Drum Roll Please!
Edge of the Spider Verse is a Marvel event that pretty much comes down to: what if? I enjoy these types of stories because you get to see writers and artists go off the deep end and explore characters that seem to be set in stone. Every once in a while an idea happens that seems to stick, such as Spider-Man 2099, and I feel like this is one such occasion. What if it wasn't Peter Parker that was bit by the radioactive spider that fateful ... let's say Tuesday, but rather Gwen Stacy?
We setup what life would have been like for Gwen in one splash page. We see Gwen try to cash in on her powers by going on TV, then when Peter attempts to gain powers like Gwen, he becomes the Lizard, and during a tragic fight causes Peter's death, she learns that with great power, comes great responsibility. The core of the character stays intact, and it fits so well, I'm shocked this is the first time it's been done. Gwen was just as smart as Peter and was interning at the very place the accident happened. I am also incredibly impressed by how fast the characters personality is developed. Not a single panel is wasted, and tells the reader something about who Gwen is as a person and as a hero. I also laughed that Gwen is the drummer in a rock band called The Mary Jane's with guess who as the lead singer. What can I say? I'm a rock guy and it makes me happy.
The art and colors on this book are just fantastic. Artist Robbi Rodriguez and colorist Rico Renzi just made one of my favorite books of the past few months and a large part of that is due to the art. There is a saying about good writing in movies and I feel it applies to comics as well , and that is "Don't tell the audience what to feel, show them." The reader is not bogged down with paragraphs of inner monologue that tell the reader what is going on, but rather shows the frustration's that Gwen is going through. While telling the story visually, the art also feels energetic and colorful, making the whole issue a fun experience. The use of white in the costume is amazing and makes the character pop off the page.
Did I mention the costume design kicks ass? Because it damn sure does! This is only a one shot issue, but I have a feeling fans, like myself, will be crying for more of this character, and this creative team. Full disclosure, I recently dropped the Amazing Spider-Man off my list of comics. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine book, but Marvel has just been telling way better stories with new characters such as Ms. Marvel. If Marvel announced tomorrow, that Gwen Stacy was going to have her own book as Spider-Woman, I would break into my comic shop and add it to my comic list right away! I would then write a heartfelt apology for the broken window and cover it with duck tape... I'm not made of money...
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