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Comics : Spider-Woman (Vol.3) #8

Background...

Where we left off, the new Spider-Woman has had some weak victories against Shadowcaster and Flesh & Bones. She is now restless in wanting to understand her foes and powers better. Bored, she used her awesome powers to... track down an alien spaceship?

In Detail...

"War and Pieces"
Spider-Woman (Vol.3) #8
Editor:  Ralph Macchio
Writer:  John Byrne
Pencils:  Graham Nolan
Inker:  Randy Elliott
Staff Only
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Feb 2000 : SM Spin-Off : Spider-Woman (Vol.3)
 Reprinted In: Spider-Man Universe #1
Characters: Madame Web, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Spider-Woman (Mattie Franklin)

While Jessica climbs her way into the mother ship, Spider-Woman fights the cluster creatures within. Now, the clusters aren't splitting but fusing into a single monster. One cluster turns into a copy of Spider-Woman and replies crypiclly, "Why you fight? Win you not."

Mattie begins to figure out that the clusters are relaly just mindless puppets in the form of creatures that the aliens have encounters in their conquests. She blasts a bunch of alien or alien skins hanging from the ceiling with her borrowed spider-arms, and the clusters lose their animation. The ship starts to fall apart, so Mattie flies away with Jessica. Somehow, she figures out that the human race just "failed" a test by the aliens to see if the human race was weak and ready to be conquered.

Meanwhile, after Charlotte's power begins to return, she wakes from her unconsciousness. Mattie and Jessica return home to find Madam Web is on the floor, old again.

In General...

What the series needed here was characterization and a direction. What we have just been given in this latest two-part arc is a couple of issues of meaningless adventure. Do we learn more about Mattie's powers? Do we see Jessica's relationship develop? Does Mattie become more of a character to care about? Nope. Just pointless adventure. Fine, if that's what you're looking for, but I won't look back at this issue in 10 years..or even a year with any fondness. It's filler. Bad filler.

Overall Rating...

I'll keep reading Spider-Woman for now,in hope of a series direction, but I'm losing my patience. Single web.

By Mike Fichera (E-Mail)

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