Summary
Warning: Spoilers for Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider #2!Old-schoolSpider-Manvillain the Chameleon returns to solidifySpider-Gwen’splace in official Marvel canon. Thanks to the Spider-Verse – both the comics and the movies – the Spider-Gwen character has grown immensely popular with audiences. Of course, because she’s an alternate universe version of Gwen Stacy, there was only so much Marvel could do with her in canon, until they decided tomove her to Earth-616 permanently.
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider#2 – written by Stephanie Phillips, with art by Federica Mancin – introduces the Multiverse-hopping hero to her first enemy as a member of the mainstream Marvel Universe, whoturns out to be Spider-Man’s first official supervillain, the Chameleon.The previous issue suggested that her first rival would be Kraven the Hunter, but as it turns out, it was never Kraven. It was always his brother in disguise.
Gwen facing Spider-Man’s first foe as her first canonical enemy certainly isn’t a coincidence, as it solidifies her as the perfect heir to the Spider legacy.
10 Things Only Comic Book Fans Know About The Chameleon
The Chameleon is coming to live-action in Kraven The Hunter, and comic book fans know this Spider-Man villain will be a major player.
The Chameleon Returns: Spider-Man’s First Villain Welcomes Spider-Gwen To The Marvel Universe
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider#2 – Written By Stephanie Phillips; Art By Federica Mancin, Matt Milla, & VC’s Ariana Maher
Like Spider-Man before her, Gwen’s popularity led Marvel to launch her first solo series within the Earth-616 timeline, the publisher’s main canon.
Following Spider-Man’s swift growth in popularity following his debut inAmazing Fantasy#15, Marvel decided to push Spider-Man into an official series within their canon. Without counting the burglar who took his uncle’s life in his debut appearance, the first supervillain that Peter Parker combated as a costumed vigilante was the Chameleon, inThe Amazing Spider-Man#1. Now,Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider#2 perfectly mirrors that with its protagonist,introducing her to the Marvel Universe proper by having her battle the Chameleon.
The Amazing Spider-Man#1, “Spider-Man vs. The Chameleon!” was written by Stan Lee, with art by Steve Ditko, & John Duffi. The story featured the Chameleon debut, as the villain concocted a plot to commit nefarious crimes dressed up as Spider-Man; namely to steal missile defense plans.
Like Spider-Man before her, Gwen’s popularity led Marvel to launch her first solo series within the Earth-616 timeline, the publisher’s main canon. Once more, the Chameleon has been afoot using his disguises to cause confusion and commit nefarious crimes. As readers witnessed inThe Ghost Spider#1, Chameleon was hired by the Black Tarantula to take revenge on the Ghost-Spider for thwarting their bank heist. While Carlos LaMuerto will prove to be the larger overarching villain as a result, Ghost-Spider will, for now at least, be in direct conflict with Chameleon.
Such a full circle moment suggests Marvel has big plans for the Ghost-Spider’s future, possibly even making her the true heir to the Spider-Man’s legacy.
Spider-Gwen Solidifies Herself As Marvel’s Next Great Spider-Hero
Heir To Peter Parker’s Legacy
As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same:six decades after Spider-Man’s introduction, Spider-Gwen is tackling his first foe as her own. Such a full circle moment suggestsMarvel has big plans for the Ghost-Spider’s future, possibly even making her the true heir to the Spider-Man’s legacy. This isn’t to take away fromMarvel’s other Spider-heroes, but Gwen Stacy has the popularity to justify Marvel pushing her to the forefront. The direct parallel is just the beginning, as her move to 616 could putSpider-Gwenon par with Spider-Man in position and popularity.
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider#2is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
