Marvel; $4.99  

Spider-Woman is back and she's found herself a doozy of a case.  

Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman has been working as an investigator for a newspaper and the latest case points to the return of an old enemy. Big time gangsters and low level thugs are turning up dead, and Jessica thinks she knows who's behind it. Her investigation uncovers a few surprises that point to a larger issue than a turf war between rival crime families.  

On top of that, Jessica is fighting battles within herself. She bonded with Carnage and is finding that the symbiote's lust for violence is impacting her job. 

The new Spider-Woman series starts strong. Writer Dan Watters is already weaving several threads into the story. She's on a case that involves a lot of dangerous people, and she's hindered by an entity that would rather see her kill opponents than simply neutralize them. Now, she seeks to stop a killer and prevent innocent people from being harmed in the process. Then there's another wild card (no spoilers!) that has entered the picture. 

Watters' ambitious first issue is well matched by artist Andrea Broccardo and colorist Mattia Iacono. They deliver a great amount of scene-setting detail, and the action sequences pop with energy. The art team sets a dramatic tone when needed through closeup shots, mood lighting, and panel structure. 

The first issue hits hard, and I'm looking forward to the next shot. 

–Amanda Sheriff