Radioactive Spider-Gwen #4 Review

Writer: Jason Latour / Artist: Robbi Rodriguez / Marvel Comics Well that was fun. After the build-up from issue #3 warned of the impending clash between Spider-Gwen and Green Goblin, issue #4 went straight past “Go,” collected $200, and dove headfirst into a street fight. And while the fight is between Spider-Gwen and Green Goblin on the surface, the more nuanced conflict is between Gwen Stacy, who knows Goblin’s identity, and Harry Osborne, who has no idea he’s trying to kill one of his closest friends. And even deeper under that surface, the fight is between Gwen and her conscience as she replays the death of their friend Peter Parker – the death that brought them here – and how she did so many things wrong. If you’re looking for action, this issue is for you because it’s literally one big action scene. It’s spliced with Gwen’s inner dialogue offering insight into this fight that she doesn’t really want, the regret of how things played out with Peter, and how much she’s plagued by guilt that her pride, hubris, and look-at-me-I’m-a-superhero type of fun was so stupid and caused so much damage.

Although it’s obviously a deeper, more introspective issue, Spider-Gwen keeps her typical behind-the-mask humor throughout the fight, singing TV theme songs and making quips, more to herself than to taunt her friend Harry who is obviously hurting and trying to kill her for righteous revenge. And, as standard, the comedy serves to keep the issue lighthearted and Gwen endearing, althoug…