Spider-Woman #49 (Marvel)
Anne Nocenti (w) Brian Postman (a)
One of my favourite characters used to be Spider-Woman who unlike today's multitude of clones and copies has nothing to do with Peter Parker. In fact Jessica Drew started life as a sort-of "brainwashed" and misused assassin for Hydra (Hail Hydra!).
Her powers given to her by science Jessica was raised up by Hydra agents she was fooled into believing she was fighting on the side of good until she realised the truth and turned against the Hydra cell that was her home and eventually became a hero in her own right.
This was part of an attempt by Stan lee and Marvel to create a female lead character like the long running Wonder Woman from their rivals DC. Ms Marvel was one attempt. She-Hulk (Bruce banners cousin) and Spider-Woman another.
Spider-Woman lasted 50 issues I did read a lot of the early one's when they came out and subsequently decided to get replacements in the form of Marvel's huge "Essential" volumes. Out of print now but worth picking up even if they are in black & white.
In this, the penultimate issue of her first and frankly best series Jessica comes across Tigra (a were-cat) after an adventure with a Were-Wolf (Marvels misshapen version of the tormented monster) and has the inevitable misunderstanding over a youth who's powers are somewhat dangerous to those around him. Not a villain the pair eventually compromise and Tigra takes the boy for help.
In this issue Jessica reveals her secret to the boyfriend. Might pick up the next issue to see the outcome.
My enjoyment with Jessica was spoilt by the stupidity of Marvel to reveal that for a long time I'd been reading the adventures of an alien shape-changer during the Secret Invasion crossover a few years back. A number of heroes had in fact been replaced by Skrulls. I was so annoyed I stopped buying Marvel comics for a long time and only returned to the Fantastic Four until that series was cancelled.
These comics from the late seventies and early eighties are well worth a read.
No comments:
Post a Comment