Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse was a true delight so I had to get my hands on this Spider-Gwen issue to learn more about the girl in ballet shoes.

This was a serviceable, fun introduction to Gwen Stacy, who in this alternative universe, is bitten by a radioactive spider and becomes a superhero. She’s just as plucky as Peter Parker with a little more grit and different hang-ups. In this universe, lots of well-known characters serve entirely new and different purposes: Daredevil is a villain, the Punisher is a cop and Captain America is still a badass but also a woman.

I think new, young fans will be tickled by this version of Spidey, especially given the success of the animated movie. ( )

The second volume moves the overall plot of the series forwards and introduces even more of this world's versions of existing Marvel heroes. Some of them are a lot like their original counterparts, but mostly they are interesting variations.

What I liked best about this volume is that it was surprisingly heartwarming. Gwen is a more thoughtful and deliberate Spider-hero than the impulsive Peter Parker or the naive and inexperienced Miles Morales. I look forward to seeing how she continues to come up with creative solutions that don't just rely on hitting people until they're unconscious. ( )

Gwen grapples with her baggage around Peter Parker's death when a Lizard 2.0 arrives on the scene. Meanwhile, her father must make his own choices between knowing what his career asks of him and what his daughter needs from him.

I'm really enjoying this series. Gwen is a fascinating character, it's delightful to see an alternate universe spin on major Marvel characters (Captain America is an African-American woman! Matt Murdock is evil!), and the larger superhero universe remains intriguing. ( )

Spider-Gwen, Vol. 1: Greater Power collects Spider-Gwen volume 2, nos. 1-6, written by Jason Latour with art by Robbi Rodriguez and Chris Visions (on issue 5). Rico Renzi continues to provide a distinctive color palette for the series. Following the events of Secret Wars, Latour and his artists relaunched Spider-Gwen as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel brand. Despite the start back at issue number one, this follows the story as it had been going without much mention of the Secret Wars.
The story begins with Gwen Stacy seeking out Dr. Curt Connors to find out how Earth-65 Peter Parker managed to turn himself into a lizard. Along the way, she encounters a team of lizards and her universe's Captain America. Meanwhile, Matt Murdock tries to use her father to recruit her to the Kingpin's side. Visits to the main 616 Marvel Universe to meet with Jessica Drew lead to discussions about the role of destiny and the meaning of life.
Latour continues to tell an exciting and innovated story and the art and inks by Rodriguez and Renzi make this one just as much of a treat as the previous volume. My only complaint is the art by Chris Visions on issue 5, which doesn't match anything before or after in this volume. It has a rough, unfinished look compared to the stylized appearance of the rest. Still, fans of the character will find a lot to enjoy here. ( )

Spiderwoman is still being hunted by the cops, but Gwen's dad is no longer in charge of the case, Jean DeWolff and Frank Castle are. Stacey is following the Lizard lead that Gwen had given him and with her help is finding evidence that something is out there destroying buildings and kidnapping pets. Gwen takes down the Lizard, Dr. Conners, at the beginning with Captain America with her hands cuffed as Captain America is trying to bring her in. There's a group of lizards that rush them and Captain America uses her spray that temporarily reverses them back to human form and ties them up. Falcon lets DeWolff by and she sees the whole thing happen. Gwen gets away and no one is happy about this. But Captain America points out the fact to DeWolff that no one but Spiderwoman had been looking for the Lizard. That doesn't mean that the hunt is off of Spiderwoman.

While Matt Murdock is visiting Captain Stacy to give him his card and tell him he is there to help his daughter, Gwen has managed to get the cuffs off and is at the cabin with her friends where Harry Osborne has made an appearance after being MIA for two years, ever since Peter's death. It turns out he blames himself for Peter's death because he didn't speak up when Spiderwoman was attacking Peter in the Lizard form. So he joined the Army and learned to fight, then he joined SHIELD who "taught me to kill." He plans on taking out Spiderwoman. He has become the Green Goblin.

So Gwen has the cops after her, one of whom is crooked. Captain America is after her and so is the Green Goblin. Who will catch her first and what will be her fate? Chapter five is drawn with harsh lines and bright colors harshly painted. It slashes across the pages, which fits the in-your-face storyline being told. I love the colors in this book. They leap off of the pages. This is a worthy successor to the last book and I can't wait to read the next one. ( )