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Spider-Woman: Shifting Gears
Spider-Woman: Shifting Gears, Vol. 1: Baby Talk
Collects Spider-Woman (2015) #1-5 and material from Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #1.
Jessica Drew is a private investigator, a super hero and...a mom-to-be? Since we saw her last, Spider-Woman's got a whole new responsibility — now she's adventuring for two! Ben Urich and Porcupine are still along for the ride — in fact, they won't even let Jess leave the car half the time! How's a gal supposed to save the day when her friends are being all overprotective? Jess will soon find herself in over her head when she's held captive by Skrulls...in an alien hospital...in the center of a black hole...with a bunch of pregnant extraterrestrials! Her baby is on its way, and expectations won't be disappointed in the mother of all Spider-stories!
Jessica Drew is a private investigator, a super hero and...a mom-to-be? Since we saw her last, Spider-Woman's got a whole new responsibility — now she's adventuring for two! Ben Urich and Porcupine are still along for the ride — in fact, they won't even let Jess leave the car half the time! How's a gal supposed to save the day when her friends are being all overprotective? Jess will soon find herself in over her head when she's held captive by Skrulls...in an alien hospital...in the center of a black hole...with a bunch of pregnant extraterrestrials! Her baby is on its way, and expectations won't be disappointed in the mother of all Spider-stories!
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2016
24 people are currently reading
1094 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Hopeless
528 books118 followersDennis "Hopeless" Hallum is an American comics writer from Kansas City, Missouri who has written for Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Boom! Studios, Arcana Studio, and Oni Press.
See also under Dennis Hallum
See also under Dennis Hallum
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
November 22, 2022
Single mother, private investigator and spider woman, Jessica Drew's soap opera style season five really works well, balancing pregnancy(!) and crime fighting! Also my fave ever book by Dennis not so Hopeless. A great read with a surprising twist in the end of the series! I read the Marvel Comic books Spider-Woman season 5 #1-17; Spider Women Alpha; Spider Women Omega. I read the Marvel Comic books Spider-Woman season 5 #1-17; Spider Women Alpha; Spider Women Omega. A very solid Three Star, 7 out of 12 from me.
2017 read
2017 read
December 19, 2016
I freaking loved this graphic novel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First off, I thought the graphics in this book were amazing! And now I need the next one!
Soooo, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) is preggers! And it's so awesome, so freaking awesome! Okay, I need to quit saying that but I had so much fun with this book. I laughed and I loved the bad arse pregnant super hero. Now, on with the show!
Carol (Captain Marvel) has been trying get get Jess to go to the Intergalactic Hospital on her dollar so Jess can get checked out nice and proper. Well of course on the day Jess decides to go for a visit, the hospital gets attacked by Skrulls. They are there to get someone. And Jess wants to take them out but she's trying to hold off because of the whole pregnant thing.
Well that didn't work out. She just pretends she's going into labor and then kicks butt! Wahoo!
Jess is on the phone on and off with Carol but Carol can't get in because the Skrulls have blocked the passage so to speak and there are more coming. Yay! Not
So basically Jess gets the kid prince those Skrulls are after, ends up having to have a c-section, has baby, gets fixed up quick, kicks those evil butts and then wakes up a little later in the hospital bed all rested with a bouncing baby boy =) The end! Lol, there is a lot more to it than that but that's the basic what's it.
I think I already mentioned how awesome this book was and that I want more! Spider-Woman is bad to the bone!
Also, I need to see if they have a Funko Pop of her to go with my MASSIVE collection of F Pops of all kinds of people and things. :-D
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
First off, I thought the graphics in this book were amazing! And now I need the next one!
Soooo, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) is preggers! And it's so awesome, so freaking awesome! Okay, I need to quit saying that but I had so much fun with this book. I laughed and I loved the bad arse pregnant super hero. Now, on with the show!
Carol (Captain Marvel) has been trying get get Jess to go to the Intergalactic Hospital on her dollar so Jess can get checked out nice and proper. Well of course on the day Jess decides to go for a visit, the hospital gets attacked by Skrulls. They are there to get someone. And Jess wants to take them out but she's trying to hold off because of the whole pregnant thing.
Well that didn't work out. She just pretends she's going into labor and then kicks butt! Wahoo!
Jess is on the phone on and off with Carol but Carol can't get in because the Skrulls have blocked the passage so to speak and there are more coming. Yay! Not
So basically Jess gets the kid prince those Skrulls are after, ends up having to have a c-section, has baby, gets fixed up quick, kicks those evil butts and then wakes up a little later in the hospital bed all rested with a bouncing baby boy =) The end! Lol, there is a lot more to it than that but that's the basic what's it.
I think I already mentioned how awesome this book was and that I want more! Spider-Woman is bad to the bone!
Also, I need to see if they have a Funko Pop of her to go with my MASSIVE collection of F Pops of all kinds of people and things. :-D
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
October 17, 2016
What to expect when you’re expecting: A superheroine’s guide.
This one’s for all the Goodreads moms and moms-to-be.
1) Try to eliminate as much stress as possible.
2) You’ll have to give up certain things
3) It’s acceptable to not let people touch your tummy. It’s your body.
4) Exercise in moderation is okay
5) Friends bearing gifts are your best friends
6) Be sure to keep your scheduled physician appointments
7) If you can’t find a real sitter, then an ex-villain named Porcupine will do in a pinch, so no worries.
8) Don’t sweat the small stuff
9) In the course of battle, don’t strain yourself, weaponize anything
10) Two minutes after delivery may be too soon to go back to work
11) Babies are a blessing and a bundle of joy
12) For single moms, be careful about jumping back into the dating scene.
Bottom line: Thankfully, this title hit the ground running after Secret Wars and doesn’t miss a beat – same creative team and they’re pretty much picking up where they left off - they just added the pregnancy thing. In the running for best Spider-Woman run ever.
DAWWW!
This one’s for all the Goodreads moms and moms-to-be.
1) Try to eliminate as much stress as possible.
2) You’ll have to give up certain things
3) It’s acceptable to not let people touch your tummy. It’s your body.
4) Exercise in moderation is okay
5) Friends bearing gifts are your best friends
6) Be sure to keep your scheduled physician appointments
7) If you can’t find a real sitter, then an ex-villain named Porcupine will do in a pinch, so no worries.
8) Don’t sweat the small stuff
9) In the course of battle, don’t strain yourself, weaponize anything
10) Two minutes after delivery may be too soon to go back to work
11) Babies are a blessing and a bundle of joy
12) For single moms, be careful about jumping back into the dating scene.
Bottom line: Thankfully, this title hit the ground running after Secret Wars and doesn’t miss a beat – same creative team and they’re pretty much picking up where they left off - they just added the pregnancy thing. In the running for best Spider-Woman run ever.
DAWWW!
October 31, 2016
Dennis Hopeless rocked this!
And from what I'm seeing, not many post Secret Wars titles can claim that honor.
I've heard so many complaints about the Mehness of things that I'm actually kinda scared to pick up anything with the words All-New on the cover. But while Marvel (in general) seems to be disappointing some of its fans when it comes to the bigger titles, some of the lesser known characters (like Jessica & The Vision) are shining.
Don't get get your fallopian tubes in a knot, people! I'm calling them Lesser Known because my husband (non-geek) wouldn't recognize their names.
Anyway.
I thought this was a really fun & funny look at not only a superhero pregnancy, but any first pregnancy. And all the awful emotions that go with it...
I can totally relate to not wanting a baby.
Because they're small, horrible, annoying, and smell oddly like something sweet that has perhaps spoiled in the sun.
And then you have one anyway, and it tears your heart out and won't give it back.
And once you bring 'em home? <--Ack!
Between the hormones, & emotions, & not sleeping, & 4 bjillion times I thought I'd accidentally done something that would lead to my baby's untimely death?!
Pffft. Believe me, I could wipe my ass with Freddy Krueger's nightmares by the end of that last year.
And while this comic brought back all of those hilarious emotions {insert insane cackling here}, it also (and more importantly) told a great story at the same time.
Skrulls!
Love 'em! And with Jessica's past, it's always fun to see her take them down.
It also made me want to go back and re-read Secret Invasion.
If you're looking for a jumping off point for this character, you could start here.
If you want to know a bit more about her, I'd recommend these:
Spider-Woman: Origin
Spider-Woman, Volume 1: Spider-Verse
Spider-Woman, Volume 2: New Duds
And from what I'm seeing, not many post Secret Wars titles can claim that honor.
I've heard so many complaints about the Mehness of things that I'm actually kinda scared to pick up anything with the words All-New on the cover. But while Marvel (in general) seems to be disappointing some of its fans when it comes to the bigger titles, some of the lesser known characters (like Jessica & The Vision) are shining.
Don't get get your fallopian tubes in a knot, people! I'm calling them Lesser Known because my husband (non-geek) wouldn't recognize their names.
Anyway.
I thought this was a really fun & funny look at not only a superhero pregnancy, but any first pregnancy. And all the awful emotions that go with it...
I can totally relate to not wanting a baby.
Because they're small, horrible, annoying, and smell oddly like something sweet that has perhaps spoiled in the sun.
And then you have one anyway, and it tears your heart out and won't give it back.
And once you bring 'em home? <--Ack!
Between the hormones, & emotions, & not sleeping, & 4 bjillion times I thought I'd accidentally done something that would lead to my baby's untimely death?!
Pffft. Believe me, I could wipe my ass with Freddy Krueger's nightmares by the end of that last year.
And while this comic brought back all of those hilarious emotions {insert insane cackling here}, it also (and more importantly) told a great story at the same time.
Skrulls!
Love 'em! And with Jessica's past, it's always fun to see her take them down.
It also made me want to go back and re-read Secret Invasion.
If you're looking for a jumping off point for this character, you could start here.
If you want to know a bit more about her, I'd recommend these:
Spider-Woman: Origin
Spider-Woman, Volume 1: Spider-Verse
Spider-Woman, Volume 2: New Duds
September 20, 2016
Great, great, great stuff. I absolutely loved this book and have never read a superhero comicbook like it in over three decades of reading comics. With my personal history, it made for painful reading at times and at one point I had to stop and have a cry but I came back because it was just that good.
Highly recommended for the superhero fan who wants something different.
Highly recommended for the superhero fan who wants something different.
November 7, 2016
Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman is knocked up hard and about to pop - but oh no, her OBGYN has been taken over by Skrulls (shape-shifting space goblins)! Superhero comics, eh?
Preggo Spider-Woman is an ok comic but I didn’t love it. Why is her maternity hospital in a black hole - is that really the ideal location to be birthing babies? And Skrulls? It all felt so contrived, like Jess can’t just have her baby, she’s also gotta be kicking butt because she’s a superhero. I wasn’t into the forced and silly action.
I was hoping we’d find out who the dad is but it looks like Marvel’s gonna keep teasing that indefinitely - it’s only sorta revealed a bit here. I will say though that Jess seeing her kid for the first time was a sweet moment - but how could it not be, right?
I really enjoyed Javier Rodriguez’s art. From the visuals alone it seems like Marvel is turning Spider-Woman into the replacement for Matt Fraction/David Aja’s Hawkeye, aka the arty Marvel book. Jess’s night out is full of speech balloons of symbols only and the splash pages of Jess traversing the alien hospital undetected were really clever. I also liked how Rodriguez cuts down on the panelling by putting the character into multiple positions in a scene instead to make the story flow more naturally, which worked really well.
Artwork aside, I wasn’t that taken with Dennis Hopeless’ script. Maybe it’s because I’m not a parent or even that interested in kids or having them - Jess’ monologue on the realities of parenting was so drearily unoriginal - and I’m not a big fan of the character either but Spider-Woman having a baby didn’t do much for me. Marvel fans who are parents or people who’re the opposite of me on the above will probably get more out of this one though.
I know, I’m a heartless beast, children are our future, yadda yadda ya… !
Preggo Spider-Woman is an ok comic but I didn’t love it. Why is her maternity hospital in a black hole - is that really the ideal location to be birthing babies? And Skrulls? It all felt so contrived, like Jess can’t just have her baby, she’s also gotta be kicking butt because she’s a superhero. I wasn’t into the forced and silly action.
I was hoping we’d find out who the dad is but it looks like Marvel’s gonna keep teasing that indefinitely - it’s only sorta revealed a bit here. I will say though that Jess seeing her kid for the first time was a sweet moment - but how could it not be, right?
I really enjoyed Javier Rodriguez’s art. From the visuals alone it seems like Marvel is turning Spider-Woman into the replacement for Matt Fraction/David Aja’s Hawkeye, aka the arty Marvel book. Jess’s night out is full of speech balloons of symbols only and the splash pages of Jess traversing the alien hospital undetected were really clever. I also liked how Rodriguez cuts down on the panelling by putting the character into multiple positions in a scene instead to make the story flow more naturally, which worked really well.
Artwork aside, I wasn’t that taken with Dennis Hopeless’ script. Maybe it’s because I’m not a parent or even that interested in kids or having them - Jess’ monologue on the realities of parenting was so drearily unoriginal - and I’m not a big fan of the character either but Spider-Woman having a baby didn’t do much for me. Marvel fans who are parents or people who’re the opposite of me on the above will probably get more out of this one though.
I know, I’m a heartless beast, children are our future, yadda yadda ya… !
October 22, 2018
"As much as I'd love to crush these 'numbskrulls' . . . with great baby comes the crushing weight of parental responsibility. So mama will just sit here, choking back pride and keeping you safe." -- Jessica 'Spider-Woman' Drew, uneasily biding her time during a hostage situation, courtesy of the Skrulls
Although it was originally released two years ago, I will say that Spider-Woman: Shifting Gears, Volume 1: Baby Talk (along with Batman, Vol. 5: Rules of Engagement and X-Men Gold, Vol. 1: Back to Basics, both also highly recommended) was one of the best graphic novels I've read in 2018. This was doubly nice since I was very disappointed by Spider-Woman, Volume 1: Spider-Verse - also by author Dennis Hopeless - earlier this year. The one thing I did like about Spider-Verse were the snappy Spider-Woman / Captain Marvel conversations, which happily are a large part of Baby Talk.
In a nutshell, Jessica Drew (after a perfectly brisk prologue that is equals parts humorous and head-bashing action) - in her third trimester of pregnancy - stubbornly agrees to an appointment with an intergalactic obstetrician after urging from BFF Carol 'Captain Marvel' Danvers. What follows is basically a riff on the first Die Hard, although there is the added monkey wrench of Drew protecting her unborn child, as well as an office full of pregnant alien mothers-to-be trapped along with her.
I realize how silly that last paragraph may sound, but writer Hopeless has really crafted a perfect little book here. While it was consistently funny with a lot of action, he doesn't go on autopilot for the finale and actually sort of digs deeper, demonstrating some universal truths about parenthood.
Baby Talk was an unexpected great time, and a really entertaining super(mom)heroine story.
Although it was originally released two years ago, I will say that Spider-Woman: Shifting Gears, Volume 1: Baby Talk (along with Batman, Vol. 5: Rules of Engagement and X-Men Gold, Vol. 1: Back to Basics, both also highly recommended) was one of the best graphic novels I've read in 2018. This was doubly nice since I was very disappointed by Spider-Woman, Volume 1: Spider-Verse - also by author Dennis Hopeless - earlier this year. The one thing I did like about Spider-Verse were the snappy Spider-Woman / Captain Marvel conversations, which happily are a large part of Baby Talk.
In a nutshell, Jessica Drew (after a perfectly brisk prologue that is equals parts humorous and head-bashing action) - in her third trimester of pregnancy - stubbornly agrees to an appointment with an intergalactic obstetrician after urging from BFF Carol 'Captain Marvel' Danvers. What follows is basically a riff on the first Die Hard, although there is the added monkey wrench of Drew protecting her unborn child, as well as an office full of pregnant alien mothers-to-be trapped along with her.
I realize how silly that last paragraph may sound, but writer Hopeless has really crafted a perfect little book here. While it was consistently funny with a lot of action, he doesn't go on autopilot for the finale and actually sort of digs deeper, demonstrating some universal truths about parenthood.
Baby Talk was an unexpected great time, and a really entertaining super(mom)heroine story.
August 31, 2016
I'm honestly surprised at how much I ended up liking this.
May 4, 2020
Never been a great fan of Hopeless, but this volume was a real good one and the "Avenger with the butt" gag response to Milo Mamara's scandalous artwork just made my day.
Far better than expected.
September 3, 2016
5 stars
"It's hard to ignore the cantaloupe-size meat monkey dancing on my bladder." - Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman
Javier Rodriguez continues to rock the art in this series. His layouts coupled with Hopeless's dialogue make for a really pleasant reading experience.
In case you hadn't heard, or seen, Jessica Drew is pregnant. Trouble still has it's way of finding her and she's not doing much to shy away from it.
After a few run ins with Skrulls...
One who happens to be the prince that the rebel Skrulls are after, who is quite likable in his own right and basically saves Jessica's tail...
She has her baby...
Followed by another post-delivery Skrull floor-wiping...
Naturally, much questioning herself on continuing to be a super-hero ensues. BUT after some careful nudging from Ben Urich, she's back at it again. I'm enjoying the hell out of this series. Oh, more Klundirk the teenage Skrull Prince cancer patient. He needs his own series.
"Kicking ass and taking names in the face of horrible danger, this is what we do." - Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman
"It's hard to ignore the cantaloupe-size meat monkey dancing on my bladder." - Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman
Javier Rodriguez continues to rock the art in this series. His layouts coupled with Hopeless's dialogue make for a really pleasant reading experience.
In case you hadn't heard, or seen, Jessica Drew is pregnant. Trouble still has it's way of finding her and she's not doing much to shy away from it.
After a few run ins with Skrulls...
One who happens to be the prince that the rebel Skrulls are after, who is quite likable in his own right and basically saves Jessica's tail...
She has her baby...
Followed by another post-delivery Skrull floor-wiping...
Naturally, much questioning herself on continuing to be a super-hero ensues. BUT after some careful nudging from Ben Urich, she's back at it again. I'm enjoying the hell out of this series. Oh, more Klundirk the teenage Skrull Prince cancer patient. He needs his own series.
"Kicking ass and taking names in the face of horrible danger, this is what we do." - Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2017
The avenger with the BUTT!
I always loved Jessica. She's not only hot but she's badass too. Her costume is also on point, so damn sick. She was a great side character so when I saw she was getting her own series I was pretty excited. Then I saw a baby on the cover and was like HUH!? And then I read it, and guess what? It's pretty good.
It starts off little slow. Jess trying to have a baby, gets trapped in a space hospital with Skrulls trying to take over, and I was kind of bored issue 1-2. But issue 3-5 for sure made up for it. Issue 3 we meet a cool little skrull kid who sadly has cancer, but the skrulls want him because he's a prince. So Jessica keeps him away from them so they don't take him and destroy the hospital.
Then the baby is born.
IT'S SO CUTE. Maybe it's because my wife and I are trying but I really enjoyed the second half of this. Watching Jessica juggle both her personal life with the baby and "work" being a superhero is really fun. Plus I love the chemistry she and Carol have, it's always fun to watch. They actually FEEL and READ like best friends.
Overall the opening could have been better but it's worth a read for the last three issues alone. For that it gets a solid 3/5!
I always loved Jessica. She's not only hot but she's badass too. Her costume is also on point, so damn sick. She was a great side character so when I saw she was getting her own series I was pretty excited. Then I saw a baby on the cover and was like HUH!? And then I read it, and guess what? It's pretty good.
It starts off little slow. Jess trying to have a baby, gets trapped in a space hospital with Skrulls trying to take over, and I was kind of bored issue 1-2. But issue 3-5 for sure made up for it. Issue 3 we meet a cool little skrull kid who sadly has cancer, but the skrulls want him because he's a prince. So Jessica keeps him away from them so they don't take him and destroy the hospital.
Then the baby is born.
IT'S SO CUTE. Maybe it's because my wife and I are trying but I really enjoyed the second half of this. Watching Jessica juggle both her personal life with the baby and "work" being a superhero is really fun. Plus I love the chemistry she and Carol have, it's always fun to watch. They actually FEEL and READ like best friends.
Overall the opening could have been better but it's worth a read for the last three issues alone. For that it gets a solid 3/5!
July 14, 2017
Secret Wars is over and Jessica is now...pregnant? Jessica is forced to take some time off to have the baby, goes to an intergalactic hospital to see a doula and the Skrulls show up. This was a lot of fun. The final issues deal with the first few months of caring for a newborn.
The Good: Those issues with Jessica dealing with the Skrulls at eight months pregnant are awesome. Hopeless does a fantastic job of conveying the emotions new parents go through. Javier Rodriguez's art gets better and better.
The Bad: Ben and Porcupine get kind of left behind in this, after they were just set up as the supporting cast in the last volume.
The Ugly: Porcupine babysitting. Yikes!
The Good: Those issues with Jessica dealing with the Skrulls at eight months pregnant are awesome. Hopeless does a fantastic job of conveying the emotions new parents go through. Javier Rodriguez's art gets better and better.
The Bad: Ben and Porcupine get kind of left behind in this, after they were just set up as the supporting cast in the last volume.
The Ugly: Porcupine babysitting. Yikes!
July 16, 2016
4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this! I really like Jessica Drew, she's so sassy, strong and a very interesting character to read about especially since I've never read any comics with her before. I love Jess and Carols friendship, I enjoyed the plot and i just had a really fun time reading this.
I really enjoyed this! I really like Jessica Drew, she's so sassy, strong and a very interesting character to read about especially since I've never read any comics with her before. I love Jess and Carols friendship, I enjoyed the plot and i just had a really fun time reading this.
July 24, 2019
I'm absolutely in love with this run. Anyone who knows me knows that Fraction and Aja's Hawkeye is one of my favorite comics of all time, and this feels like a proper spiritual sequel. And that is mostly thanks to Javier Rodriguez's incredible art. His layouts are amazing! So dynamic, so well paced. And not only is his pencil work amazing, but so is his coloring (and Rachelle Rosenberg fills his shoes perfectly from the 3rd issue on). Of course, this wouldn't be possible without a really strong script from Dennis Hopeless, who is quickly rising to become a favorite of mine (check out his Avengers Arena/Undercover run). Hopeless perfectly balances a heartfelt story about becoming a mom with street-level vigilantism and wacky space shenanigans, all while giving Jessica Drew the best voice since Bendis. A new voice--a more grounded voice that feels fresh while still honoring everything that makes Jessica Drew who she is.
This gets a perfect 10 from me.
This gets a perfect 10 from me.
August 3, 2018
It’s been a while since I read any comics, really, so I picked this one up on a whim. It’s quite a lot of fun: Jessica Drew kicks ass and takes names even when pregnant — even when she’s just had an emergency caesarian. That part isn’t realistic, but the bit about her learning to cope with giving things up, dealing with motherhood, and figuring out who she is now… that’s all probably pretty on the nose. And I loved Carol’s concern for her and how Jessica called out all the overprotective behaviour.
Does it make sense, coming right after the last Spider-Woman comic I read? Not really. It feels like they just decided to take a left turn out of nowhere for the fun of it. It’s comics, so you know it isn’t going to change much — for all I know, Jessica’s kid has been retconned out of everything already.
Still, like I said, it’s fun. And I do like the art in this TPB.
Reviewed for the Bibliophibian.
Does it make sense, coming right after the last Spider-Woman comic I read? Not really. It feels like they just decided to take a left turn out of nowhere for the fun of it. It’s comics, so you know it isn’t going to change much — for all I know, Jessica’s kid has been retconned out of everything already.
Still, like I said, it’s fun. And I do like the art in this TPB.
Reviewed for the Bibliophibian.
March 3, 2018
FUN. FUN. FUN.
So good. So fun to read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anyone who likes Spider-Woman , Super-heroes or a super-hero being pregnant and trying to juggle life and superheoism.
Read that shit!
So good. So fun to read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anyone who likes Spider-Woman , Super-heroes or a super-hero being pregnant and trying to juggle life and superheoism.
Read that shit!
September 23, 2018
Jessica Drew. Once a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, once an Avenger, now a mom-to-be. With only a few weeks left before due date, Jess is tired, tired of friends worrying about her, of people kindness and condescending questions, but most of all, she's just so tired of having to give up parts of herself. It's not only coffee, the little daily sacrifices for a healthy pregnancy, or sleep, or her awesome motorcycle, it's leaving behind her superhero days and have to adapt to normal life. But can she really do normal?
Okay, in paper I love the idea of a pregnant superhero. This is the exploration of the fears and worries of every soon-to-be parent, but you know, intensified by the whole superhero thing. Love it. Love the idea. Buuuuuut, I just didn't love this.
I liked Jessica, I liked seeing a female/female friendship that was the emotional support throughout the whole story. But... something didn't click with me. Yes, I adoooored the last issue collected here, issue #5, where Jess tries to let go, to balance her mommy life with her work. She struggles so much, but little by little she makes progress. That part I loved and I'd rate it 4 stars, but the other four issues? Kinda bored me to tears. Not gonna lie. I just found it super average. Outside of the whole concept, the writing and the artwork didn't wow me, which, at the end of the day, kind of disappoint me. Maybe I had high hopes and I went in thinking I was gonna love this, but I just didn't connect.
So here, 3 stars, but I won't be continuing this series.
Okay, in paper I love the idea of a pregnant superhero. This is the exploration of the fears and worries of every soon-to-be parent, but you know, intensified by the whole superhero thing. Love it. Love the idea. Buuuuuut, I just didn't love this.
I liked Jessica, I liked seeing a female/female friendship that was the emotional support throughout the whole story. But... something didn't click with me. Yes, I adoooored the last issue collected here, issue #5, where Jess tries to let go, to balance her mommy life with her work. She struggles so much, but little by little she makes progress. That part I loved and I'd rate it 4 stars, but the other four issues? Kinda bored me to tears. Not gonna lie. I just found it super average. Outside of the whole concept, the writing and the artwork didn't wow me, which, at the end of the day, kind of disappoint me. Maybe I had high hopes and I went in thinking I was gonna love this, but I just didn't connect.
So here, 3 stars, but I won't be continuing this series.
September 29, 2018
Despite being called Spider-Woman, she is no female carbon copy of everyone's favourite wall-crawler as not only does Jessica Drew possess different powers than Spider-Man but her stories were less about domestic troubles and more in the field of espionage. Although she has been around for four decades, Jessica Drew began her resurgence when Brian Michael Bendis added her to the roster of the New Avengers, which then led her to get her self-titled own limited series again after so long.
Having fought alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes, has been an agent of Hydra and a super-spy for the government, writer Dennis Hopeless places Spider-Woman in a life of normalcy where she will experience the miracle that is childbirth. Under the advisement of her best friend Carol Danvers AKA Captain Marvel, Jessica makes a doctor's appointment in an alien hospital in the centre of a black hole, where she and many of the patients are held captive by Skrulls.
As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch, this volume does read at times like the continuation of an ongoing story as Hopeless had previously written two volumes about the character. Working as a private investigator alongside Daily Bugle reporter Ben Urich and Roger Gocking AKA the Porcupine, it does evoke Bendis' original idea for Alias, where Drew was going to be the lead. Given the brief appearances from both Urich and Gocking, there is a great deal of friendship between them and Drew, who also share some hijinks with Carol.
However, for most of the volume, Spider-Woman is literally out of this world as she interacts with various female aliens, some of which are going through pregnancy. Hopeless has great fun showing our eponymous protagonist physically challenges herself to lead these women against the Skrulls. With our hero on the brink of giving birth, it is a classic Marvel trait of mixing the domesticity with the superhero action and the stroke of genius occurs in the final issue where she struggles as a newbie mother.
Having drawn for Marvel since the start of this decade, Javier Rodriguez is the best artists working today as his work is so varied from his highly expressive characters to the highly-detailed alien world where each issue adds a different layer. Whether he's drawing character drama or cosmic spectacle, Rodriguez can go big and small with his panels and when it comes to the colourful splash pages, his collage work is very inventive.
It does feel like you're dropped right in the middle of something, but this new role as an adorable mother for Spider-Woman adds new adventures that I would happily read.
Having fought alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes, has been an agent of Hydra and a super-spy for the government, writer Dennis Hopeless places Spider-Woman in a life of normalcy where she will experience the miracle that is childbirth. Under the advisement of her best friend Carol Danvers AKA Captain Marvel, Jessica makes a doctor's appointment in an alien hospital in the centre of a black hole, where she and many of the patients are held captive by Skrulls.
As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch, this volume does read at times like the continuation of an ongoing story as Hopeless had previously written two volumes about the character. Working as a private investigator alongside Daily Bugle reporter Ben Urich and Roger Gocking AKA the Porcupine, it does evoke Bendis' original idea for Alias, where Drew was going to be the lead. Given the brief appearances from both Urich and Gocking, there is a great deal of friendship between them and Drew, who also share some hijinks with Carol.
However, for most of the volume, Spider-Woman is literally out of this world as she interacts with various female aliens, some of which are going through pregnancy. Hopeless has great fun showing our eponymous protagonist physically challenges herself to lead these women against the Skrulls. With our hero on the brink of giving birth, it is a classic Marvel trait of mixing the domesticity with the superhero action and the stroke of genius occurs in the final issue where she struggles as a newbie mother.
Having drawn for Marvel since the start of this decade, Javier Rodriguez is the best artists working today as his work is so varied from his highly expressive characters to the highly-detailed alien world where each issue adds a different layer. Whether he's drawing character drama or cosmic spectacle, Rodriguez can go big and small with his panels and when it comes to the colourful splash pages, his collage work is very inventive.
It does feel like you're dropped right in the middle of something, but this new role as an adorable mother for Spider-Woman adds new adventures that I would happily read.
February 24, 2022
This was so sweet aw. Jessica Drew is pregnant and after bestie Carol's suggestion, Jess goes to an intergalactic hospital but then it gets taken over by Skrulls.
I was kinda hesitant to read this because it feels really ick for a woman's pregnancy story done by a bunch of men and while I still feel the ick, it was at least done well.
I loved her friendship with Captain Marvel so much, it was literally so sweet & caring and truly the highlight of this for me. Idk how these dudes did it but go off.
I do wish this has more Ben and Jess activity though, and along with him interacting with her baby which we didn't get. But also he's a silver fox and I think they should kiss sooo.
Really enjoyable volume though!!
I was kinda hesitant to read this because it feels really ick for a woman's pregnancy story done by a bunch of men and while I still feel the ick, it was at least done well.
I loved her friendship with Captain Marvel so much, it was literally so sweet & caring and truly the highlight of this for me. Idk how these dudes did it but go off.
I do wish this has more Ben and Jess activity though, and along with him interacting with her baby which we didn't get. But also he's a silver fox and I think they should kiss sooo.
Really enjoyable volume though!!
November 29, 2021
Jessica drew as a mom is everything to me
April 13, 2021
Seriously, does Dennis Hopeless have some kind of channeling ability? Telepathy? A form of OCD that lets him photographically observe and regurgitate human interactions?
Cause this series of his is some of the easiest stuff to read - like, ever. I don't even once have that knee-jerk reaction of "OMG do they ever say these lines out loud?", and even the master of all dialogue that is Bendis has an occasional slip.
Instead I get to see Tony Stark asking "who's the father?" and Spidey's reaction is priceless:
Even this - though "time for momma to shut her mouth" is pretty arch dialogue, it also feels completely in character for this loveable nutbag.
An invasion of the hospital where Spider-Woman is getting checked out? 9 months pregnant, fending off a squad of Skrulls by herself? Yeah, that's going on my list of ridiculous shit I never would've dreamed I needed in my life, but there it is. Tackling the problem head-on, facing beasts that would squash you? Yep, Jessica is ballsy enough as it is, let alone when she's about to become a brood protector.
This woman would make me feel safe in any dark alley, alone or with her glowing-fisted friends:
Cause this series of his is some of the easiest stuff to read - like, ever. I don't even once have that knee-jerk reaction of "OMG do they ever say these lines out loud?", and even the master of all dialogue that is Bendis has an occasional slip.
Instead I get to see Tony Stark asking "who's the father?" and Spidey's reaction is priceless:
Even this - though "time for momma to shut her mouth" is pretty arch dialogue, it also feels completely in character for this loveable nutbag.
An invasion of the hospital where Spider-Woman is getting checked out? 9 months pregnant, fending off a squad of Skrulls by herself? Yeah, that's going on my list of ridiculous shit I never would've dreamed I needed in my life, but there it is. Tackling the problem head-on, facing beasts that would squash you? Yep, Jessica is ballsy enough as it is, let alone when she's about to become a brood protector.
This woman would make me feel safe in any dark alley, alone or with her glowing-fisted friends:
September 5, 2017
Fun and light and full of personal voice!
World: The art is fantastic, it's a bit static for the action but that doesn't matter because Jessica and everyone else is so full of character and personality that it draws the reader is to this world. Along with the character work the world makes for a fun cohesive world that is interesting and a great stage for the very personal story to take place.
Story: Hilarious, fun and full of heart. This is a different Jessica Drew and this new direction makes me smile. Small intimate and all about the characters is the key to this arc. Sure we will have some superhero space craziness but the heart of the story is great. The beats are there and expected but it's just so well paced and written. Good stuff.
Characters: The heart of the book. Jessica's personal voice is clear and distinct and real. It's full of personality and the art informs so much about her. The rest of the cast is also absolutely wonder with Carol and Gary and Urich all standing out. It's just good.
Pregnant superhero stories are not as rare as you would think. The story is expected but the execution and the character work was sublime.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is fantastic, it's a bit static for the action but that doesn't matter because Jessica and everyone else is so full of character and personality that it draws the reader is to this world. Along with the character work the world makes for a fun cohesive world that is interesting and a great stage for the very personal story to take place.
Story: Hilarious, fun and full of heart. This is a different Jessica Drew and this new direction makes me smile. Small intimate and all about the characters is the key to this arc. Sure we will have some superhero space craziness but the heart of the story is great. The beats are there and expected but it's just so well paced and written. Good stuff.
Characters: The heart of the book. Jessica's personal voice is clear and distinct and real. It's full of personality and the art informs so much about her. The rest of the cast is also absolutely wonder with Carol and Gary and Urich all standing out. It's just good.
Pregnant superhero stories are not as rare as you would think. The story is expected but the execution and the character work was sublime.
Onward to the next book!
August 1, 2016
I was SO WORRIED.
SO.
WORRIED.
WORRIED.
SO SOSOSOSOSOSO
WORRIED.
Jess has never wanted/liked/extensively interacted with children, has a MESSED up past, and is known for being a violent loner. Again, there's humanizing and character growth, and then there's totally changing who the character is.
But I like it. I think Hopeless did a good job of framing her motivations, letting her grow towards a new role, but making sure she still kicked ass. Again, I would like to see a little more acknowledgement of her past; not to dwell on it or let it consume her present, but just to remember how far she's come.
SO.
WORRIED.
WORRIED.
SO SOSOSOSOSOSO
WORRIED.
Jess has never wanted/liked/extensively interacted with children, has a MESSED up past, and is known for being a violent loner. Again, there's humanizing and character growth, and then there's totally changing who the character is.
But I like it. I think Hopeless did a good job of framing her motivations, letting her grow towards a new role, but making sure she still kicked ass. Again, I would like to see a little more acknowledgement of her past; not to dwell on it or let it consume her present, but just to remember how far she's come.
September 20, 2016
Oh man, this was so good. I love Jessica Drew, and there was so much Carol Danvers BFF-ness in this one! I liked how the writers are handling her pregnancy and motherhood, and (as someone who doesn't have kids) it felt very genuine about the mixed feelings that come with being in the charge of a tiny human.
Oh! And I LOVED all the pregnant aliens. That was just fun.
Oh! And I LOVED all the pregnant aliens. That was just fun.
July 26, 2016
A witty take on Die Hard in space starring a super-powered pregnant woman.
Also, features the best five page monologue on what raising a baby is like I've ever read. It should be read to teens in sex ed to encourage use of birth control.
Also, features the best five page monologue on what raising a baby is like I've ever read. It should be read to teens in sex ed to encourage use of birth control.
September 13, 2016
Forgot I read this in a BN a little while back. I liked it.
October 17, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
“Now it’s my job to show him”
Jessica Drew eres lo mejorcito, es el primer cómic que leo de ti, ósea como principal y de verdad la quiero maaaas! Tremenda!
Siempre he amado su amistad con Carol y en el arco de Kelly su amistad es súper lindo pero AQUÍ?!? Ayyyyyyyy la manera en que se quieren por favor 😭, y la preocupación de Carol y cómo se sentía culpable de la situación?!? mi criaturaaaa.
Anyways, Jessica eres demasiado badass y necesito seguí leyendo más de ti!
“Now it’s my job to show him”
Jessica Drew eres lo mejorcito, es el primer cómic que leo de ti, ósea como principal y de verdad la quiero maaaas! Tremenda!
Siempre he amado su amistad con Carol y en el arco de Kelly su amistad es súper lindo pero AQUÍ?!? Ayyyyyyyy la manera en que se quieren por favor 😭, y la preocupación de Carol y cómo se sentía culpable de la situación?!? mi criaturaaaa.
Anyways, Jessica eres demasiado badass y necesito seguí leyendo más de ti!
November 26, 2017
Just awesome.
August 20, 2016
Fantastic comic.
I had never really read any Spider-Woman comic before, but this one seems like it was a good enough place to start. We follow Spider-Woman as she’s six months pregnant (well, in the beginning). We don’t get a lot of background on the pregnancy but that is not really necessary. Captain Marvel recommends a certain hospital to her and when she goes there, the hospital is taken by Skrulls and she essentially has to fight her way out and save all the people in the hospital, all while very, very pregnant. You may already have guessed: Spider-Woman absolutely kicks ass as a pregnant woman and doesn’t need anybody to help her, really.
I really enjoyed this one. It is fast paced and easy to follow. It doesn’t jump around a lot and also doesn’t require a lot of background knowledge of the Marvel universe for you to understand what is happening. The story basically tells you: Avengers = good, Skrulls = bad, and that is enough to know in order to follow the story. The character of Spider-Woman is really well portrayed in my opinion: kickass and with a hard shell but a very soft core. On the inside she is very vulnerable and even scared of what is coming up for her with the baby, which she doesn’t like to show anyone but obviously the reader still sees. I really enjoyed that they showed her as a human being. There aren’t really very many instances of weird body poses that are physically impossible, but instead I would think she is realistically portrayed (except maybe that after giving birth she is immediately slim, but oh well). Overall I think it was such an interesting take on superhero comics in the way it played with the balance between a superhero life and having a baby, and that was really refreshing to read about.
I had never really read any Spider-Woman comic before, but this one seems like it was a good enough place to start. We follow Spider-Woman as she’s six months pregnant (well, in the beginning). We don’t get a lot of background on the pregnancy but that is not really necessary. Captain Marvel recommends a certain hospital to her and when she goes there, the hospital is taken by Skrulls and she essentially has to fight her way out and save all the people in the hospital, all while very, very pregnant. You may already have guessed: Spider-Woman absolutely kicks ass as a pregnant woman and doesn’t need anybody to help her, really.
I really enjoyed this one. It is fast paced and easy to follow. It doesn’t jump around a lot and also doesn’t require a lot of background knowledge of the Marvel universe for you to understand what is happening. The story basically tells you: Avengers = good, Skrulls = bad, and that is enough to know in order to follow the story. The character of Spider-Woman is really well portrayed in my opinion: kickass and with a hard shell but a very soft core. On the inside she is very vulnerable and even scared of what is coming up for her with the baby, which she doesn’t like to show anyone but obviously the reader still sees. I really enjoyed that they showed her as a human being. There aren’t really very many instances of weird body poses that are physically impossible, but instead I would think she is realistically portrayed (except maybe that after giving birth she is immediately slim, but oh well). Overall I think it was such an interesting take on superhero comics in the way it played with the balance between a superhero life and having a baby, and that was really refreshing to read about.
June 10, 2017
This title handles the issues it raises so well. Dennis Hopeless should right all the female led comics...
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