New York Comic Con is underway and one of Marvel's big announcements is the upcoming SPIDER-WOMEN story. We've seen Jessica Drew, Gwen Stacy, and Cindy Moon interact and form a friendship during the recent Spider-Verse arc. Now they're back together. Something happens and Jessica and Cindy get stuck in Spider-Gwen's world. We can expect some big adventures will be following.
To find out more, we talked to Dennis Hopeless, Jason Latour, and Robbie Thompson about the story and what makes each of their Spider-Women different.
COMIC VINE: This seems like such a natural event. When did plans start forming for it all?
ROBBIE THOMPSON: Last year, Editor Nick Lowe mentioned something about doing a crossover event with Spider-Woman, Spider-Gwen, and Silk on a phone call. It sounded like a great way to shine a light on these characters and let them find new ways to connect.
DENNIS HOPELESS: Yeah, I think it was on the board pretty early. Fan response to these books has been amazing and it made a lot of sense to cross them over. I’m a big fan of what Jason and Robbie have been doing and loved writing Silk and Gwen in our Spider-Verse issues, so I was onboard from the start.
JASON LATOUR: The seeds of it definitely began in Dennis’s initial SPIDER-WOMAN issues. I think he saw something in putting the three of them together that was pretty astute. If we’d set out to create three characters that reflect each other this naturally I think it would have been hard to do a better job. As a result the three of us and our editors just seemed to gravitate towards wanting to see more of them together.
CV: What sort of threat will they deal with or who will they have to face?
JASON: Let’s just say that the Earth 65 incarnations of Jessica and Cindy are not easy to deal with on any level. There very existence is one thing but their motivations will really challenge all of these characters to explore themselves in ways they haven’t prior
DENNIS: Lies all lies. Our villain is Spider-Ham. You don’t find that out until later in the game. Hate to spoil the ending, but yeah, it was the pig all along.
CV: Will there be a lighter tone to the story or will things get dark or dangerous? Will they have downtime or head straight into the action?
ROBBIE: You’ll see lighter character moments as the three characters bond, but this event is a big old, cross dimensional ripping yarn, so there’s going to be of action from the jump. That said: there will be brunch.
JASON: We’re definitely aiming for a mix. If you look at all three of these books I think one of the selling points is just how much personality they have. We’re looking to up the stakes dramatically without losing the quirks and insights that make these books themselves.
CV: What is your favorite thing about your particular Spider-Woman?
DENNIS: Jess’s impatient exasperation is a joy to write. She’s a very human hero who spends a lot of time in her own way. Usually because she got antsy and decided it was time to do the damned thing. Jess is a master spy and veteran Avenger. She could absolutely plan and execute any job, accounting for all contingencies. But who has the time for all that?
ROBBIE: I love that Cindy Moon, despite what’s happened to her, never gives up. She can be awkward, not sure how to act around others and can jump before she thinks -- but at the end of the day, she’s still moving forward, still trying to make up for lost time.
JASON: I love how Gwen doesn’t back down from adversity, her life is really pretty crummy on a lot of levels if you look at it from a plot perspective. But she keeps putting on that suit to try and do something with it. She’s not always getting it right, in fact she gets things wrong a lot. But she knows she has to keep going. I think that’s what makes her admirable.
Plus she’s a smart mouth in the mask. So much more… let’s say meaner, even than Spider-man. Which is right up my alley.
CV: With so much spider-greatness, can we assume Spider-Man won’t be brought into the story?
JASON: I think you just said it all. The ladies got this.
DENNIS: Bagh. Who needs him?
CV: Have you guys ever discussed which Spider-Woman is the best?
ROBBIE: I’d have to go with Spider-Woman. She’s the only true grown up of the bunch, the most experienced, and she’s lived an amazing life. Plus her costume rocks.
DENNIS: We don’t have to discuss it because it’s obvious. Jessica Drew by a country mile.
JASON: Um… Beyonce?
We'll have to read SPIDER-WOMEN to find out whether or not Spider-Beyonce fits into the story. You can expect the fun to begin in Spring 2016. Be sure to check out the upcoming SPIDER-WOMAN, SPIDER-GWEN, and SILK series returning very soon.