Written by Dennis Hopeless
Art by Javier Rodriguez; Alvaro Lopez; Muntsa Vicente; Natacha Bustos; Vero Gandini; & VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Art by Javier Rodriguez
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics in 2016, this 136-page trade paperback assembles Spider-Woman # 5-10 of the same year. Having quit the Avengers several weeks before, a down-on-her-luck Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman has garnered at best middling results returning to solo action. From her perspective, the independence of a fresh start means sporting a new costume and a hot motorcycle.
Reluctantly taking a missing-persons case from veteran “Daily Bugle” reporter Ben Urich, Jessica traces a bizarre extortion case targeting D-list super-villain husbands and dads. With Ben and the dim-witted villain Porcupine’s help, an undercover Jessica’s investigation leads to a quaint little town with some dark secrets.
Taking her private detective gig on a cross-country road trip, Jessica brings Ben and dopey Roger (aka the Porcupine) along for the ride. After a brief montage of a few prior stops, Spider-Woman encounters a mass zombie-style mind control scheme brewing in Dodge City, Kansas. Jessica’s obstacles involve a meat-packing plant skirmish and even gamma-irradiated, Hulk-like cows.
Interspersed with the Dodge City mystery, a new multi-dimensional crisis threatening Earth forces Black Widow to track down an uncooperative Spider-Woman for help.
Notes: The first leg of this particular series is Spider-Woman, Volume 1: Spider-Verse. There isn’t a Volume 3, as Marvel opted to restart the series again with another Volume 1 (it starts Jessica’s maternal ‘Shifting Gears’ phase).
REVIEW:
It’s apt to describe New Duds as underwhelming, but writer Dennis Hopeless still infuses Jessica Drew’s relatable world with a likable action-comedy mix. Whether it is Spider-Woman’s endearing personality or the inclusion of Porcupine as a dubious tag team partner, New Duds knows best not to take itself too seriously (i.e. the Hulk-cows).
With Spider-Woman’s civilian identity no longer secret, Hopeless takes a smart tack re: Jessica shrugging off her lack of anonymity with characteristic nonchalance. Ben Urich’s role also gifts Jessica with a reliable Commissioner Gordon/Alfred/Dr. Watson-like consultant to balance the Porcupine’s goofy comedy relief. Even if this book’s storylines are middling, the Jessica-Urich-Roger/Porcupine chemistry still makes a refreshing asset.
The book’s visuals aren’t high-caliber, but the art team’s upbeat, tongue-in-cheek approach works just fine for New Duds. While New Duds isn’t necessarily a keeper, it still offers a decent read (for teens and up). What’s more intriguing is whether or not perennial Spider-Woman fans would agree that Jessica’s new creative direction is even necessary.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The covers and three Issue # 5 variants are included in a full-page format. The variant artists are Kris Anka (two covers) and Siya Qum (one cover).
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
Note: A Marvel Legends action figure has since been released with Jessica Drew’s new Spider-duds (as glimpsed below).
