MARVEL MASTERWORKS: SPIDER-WOMAN, VOL. 3

Marvel Masterworks: Spider-Woman #3

by Michael Fleisher, Marvel Various (Writer)

Publishing magnate Rupert Dockery wants to expand his media empire. To do so will require putting Spider-Woman in her place, but Jessica Drew is not the kind to surrender easily to the machinations of a corporatist like Dockery. Striking an unlikely alliance with the Enforcer will be her only way to beat back Dockery and save the life of her best friend. The saga winds up with the arrival of Werewolf by Night and the stunning debut of the Hornet! Then, in the midst of his Uncanny X-Men glory, Chris Claremont takes over as writer—and he’s brought the X-Men with him! Jessica teams with Xavier’s mutants to take on Juggernaut. Plus: The first appearance of Siryn and a second team-up with Spider-Man!

COLLECTING: Spider-Woman (1978) 26-38

Genres: Comics

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 3, 2023

About the author

Michael Lawrence Fleisher's comic-book writing career spanned two decades in which he authored approximately 700 stories for DC, Marvel, and other comics publishers. His work on series such as The Spectre and Jonah Hex is still highly regarded, as is his work on the Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes. After a widely reported libel case his comic output declined, with his last published comic assignment appearing in the UK anthology 2000AD in 1995.

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of this (at the time) B list superhero. Good read on these early tales. Recommended

[Troy-David Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of Spider-Woman stories is quite good. Not perfect, but well-done all the same.

Jessica Drew struggles to balance her two lives as a civilian bounty-hunter and a costumed adventurer.
A common struggle in the Marvel Universe.
Her partner seems to have some personal demons to sort, not least of which seems to be some self-loathing over his physical disability. He is briefly made a pawn and later a mutated villain and his story seems to be abruptly sidelined so Jessica can be moved into a new phase of life which sees her hit San Francisco and gain a new supporting cast member, possibly a romantic interest.
The assorment of villains is an interesting one, including Spider-Man foe The Human Fly, Doctor Malus, Angar the Screamer, and Juggernaut and Black Tom.
Guest stars include Spider-Man, Werewolf by Night, Nick Fury, and the X-Men (1981 era lineup). Also, first appearance of Siryn.

This is a good collection: paced fairly well, not overboard with guest stars, and good showcasing of Spider-Woman’s abilities.

[Del · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a seriously dense read. I know the silver age gets a lot of criticism for being wordy, but this bronze age run is easily as wordy, if not more so. Now I love silver age comics for the most part, so the density doesn't bother me so long as the plots are strong and enjoyable. The first half, not very enjoyable. It gets better with the J.M De matteis one issue, and then Chris Claremont takes over, bring ing in a large swathe of x-men characters in the mix of things. But even by Claremont standards, he really went to town with his prose in these issues.

So not bad, but not the best spiderwoman run of comics, I think the previous 2 volumes are better.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets better about half way through. Earlier issues feature an annoying paraplegic criminologist that may be one the most annoying characters created for a Marvel comic. Once he is phased out and Claremont takes over, the plots start to get more interesting.

[John Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always had a soft spot for Spider-Woman, and this books reminds me why - it's a collection of stories that are imaginative and great fun. Lots of wild villains (including a news producer who is using her to sell his papers, a sort of anti-JJJ). Nicely produced entertainment.

[Mihkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay yeah I’m kinda obsessed with her now. A 4.5 because I have a feeling there is even more to come