Marvel Comics Will Introduce New “Gay Spider-Man” Variant In Upcoming Spider-Verse Series

In a move that should surprise absolutely no one, Marvel Comics is about to introduce another LGBT+ character to its dwindling readership, this time in the form of a multiversal variant of Spider-Man.

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As revealed in their recently released September solicitations, this new web-slinger is set to debut in the fifth and final issue of Marvel’s upcoming Edge of The Spider-Verse miniseries, whose story anthology will serve as a prequel. to the long-running Spider-Verse. One-man author Dan Slott previously announced plans to “end” the concept of the Spider-Multiverse and send it “into a burst of glory.”

Created by writer Steve Foxe (X-Men ’92: House of XCII) and artist Kristafer Anka (All-New X-Factor), Web-Weaver is described as “a not-so-gentle-mannered fashion designer at Van Dyne [who] gets spider powers and shows us a very different kind of Spider-Slayer”.

Source: Edge of Spider-Verse Vol. 2 #5 (2022), Marvel Comics. Cover by Josemaria Casanovas.

Following the number’s official public reveal, Foxe took to his personal Twitter to excitedly confirm: “SURPRISE: I had the huge gay honor of helping co-create WEB-WEAVER, which will debut in EDGE OF THE SPIDER-VERSE #5 in September!

“Designed by the one and only @kristaferanka, cover by Josemaria Casanovas, with our interior artist coming soon!” he added.

Source: Steve Foxe’s Twitter

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Along with his tweet, Foxe also shared an image of the aforementioned cover of the issue, which, in addition to a Spider variant of Kraven the Hunter known as “Hunter-Spider”, gave readers their first glimpse of Web-Weaver.

In it, the hero is seen dressed in a yellow and black costume that features a number of interesting design choices, including a high ruffled collar, open flowing sleeves, and heavy eyelashes around the eyelets of his mask.

Web-Weaver also poses somewhat stereotypically.

Source: Spider-Verse Vol. 1 #2 “It’s the Little Things” (2015), Marvel Comics. Lyrics by Dan Slott, illustrations by Ty Templeton and Paco Herrera.

Notably, some fans and major outlets including CBR and ScreenRant have begun referring to Web-Weaver as Marvel’s “first gay Spider-Man” – with the latter outlet even claiming that “it’s high time the community LGBTQ+ is represented”. there more and more.

But is this really the case?

Source: Edge of Spider-Verse Vol. 2 #4 (2022), Marvel Comics. Cover by Josemaria Casanovas.

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The concept of the Spider-Verse hinges on the existence of different variations of Spider-Man, Peter Parker or otherwise, across different universes.

While it’s possible that Web-Weaver was intended to be a version of the real wall-crawler, a closer look at the problem’s solicitation suggests that might not be the case, because Marvel is letting it. specifically refers to as “a very different type of spider”. -Killer”.

Source: Edge of Spider-Verse Vol. 2 #2 (2022), Marvel Comics. Cover by Josemaria Casanovas.

This part emerges from the fact that the Spider-Slayers were originally portrayed as villains, commanded by J. Jonah Jameson and built by inventor Spencer Smythe to, well, kill Spider-Man.

Does the description say Web-Weaver is supposed to be one of them? If so, wouldn’t that mean he’s not really analogous to Spider-Man, but more like villains-turned-heroes like Venom or the Prowler?

Source: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #317 “The Sand and the Fury” (1989), Marvel Comics. Lyrics by David Michelinie, illustrations by Todd McFarlane.

Also, while Web-Weaver may be the first gay male variant of Spider, he’s not the first in Marvel history.

This would be Earth-8545’s Mary-Jane Watson, who debuted as Spider-Woman in Exiles Vol. 1 #20 and eventually fell in love with the version of Sunfire that was on the reality team’s roster.

Source: Exiles Vol. 1 #34 “A Second Farewell: Part 2 of 2” (2003), Marvel Comics. Lyrics by Judd Winick, illustrations by Jim Calafiore, Mark McKenna and Transparency Digital.

Maybe I didn’t read the description well, or maybe there’s something else I’m missing. Anyway, those who want to know if Web-Weaver is indeed the first gay Spider-Man can read the comic when it comes out in September.

What do you think of Web-Weaver? Let us know your thoughts on social media or in the comments below!

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