Writer: Seanan McGuire

Art: Ig Guara & Ian Herring

Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 19th, 2020

Well, Seanan McGuire, your writing is as strong as ever. And the artistic talents of Ig Guara and Ian Herring were out in full force with Ghost-Spider #7. But somehow this reader is left wanting. It wrapped up nicely the bombshell from the previous issue, it progresses plot points in the mid arc to introduce villainous intent, but it has that feel of the dreaded filler issue.

That’s not to say that the writing is bad, far from it. The dialogue is snappy and quick, and most importantly oh so believably human. It flows so smoothly that the “To Be Continued…” was a genuine shock, no freaking way did I just read an issue. Where in the multidimensional galactic web did that issue go?

And that’s what is so fucking annoying about it. It’s enthralling, it’s mesmerizing, it’s like Firefly. Over far too bloody soon. The combined talents of McGuire and Guara are weaving a spell that picks you up, makes you chuckle with Gwen’s sassy comebacks and quick thinking quips, and then leaves you in a plane devoid of anything. If it was a trade paperback or a novel I’d be left with the worst case of literary blue balls. But this isn’t even perfunctory foreplay.

I love and hate this series in equal measure. I love it because it’s Spider-Gwen just with a new brand. I hate it because waiting month after month to feel like this after reading is bordering on masochistic.

Final Thoughts

Why? Why do I continue to do this to myself? Why can’t I just wait for the trades? Seanan McGuire’s status as a Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award winner is fully shown with the Ghost-Spider series. And combined with the beautiful artwork of Ig Guara you can’t go wrong. The pacing is bordering on a breakneck and it’s all so human that whilst completely fantastical it never really feels too far out of the realms of the possible.

8/10