In a move that should surprise absolutely no one, Marvel Comics is set to introduce yet another LGBT+ character to their dwindling readership, this time in the form of a multiversal Spider-Man variant.
As revealed in their recently published September solicits, 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 anthology of stories will serve as a prelude to long-time Spider-Man author Dan Slott’s previously announced plans to “end” the concept of the Spider-Multiverse and send it out “in a blaze 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-mild mannered fashion designer at Van Dyne [who] gets spider-powers and shows us a very different kind of Spider-Slayer”.
Following the issue’s official public reveal, Foxe took to his personal Twitter to excitedly confirm, “SURPRISE: I had the huge gay honor of helping to co-create WEB-WEAVER, who’ll make his debut in EDGE OF THE SPIDER-VERSE #5 this September!”
“Designed by the one and only @kristaferanka, cover by Josemaria Casanovas, with our interior artist to be revealed soon!” he added.
RELATED: Marvel Comics To Introduce New Transgender Mutant Hero Escapade
Alongside his tweet, Foxe also shared an image of the issue’s aforementioned cover, which in addition to a Spider-variant of Kraven the Hunter known as ‘Hunter-Spider’, presented readers with their first glimpse at Web-Weaver.
Therein, the hero can be seen wearing a yellow and black costume that features a number of interesting design choices, including a high collar with ruffle, open flowing sleeves, and heavy eyelashes around the eyeports on his mask.
Web-Weaver is also posed in a somewhat stereotypical fashion.
Notably, some fans and major outlets, including CBR and ScreenRant, have taken to refering to Web-Weaver as Marvel’s “first gay Spider-Man” – the latter outlet even asserting that “It’s long past time that the LGBTQ+ community gets to be represented there more and more.”
But is that really the case?
The concept of the Spider-Verse is built upon the existence of different variations of Spider-Man, Peter Parker or otherwise, across different universes.
While it’s possible that Web-Weaver is intended to be a version of the actual wall-crawler, a closer look at the issue’s solicit hints that this may not be the case, as Marvel specifically refers to him as “a very different kind of Spider-Slayer”.
This part sticks out due to the fact that Spider-Slayers were originally portrayed as villains, commissioned by J. Jonah Jameson and built by inventor Spencer Smythe to, well, slay Spider-Man.
Is the description saying Web-Weaver is supposed to be one of them? If so, then wouldn’t that mean he’s not really analogous to Spider-Man, but rather villains-turned-hero like Venom or the Prowler?
Further, while Web-Weaver may be the first gay male Spider-variant he is not the first one overall in Marvel history.
That would be the Mary-Jane Watson of Earth-8545, who made her debut as Spider-Woman in 2003’s Exiles Vol. 1 #20 and eventually came to fall in love with the version of Sunfire who was on the reality-hopping team’s roster.
Perhaps I’m not reading the description right, or perhaps there’s something else that I’m missing. Regardless, those who want to find out if Web-Weaver is indeed the first gay Spider-Man can read the comic book when it comes out in September.
What do you make of Web-Weaver? Let us know your thoughts on social media or in the comments down below!