SPIDER-GIRL #43

By: Arnold T. Blumberg
Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2002

The problem with May Parker - AKA Spider-Girl - is that unlike her father, who began his crime-fighting career with a heavy burden of guilt and the knowledge that life, basically, sucks, May has no such burden to serve as a foundation. While it's true that many heroes begin their careers with no such trauma, it's telling that where Peter Parker always maintained an exceptionally cynical view of the world, one that saw him through countless hardships over the years, May Parker is making plenty of mistakes because she's just too damn trusting. She's a starry-eyed idealist in many ways, and her good heart and strong belief in the basic goodness of all human beings has led her to rehabilitate former arch-foe Normy Osborn, but it's also brought her to a crossroads. This time, she may regret her naivete, and who knows what tragedy may await her? Perhaps in a little while, she may share her father's deeper motivation. But for that revelation, should it ever come, we'll have to wait.

SPIDER-GIRL was saved from cancellation by fervent prayers and letters from fans who begged Marvel to preserve this fun-loving, well-scripted series and its vibrant female star. Luckily, for once in a big corporation's existence, they heard the cries of their loyal consumers, and SPIDER-GIRL goes on. Thank God for that. I recently noted that DC's SUPERGIRL is an unsung shining star in the superhero firmament these days, and Marvel has an equivalent in SPIDER-GIRL. Featuring a heroine who is a true role model for young female readers, balancing the demands of her post-adolescent existence with the duties of a crime-busting arachnid adventurer, the series boasts some solid artwork and steady hands at the helm. While so many other superhero series desperately try to grab new readers by ?innovating,? splashing computer coloring everywhere or distorting their characters beyond all reason with flashy art or surreal scripts, SPIDER-GIRL stands as a monument to a certain serene perfection in superhero storytelling. In fact, it's almost a time capsule of Marvel heroing the Stan Lee way. It's a series about a young hero with human frailties, feelings, and family, and it mixes action-packed excitement with some well-developed character moments. What more could anyone ask?


This most recent story arc follows a growing underworld war - something May's dad had to contend with every few issues or so - and Spider-Girl's attempts to unite a group of independent heroes into a fighting unit. Unfortunately, her efforts aren't working out too well, and before it's over the team will disband, one hero will hang up his webs, and a villain will go free because May lets her walk. Will this decision come back to haunt her? Of course it will - she's a Parker, isn't she?

SPIDER-GIRL

Grade: A

Issue: No. 43

Authors: Tom DeFalco, Pat Olliffe, Al Williamson

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: $2.25