Review by Ian Keogh

When considered removed from superhero action, the process that transformed Jessica Drew into Spider-Woman was one dark story, and despite the revisions of Origin, it’s remained in the past as Jessica maintained a superhero career. The thrust of Karla Pacheco’s Spider-Woman is to open up that can of worms via the infection contracted in Bad Blood, but the temporary cure may be becoming an addiction.

There may be some dread at the volume title for anyone who’s enjoying the web Pacheco’s spinning, as it indicates her plots are interrupted by the crossover in which Earth is invaded by Venom symbiotes. On the bright side, at least Jessica’s condition prevents her assimilation, and that’s really as far as Pacheco goes, offering a minor concession to the idea of incorporating the crossover without letting it swamp her plots. These are largely dependent on Jess not trusting her friends to help her out of her predicament, and something that might otherwise be a logical flaw is shouted from the rooftops over the opening chapter’s teaming with Captain Marvel.

As before, Pere Pérez is a decent artist who does everything necessary without making that extra leap to becoming spectacular. However, the trade off is reliability, as he draws everything over the first two volumes of this series, rendering the curse of the fill-in artist unnecessary.

An enraged Jessica rampages over several chapters during which family is central, although not always hers, as an alliance with enemy Octavia Vermis is temporarily useful. Cloning is another theme well played out via a cold-hearted individual, and this time things do work their way to a satisfactory resolution. Were the series to end with King in Black all would be well, but the good news is there’s more of the same in Back to Basics.

The relevant chapters here are also found in the King in Black Omnibus.