Edge of Spider-Verse #2

Writer: Jason Latour Artist: Robbi Rodriguez Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: September 17, 2014 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 29 User Reviews: 37
8.7Critic Rating
8.0User Rating

GWEN STACY: SPIDER-WOMAN!
•  In one universe, it wasn't Peter Parker bitten by the radioactive Spider, but Gwen Stacy!
•  She's smart, charming and can lift a car-- Just don't tell her Police Chief father!
•  How is she involved in Spider-Verse? Seeds of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9 are planted here!
Rated T+

  • 10
    Comic Vine - Jen 'Miss J' Aprahamian Sep 17, 2014

    EOS:GS:SW nods appropriately to familiar Spidey characters and lore, but twists the script enough that it's really something of its own. The mark of a good What If? story is its ability to balance the existing continuity with bold, exciting ideas, and this issue really lands. I can't wait to see more Spider-Gwen in ASM #9, and I'm glad that this book was at the top of my pile this week. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Needless Essentials Online - Stan Ford Sep 19, 2014

    That brings me to my one criticism of this book. Why the hell is this a one-shot? I want to at least see a mini-series with this character by this creative team! I think Jason Latour is essential this character at this point, just because so many writers don't see Gwen as a person but as a legend. Latour made her real, and someone that we care about. We feel the angst and responsibility that she has. A choice of artists has to be carefully made if Marvel follows this up with more stories, but doesn't include Rodriguez. Greg Land's variant cover is proof of that, as his take on the character is completely wrong, not capturing the quality that is captured here. I want more of this character, but I'm perfectly happy not getting it if they can't get it as right as Latour, Rodriguez, and Renzi did here, and that is rare in comics. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Sep 16, 2014

    I want a series featuring Gwen Stacy, The Spectacular Spider-Woman written by Jason Latour and illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez. I really, really want it. Marvel Comics has captured lightning in a bottle with this issue. It's sleek, smart, and so damn cool. I simply don't have enough superlatives for what Latour and Rodriguez have created here. So I'll leave it at this: buy Edge of Spider-Verse #2. And after you too fall in love, make sure to write in and let Marvel know that you want an ongoing Gwen Stacy, The Spectacular Spider-Woman series. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comics: The Gathering - ToriBee Sep 17, 2014

    Exciting is probably the best word to describe this issue. As previously mentioned its smooth action is gripping, but the character dynamics are also compelling. We all know who Gwen Stacy is, but this Gwen Stacy is much more multi-faceted and dynamic and it’s impossible to not want to see what she does next. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comicosity - Jessica Boyd Sep 16, 2014

    There are reveals, large and small in this issue. Latour reveals unpredictable cameos and creates major revelations that have plenty of story to explore in a full series. Fans of Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Stormand She-Hulk may find a kindred, spirit of justice and perseverance in this Gwen Stacy. Of course, at the very end we are reminded of the larger story that will bring this Spider-Woman into the larger battle to protect the heroes across the Spider-verse. Of course, more Spider-Gwen is always going to be a great thing. Everyone, be they a Spider-Man fan or not, should try and enjoy the empowerment of this book. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Major Spoilers - Ashley Victoria Robinson Sep 18, 2014

    Even if tie-ins and big event books are not your thing, it really is worth your while to pick up Edge of Spider-Verse #2. It is a refreshingly familiar look at Gwen Stacy and the Spider Mantle, it's beautiful and it's only 22 pages. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Nerds Unchained - Jeremy Radick Sep 18, 2014

    Hey, Marvel? If you and this team put out a book called Gwen Stacy, Spider-Woman, you'd have my money forever. Get to it. Read Full Review

  • 9.1
    Multiversity Comics - James Johnston Sep 19, 2014

    This might sound desperate, but please just buy it. If this issue is any indication, Spider-Gwen is the type of title that could work tremendously as a spin-off series. I was excited for "Spider-Verse" before with characters like Tokusatsu Spider-Man and (hopefully) Italian Spider-Man but Spider-Gwen has hyped me onto a new level entirely. If "Spider-Verse" is going to be more of this, then it might just be an instant classic of a Spider story. And I'd loved for "Spider-Gwen" to be one too. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Doom Rocket - Molly Jane Kremer Sep 18, 2014

    Jason Latour has said, "superheroes are about empowerment. Idealism should be inclusive." A reaction this massive and immediate to a single issue of a comic book shows how starved the female comics' audience (which exists! I promise!) is for a fun superhero comic all of us can read without having to deal with over-sexualized costumes and depictions, or being written-down to. Between this, Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and the Distinguished Competition's upcoming redesign/soft-relaunch of Batgirl, comics arefinally starting to feel like a place where I don't get the side-eye when I walk in the door. And it's a nice feeling, actually. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Resources - Meagan Damore Sep 17, 2014

    "Edge of Spider-Verse" #2 is everything that you didn't know you wanted in a Spider-book. Just like her debut, Gwen Stacy is unapologetically loud, driven, and a little rough around the edges but sure to charm her way into readers' hearts. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geeks Unleashed - Stephen Hardman Sep 19, 2014

    The question that should be on most people's lips now is what's next for Gwen Stacy Spider-Woman? We know she is going to feature again in the Spider-Verse event but she has exploded into existence with such force that it seems almost impossible that she will not feature again in the pages of comic books, or even have her own on-going series, once Spider-Verse is finished. I'd definitely buy that! Make it happen Marvel. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Infinite Comix - Z Sep 19, 2014

    Edge of Spider-Verse #2 is an excellent one-shot issue surrounded by an incredible concept. The story telling and art are top notch, and both contribute to make a stellar issue. Marvel would be wise to give Spider-Gwen her own ongoing series, because clearly the fans are rejoicing. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Herald - Thomas Bacon Sep 18, 2014

    It carries a clear sense of homage to the original, while also looking fresh and new; it also avoids the traditionally over-sexualised comic book female syndrome. No, this costume is sensible and stylish, feminine in a non-sex-bomb way. I like the look. Read Full Review

  • 8.9
    IGN - Tres Dean Sep 18, 2014

    All in all, Edge of Spider-Verse #2 is a can't-miss. Hopefully it won't be the last we see of Spider-Gwen. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Geeked Out Nation - Ian Yoxon Sep 18, 2014

    All in all Edge of Spider-Verse #2 was actually good comic that I would recommend any reader to buy. The characters were interesting, Gwen Stacy made a decent superhero and end it in a way that most didn't expect since this relates to Spider-Verse. I like to see more of Gwen Stacy and her world once Spider-Verse is over as it looks like She's going to be a popular character out of this and it would be a waste if Marvel didn't make more comics about her. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Nerds On The Rocks - Jonathan Schultz Sep 18, 2014

    Such a fun ride and great artwork. Looking forward to seeing more of Spider-Gwen in Amazing Spider-Man #9! Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Shadowhawk's Shade - Abhinav Jain Sep 19, 2014

    The story connects with Spider-Verse right at the end of the issue, reminding that there is a larger story at work here, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all fits together. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Superior Spider-Talk - Tony Goodwyn Sep 18, 2014

    Introducing a highly anticipated alternate version of Spidey, Edge of Spider-Verse #2 delivers a tale with a familiar flavor, but a noticeably different twist in a stunning visual style. Gwen Stacy's Spider-Woman makes for a memorable take on the wall crawler that will leave readers wanting more. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Sep 17, 2014

    This is a stellar origin story issue that is just fresh enough to be worth a look. It's definitely a take on the original origin, but it's fun and fresh because the character's voice is so strong. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Graphic Policy - Edward Wendt Sep 19, 2014

    It doesnt end up being quite as much of a disappointment, as even as a non-fan of the characters part of the Marvel Universe, that this is still an interesting and even fun read. The problem more so is that it feels at the same time like a missed opportunity. I have not read the first issue of this series, but if each Spider-Man is only a slightly different version of the character, with basically the same origin story told, then it would seem as though the creative staff is not challenging themselves enough. This thus becomes most evident in the artwork as compared to the writing. The artistic team here was willing to break all the rules for the new character, but the writing team stuck to what already made sense, and the payoff is evidently just not as good as it could be. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Eye On Comics - Don MacPherson Sep 17, 2014

    Robbi Rodriguez's elongated, lithe characters are attractive but never sexualized. The Spider-Gwen design is striking and unlike just about anything in super-hero comics. I also appreciated how familiar characters don't necessarily look like their counterparts from mainstream continuity, notably Peter Parker and Capt. Stacy. It's those added differences, the willingness to deviate from what the reader expects to see, that allows "Gwen Stacy, Spider-Woman" to stand out. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Nerdophiles - Ashley Leckwold Sep 23, 2014

    Even though it's over way too quickly, Gwen Stacy: Spider-Woman is definitely worth the read. Centering around a sassy and determined heroine, it brings us a version of Gwen Stacy ready to define her own fate and be her own hero. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Derek Baker Sep 18, 2014

    If there is one book that you pick up this week, it should probably be this one. Spider-Gwen only has one appearance under her belt, but shes already taking the internet and comics world by storm. Its praise thats well-placed. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Rob McMonigal Sep 18, 2014

    With some remarkable character changes, this What-If will leave you wanting to see more of Gwen's world. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Vanessa Gabriel Sep 22, 2014

    Strange speech bubble tics aside, from start to finish, Edge of the Spider-Verse #2 offers a fresh new character, an honest evolution, eye-candy art, a lot of story and cosplay inspiration for years to come. That's quite a feat for one issue. It is a must-read, and Spider-Gwen is worthy of the prime universe. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Front Towards Gamer - Lido Sep 19, 2014

    This is an excellent take on the concept and really sets itself apart from Spider-girl from the MC2 universe. Gwen is injected with real personality (certainly more than in the silver age comics) but it feels in no way stock or like a girl version of Peter, here the idea is that she's trapped between wanting to do music in her band and her responsibility as Spider-Woman. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Fanboys Inc - Lindsey Bass Sep 18, 2014

    Fans of Spider-Man will love this simply because of the context. In my experience Spider-Man readers are quite loyal. I was hoping for more substance, but it fell short of my expectations. Latour could have done so much more with Gwen's story. Right now she just comes off as being an angsty teenager trying to find her place. While that's something many people go through during their high school and college years, it seems a little irrelevant to this particular story. I understand he only had one issue to really tell her story and maybe there's more planned when she appears in "The Amazing Spider-Man #9". We still have a bit of a wait for that, so I guess I'll just have to be patient. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Pierce Lydon Sep 16, 2014

    Edge of Spider-Verse #2 is not a perfect comic, but it doesn't need to be. It's stretching the tapestry of Spider-Man's legacy and broadening the definition of what it means to be a hero. To do that without ticking anyone off is a definite win for any creative team. But they are beholden to the parameters set out by the publisher and shoehorning their story into a small space doesn't serve the story well. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Sep 20, 2014

    This was a fun, clever introduction to a very unique 'Alternate Reality Spider-Man'. I can see why fandom likes this Gwen so much, even though her first and only comic came out just this week. She embodies all the great, heroic things about Spider-Man, while having her own unique life and look. That costume is also pretty awesome. Latour does a great job building a whole universe around her " like The Mary Janes " and giving Gwen her own reasons for power/responsibility. I am definitely going to keep my eye out for Spider-Woman when Spider-Verse gets rolling. Read Full Review

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