ALL-NEW SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST-SPIDER #8 (MARVEL COMICS)
A gunman is dead after Ghost Spider stops him from robbing a fundraiser….or is he?
That is the question plaguing the soul of Gwen Stacy. She has never crossed that line. Now, Gwen must figure out the truth hiding behind the smoke and mirrors of MYSTERIO!
ALL-NEW SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST-SPIDER #8 by Stephanie Phillips, Paolo Villanelli, Matt Milla, & Ariana Maher (MARVEL COMICS) challenges a young hero like never before.
Let’s take a closer look at what plays out now.
ALL-NEW SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST-SPIDER #8 by Stephanie Phillips, Paolo Villanelli, Matt Milla, & Ariana Maher (MARVEL COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Phillips opens with a somber look at Ghost-Spider coming to terms with what transpired. The inclusion of her father adds a calming voice to cypher into the truth. What results is pure theater (literally). Mysterio’s meeting with Hammerhead falls short of providing closure to the matter. The end result is a daring move by the King of Illusions. Hammerhead wants to bring whoever killed his enforcer down. That moment will have to wait with more bodies on the rise.
As the real Gwen gets her story moving, it is met with an even greater wild-card involved. The writing shows Spidey’s most deadliest foe being a voice of reason. As wild as that statement is, Phillips pulls it off flawlessly. Their encounter gives some cold truth to the lien of work they are it. Readers watch as Gwen is learning form a dangerous mentor in this aspect. Death is nothing new to this leader. Pointing out how fast Gwen has accepted it proves for a noteworthy point. This pushes into the closing sequence with a chilling perspective behind it. It leaves readers with a huge notion to ponder leading into next round.
MORE MARVEL FROM STEPHANIE PHILLIPS!
Villanelli & Milla begin with Mysterio’s ruse in the city morgue. Milla’s coloring adds to the morbid background. Her “talk” with her dad hits on the emotional weight carries. Readers watch as Mysterio makes a dramatic entrance that’s met with some pushback. Hammerhead’s full image reflecting off Mysterio’s bowl shows his frustration in solving his soldier's murderer. This leads into a wild two-page spread, showing Mysterio turning the tables. Did anyone expect him to leave quietly or any other way?
Gwen’s attempt to stop another robbery plays out with some solid action. One page sees her haunted by the dead gunman’s ghost. It is a chilling visual that’s interrupted by her mentor in dealing with this issue. Their talk allows Gwen to open up with a burst of emotions. Readers watch as it’s answered by a cold response. Considering who is speaking, this isn’t that far-fetched. The story pushes forward with a good departing place until next time. A full page reveals the terrifying truth of this matter: the action may not be as bad as who understands it.
FINAL GRADE: 8.2
Heavy is the weight of what can go wrong in Ghost-Spider fighting crime in this steady chapter. Phillips writing brings out the best (and worst) in Mysterio and Gwen’s turmoil. The art team don’t water down the repercussions of searching for truth. Whenever Mysterio is involved, the status is always “complicated”. Check it out.
Let me know your thoughts on ALL-NEW SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST-SPIDER #8 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
