twist in this story works so well in part because Broccardo’s lines are so smooth that you look back at the panel to make sure you actually saw what you think you saw. Mattia Iacono does a beautiful job with the colors, bringing Jessica Drew’s signature look into an updated and modern style. Ben Urich is colored and shaded in a way that you feel the weight of his secrets coming through the page. Travis Lanham masterfully handles the lettering on both stories making them flow easily.

Megan – Both stories come with their own creative team, and both have art that is absolutely stunning. In the first story, Stefano Raffaele brings gorgeous linework, making each panel excellently detailed. I think the detailing work shines the brightest when the antagonist has his time to shine in the story. Neeraj Menon brings a lot of vibrancy to the story, making the Los Angeles energy clear throughout the story.

In the second story, Andrea Broccardo draws a villain that is utterly horrifying, which adds to the menacing nature of the villain. Along with the looks of the characters, Broccardo draws the action in a way that makes you feel a part of it, upping the overall excitement. Mattia Iacono handles the colors and works really well with the darker tones, thereby having Spider-Woman’s iconic red and yellow suit being the focal point of the story.

Travis Lanham handles the lettering of both stories, and matches the differing tones expertly. Both stories have their own emotions and their own specific tones, and they’re captured perfectly through the dialogue of the characters.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 8/10. I liked the idea behind this. I can see what Marvel was going for, but it felt like the story needed a little more oomph. Watters story does a perfect job of creating buzz for the new series but overall the issue just feels more like a one-shot and not exactly an anniversary issue.

Megan – 8/10. I think Spider-Woman: 50th Anniversary Special #1 did a great job at showing what a powerhouse of a character Jessica is while making me very excited for what’s to come for Spider-Woman.

Overall Grade – 8/10

Let us know what you thought of Spider-Woman: 50th Anniversary Special #1!