Spider-Women Alpha #1 Review

Writer: Robbie Thompson / Artist: Vanesa R. Del Rey / Marvel Comics And so it begins, the 3-series crossover between Spider-Woman, Spider-Gwen, and Silk! We’ve seen quite a few crossovers lately – some well done, like Supergirl and the Flash, others not so much, like Batman v Superman – so the inherent assumption of team-ups being “good” has long worn off for most fans of superhero comics, TV shows, and movies, leaving us to judge these events for what they really are. Strip the crossover appeal away and you have something that’s engaging or unnecessary; written well or poorly; more fun or more boring. In the case of Spider-Women Alpha, the title’s launch unfortunately leans closer to the latter. Needing to get out of her house and away from her newborn, Jessica Drew makes plans with Gwen Stacy and Cindy Moon to go out for brunch. She needs time with grown-ups, as she lovingly explains at her friends’ arrival, “You two geniuses will have to do until actual adults arrive.” And just like that, right off the jump, it sums up an entire issue of fairly awkward reading.

It’s the single most uncomfortable element of Spider-Women Alpha: that is, watching 3 people who really don’t want to be with each other. Jessica, Gwen, and Cindy share the affection of unwilling acquaintances trapped in an elevator together, minus the chemistry you would expect from such a sitcom episode. With very little wit and a whole lot of snide comments, it can feel like riding the A train during rush hour w…