Spider-Woman #5 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Karla Pacheco, art by Pere Pérez, colors by Frank D’armata, and letters by Travis Lanham. The last issue was a roller coaster for poor Jessica. Finding out she had been purposefully exposed to a dangerous disease, by those who turned out to be her family no less would’ve been rough enough. But then to have that revelation interrupted by the return of Octavia Vermis, who she thought she had killed just added fuel to the fire. Then to top it all off, her newly discovered mother throws her in front of a bullet. It was a lot. And the hits aren’t stopping yet for this spider lady.
Spider-Woman #5 picks up immediately after the last issue and doesn’t let off the gas for most of the comic. With Jess quickly finding herself in the middle of a three-way melee, it takes every scrap of focus and strength she has just to keep up. Pacheco’s writing does a solid job of delivering Jessica’s full range of emotions. As she is flung from shock to confusion, and eventually outright rage, Pacheco keeps the dialogue flowing naturally. This is also true for the other star of this issue, Jessica’s mom.
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As the issue spirals out of control, Jessica’s mom quickly reveals who, and what, she really is. Her personality starts off with an intensity that is already white-hot and just goes up from there. And while Pacheco does a great job writing all this emotion, it is in the art that the energy of this story truly lands.
The meat of Spider-Woman #5 is filled with anger, violence, and spite. And the art delivers every hit for all it’s worth. Pérez utilizes every panel to capture each pivotal moment in the conflict’s flow. The art is always putting the reader right up close with every jaw shattering blow. It is truly a throw down that sticks with you.
The art’s delivery is further elevated by D’armata’s colors. Every panel is awash in vibrant colors that enhance the emotional depth of its story. This emotional emphasis is also further enhanced with the application of lighting in many of the panels. The lighting is always coming from just the right angle to create the desired visual effect. It’s amazing work all around.
Lastly, we have Lanham’s lettering work. Lanham does a great job of giving the emotion of the story that final visual thrust. With excellent use of larger and bolder lettering for the many more pronounced statements that get made throughout the story, the words always convey the right amount of force.
Once the battle is over, Spider-Woman #5 wraps up with a few short moments showing Jessica as she struggles to come to terms with what her next move needs to be and whether she will have to face it alone. Where this issue finally leaves off has my anticipation for next month’s story maxed out. A new direction is being laid out for Spider-Woman, and it looks like it’s only going up from here.
Spider-Woman #5 is available on October 21st wherever comics are sold.
Spider-Woman #5
TL;DR
Once the battle is over, Spider-Woman #5 wraps up with a few short moments showing Jessica as she struggles to come to terms with what her next move needs to be and whether she will have to face it alone. Where this issue finally leaves off has my anticipation for next month’s story maxed out.
