REVIEW: ‘Spider-Woman,’ Issue #13

Spider-Woman #13 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Karla Pacheco, with art by Pere Pérez, colors by Frank D’armata, and letters by Travis Lanham. With Roger leaving at the end of the last issue, Jessica has to adapt to a new normal once again. But what she doesn’t need right now is a random goon breaking into her house to steal files she got from the High Evolutionary. Especially during Gerry’s nap time!

Sometimes comic books give us stories of heroes as they face down world-threatening evils and are forced to make traumatic choices of life and death. Other times, we see those same heroes go upside a villain’s head with her son’s stroller(the child was not in it at the time) as she pummels her enemy with a barrage of puny one-liners across New York City and parts of Jersey. And while the former style of story is often the one that readers remember and talk about, the latter is just as precious. After all, sometimes, comics can just be fun.

Spider-Woman #13 takes a break from the emotional roller coaster that was Jessica’s race to cure the disease that was killing her, as well as the aforementioned departure of her long-time boyfriend Roger, to give Jessica the chance to get a little exercise and stretch her comedic muscles. And despite what some villains in this story will tell you, her joke-cracking skills are on par with any other arachnid-inspired superheroes from the New York Metropolitan area.

Writer Pacheco delivers this script with skill, style, and a true sense of fun. The energy that permeates this issue’s running slugfest brings with it more enjoyment than I’ve had reading a comic in a long time. While I love a dark, emotionally gripping story, sometimes you just need to laugh. And while these laughs were unexpected, they were certainly welcome.

While the running fistfight and humor take center stage throughout Spider-Woman #13, it is easy to overlook the skill it takes to weave such a narrative. As Jessica battles, her opponent the scenery is ever-changing. Pacheco guides the brawl from place to place, utilizing each location in creative ways to facilitate the fight, the humor, or both. Going back through the book, seeing all the different locales and situations that pass through the panels is dizzying.

The art delivers all the hectic commotion of the story wonderfully. Artist Pérez manages to balance all of the story’s elements while delivering them in layouts that are often as creative as the tale they bring to life. Even with all the changing scenery, the story’s presentation never loses track of its star or her mounting frustration at the stubbornness of her foe. Pérez brings Jessica’s larger-than-life personality to the reader brilliantly.

Further enhancing the story’s visuals are D’armata’s colors. Every scene is delivered with colors, tones, and lighting that feel fitting for the location it occurs in.

Wrapping up the presentation is Lanham’s letters. From the first page of Spider-Woman #13, Lanham delivers all the sounds of the story with eye-catching effects while placing all the dialogue right where it needs to be.

When all is said and done, Spider-Woman #13 delivers a fun, joke-filled romp that delivers wonderful energy that I never realized I needed but am grateful I experienced.

Spider-Woman #13 is available now wherever comics are sold.