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SPIDER-GWEN: SMASH #3 by Melissa Flores , Enid Balam, Elisabetta D’Amico, Fernando Sifuentes and Clayton Cowles
Marvel, Melissa Flores, and Team are growing out Earth 65. This time, we get a reveal, a dupe, and a new spin on a semi-familiar face.
Before the SPOILERS, Check out the last issue REVIEW
How did we get here?!
I love it when a good story starts at the end, and “Boondock Saints” itself goes back to the day before. We start with Em Jay on an examination table with a creepily obsessed fan scientist.
Back to the day before, Gwen, Betty, and Gloria have some time together off-stage. But honestly, Gwen is disengaged, staring over at another table with Em, Jay, and Dazzler hanging out. Gwen is still beside herself from falling out with her bandmate now that she’s filling in as Dazzler’s guitarist.
Later that night, outside, Gwen is eavesdropping on Natasha, Allison, and Em Jay. Dazzler is telling Em Jay to take time with her friends, Em Jay gets scooped up by a brainwashed Pixie. Gwen suits up and chases after. Pixie is making a massive gap as she zooms away and Gwen can only websling so fast. Dazzler uses her hard light powers to make her rings to swing from closing the distance. As she’s about to catch up, they realize it’s a trap. The “Hairy Hulk” jumps out and snatches Dazzler, and Pixie escapes with Em Jay.
Did someone call a Doctor?
Natasha and Gwen get the drop on Rick as he is changing back from his Hairy Hulk Out. Natasha questions him about any new treatments for his addictions. Rick complies and mentions a certain Dr. Bruce Banner. The super fan that thinks Dazzler’s song was written for him! We cut to his lab again in real time to find Dazzler strapped in, but an ominous figure is coming into the hallway. Then we finish off with a Carnaged version of Em Jay.
From “The Web”
Easy and quick read, this issue is a perfect filler issue for me. We finally get the official confirmation that it’s Bruce Banner. Melissa was smart, too. A little thing I like is that the girls were snagged in LA. So, it’s a quick hop over to what we would assume is Vista Verde in New Mexico.
Dazzler does more than sparkle!!! Seeing her use her powers for more than a light show was refreshing, and knowing their hard light now gives me an idea that they will come back to do some smashing of their own.
With Carnage-EM on scene is a great call back to Carnage Queen from the Ultimate Spiderman Animated series. I believe this is the first time we’ve seen her on the page.
Ok, so “Vista Verde” as Bruce’s Lab and Carnage-EM makes me wonder if Melissa watched a lot of Disney XD a decade ago.
Spider-Gwen: Smash #3 is a 7.75 out of 10
The record spin we are seeing on Earth-65 is a refreshing twist. I’m so used to seeing 616 Bruce Banner, so getting to know this Stalker Banner is interesting, to say the least. Now, this series is called Smash. So my next question is, what will the next arc be called once we resolve this storyline?
So, what are your thoughts about Spider Gwen: Smash so far? What are your theories? Who are you excited to see in this Earth-65 lens? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and please consider following me personally at OFF THE CUFF TOM on social media. Don’t forget to support your LCS and THWHIP back to the Nerd Initiative for all your New Comic Reviews.
