Spider-Woman has not had an easy life. She's had a varied past. There's been some different explanations to her origin. Was the High Evolutionary involved or not? Then there was the business with being abducted by the Skrulls and replaced. She was part of HYDRA and then she wasn't. She was a spy, a double agent, a triple agent, and then an Avenger. Even her latest series immediately jumped right into the Spider-Verse storyline.
All that is about to change. Jessica Drew has had enough and is ready to make some changes.
In SPIDER-WOMAN #4, it was almost ironic the way things happened. On her way to talk to Steve Rogers with Carol Danvers, things got a little crazy at Avengers Tower. There was a bit of an attack and it just reinforced Jessica's decision--she wants to quit the Avengers.
Along with her crazy past, since she returned from being kept prisoner with the Skrulls, she hasn't really had a moment of peace. Shortly after she became an agent of S.W.O.R.D. to hunt down other Skrulls hiding on Earth and with the Avengers, it's always one disaster after another.
Jessica Drew may be a fictional character but as we read, we do sometimes think of them as people. With everything she's gone through, why wouldn't she deserve a break? She needs to step away from the Avengers lifestyle for a bit. Let her get some time to be a "normal person" some of the time. When was the last time she actually used a secret identity? When was the last time she actually had a supporting cast of characters besides the Avengers?
In next month's SPIDER-WOMAN #5, we know she's getting a new costume. This is the perfect time to reinvent herself (and would have been a better way to actually start off this current series). With a new costume, she'll have the ability to blend in more among "regular people" without trying to hide her costume under a trench coat.
With her new direction, she will try to take on more "street-level threats" in New York City. That's another thing we don't see too much of these days. In the Marvel Universe, things have escalated almost everywhere. There's always a big crisis happening, often they're cosmic-related. Let's see Jessica take it "to the streets" and the fact that Ben Urich is going to be appearing is pretty fantastic.
What about her new look? We've seen shown off last December.
It's a pretty big change from her current costume. As classic as that costume was, this new one will serve the purpose of being practical as street ware and as a superhero costume. (It's also been mentioned the glasses can adhere to the face so they don't fall off and she'll have her web wings hidden in the back).
Having been around since 1977, Jessica is a long established part of the Marvel Universe. It's time she's allowed to step up and not be forced into the shadows of others. Dennis Hopeless will continue writing the series, bringing about the changes to her life. Javier Rodriguez is coming on board as the artist.
What will the next issue bring? Who will she take on? That's part of the excitement. It's unfortunate that this current series didn't get a chance to really stand on it's own.
There was some that weren't sure about the new costume. It's still a matter of actually seeing it in action. Next issue will be an exciting time for Spider-Woman fans.
If you watched our 3-Minute Expert video on Spider-Woman, you know life hasn't been easy.
Let us know what you think about the new direction and costume. Are you excited, indifferent, or sad to see change about to occur?