Comic Review: Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1 – A Return to Roots Amid Spider-Chaos

 

After the conclusion of the second Spider-Gwen volume, which ran for 34 issues, Gwen Stacy from Earth-65 returns with a fresh look, a new name Ghost-Spider and a new beginning. This relaunch coincides with a major Marvel event, Spider-Geddon, which gives the story some scale, but also burdens it with tie-in expectations. Fortunately, Ghost-Spider #1 proves that a comic can still succeed as a personal, standalone story and that’s its greatest strength.

Gwen Stacy Returns On Her Own Terms

The issue opens right where the last volume left off Gwen has just been released from prison. It’s a symbolic moment, not only for the character who’s literally regaining her freedom but also for the series itself, as it transitions from a closed chapter into a new phase.

From the very first pages, it’s clear that writer Seanan McGuire chose a more personal tone for this story. Gwen is returning to everyday life hungry, broke, but determined. She quickly runs into Harry Osborn, who in this Earth-65 version acts surprisingly… normal, considering his previous transformation into the Lizard. Their quiet lunch scene is one of those small but effective character moments that bring emotional depth and a human dimension to the story.

When Spider-Ham suddenly appears to pull Gwen into the Spider-Geddon conflict, the pacing kicks into high gear. Gwen ends up on an unfamiliar Earth, where she encounters a new version of the Green Goblin who, interestingly, looks like Mary Jane. After a brief fight, this Earth’s Peter Parker arrives, and Gwen reveals her identity to him. The issue ends on a promising cliffhanger, teasing new dynamics in the issues to come.

Character Over Chaos

Despite the cosmic backdrop of Spider-Geddon, this issue focuses heavily on Gwen’s internal struggles her attempt to adjust to life after prison, and her reflections on the meaning of being a superhero. It’s an unusual approach for a tie-in, which could easily have been just exposition for a bigger event. But McGuire uses the opportunity to give Gwen real emotional depth not just as a superhero, but as a flawed young woman dealing with guilt and consequences.

The tone here is reminiscent of the best moments from Miles Morales or early Peter Parker comics. Gwen isn’t perfect she fights, she stumbles, she questions what’s next. And that honesty makes her a character worth rooting for.

Visual Style – Neon Noir

Rosi Kämpe, the artist behind this issue, presents a style best described as “soft neon noir.” While some fans may miss the more stylized look of the previous volume, Kämpe gives the series a fresh visual identity warm, colorful, but tinged with unease.

Colorist Ian Herring works beautifully alongside her the palette shifts between soft pastels and deep shadows, creating a mood that perfectly reflects Gwen’s duality: caught between light and darkness. Special praise is due for the way Gwen’s expressions are conveyed, even behind the mask Kämpe masterfully uses eye shapes and body language to express emotion.

What falls a bit short are the fight scenes. The showdown with the Goblin, despite an interesting character design, feels chaotic. The action lacks fluidity and drama the panels come off as a bit stiff, and don’t clearly convey movement. The result? Rather than feeling exciting, the fight can be disorienting. Fortunately, the stronger dialogue scenes more than make up for it.

A New Chapter or a Direct Continuation?

Ghost-Spider #1 is both a new beginning and a natural continuation of what came before. It doesn’t ignore Gwen’s past her time in prison, her identity crisis, and her complex relationship with Harry are all acknowledged. Yet it clearly aims to refresh her character not only visually, but emotionally.

There’s also a bit of a “branding shift” at play Marvel clearly wants Gwen to align more with her animated versions (Marvel Rising, Across the Spider-Verse, etc.). She’s brighter, more heroic but thankfully, she hasn’t lost her personality in the process.

A Tie-In With Substance

In the world of comic book events, tie-ins are often forgettable filler or shallow background noise for the main plot. Ghost-Spider #1 thankfully avoids those pitfalls. While it references Spider-Geddon, it reads perfectly well on its own and that’s what makes it work.

McGuire writes Gwen with empathy and a strong understanding of the character she knows what makes her unique. Meanwhile, Kampe and Herring craft a world that, despite being an alternate reality, feels vivid, grounded, and relatable.

Final Thoughts

Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1 is an emotional and solid return for one of Marvel’s most compelling young heroes. It’s not revolutionary it doesn’t shake up the universe or drop major plot bombs but it focuses on what matters: characters, emotions, and personal choices. In a world of cosmic wars and infinite multiverses, a grounded, human story like this is a welcome breath of fresh air.

It’s not perfect the action scenes are lacking, and some Spider-Geddon references are a bit rushed but it’s still a highly readable and promising start.

My Score: 7/10

 Pros:

+Strong characterization of Gwen Stacy

+Thoughtful, emotional approach to superhero themes

+Art style suits the tone of the series

+Can be read without full Spider-Geddon knowledge

+Intriguing design for the alternate Green Goblin

+Cliffhanger ending sparks curiosity

 Cons:

-Action scenes are chaotic and lack energy

-Plot jumps may confuse new readers

-Harry Osborn’s recovery feels too convenient

-Some Spider-Geddon references lack proper context