Spidey and Kamala swap genders and lives in Marvel Team-Up No. 2
By Alex Widen
Image by Marvel Comics
Has the Villain Been Patiently Waiting for Them to Catch Up?
Unfortunately, the issue hasn’t had its designated allotment of superhero action, so both Spidey and Ms. Marvel spot some overdressed crooks robbing toxic chemicals. Seriously, the thugs are dressed like Solo cosplayers, and it’s hilarious that in the Marvel Universe, toxic waste plants get robbed as often as liquor stores. After all, one random accident or unfortunate animal bite is all it takes to become a demigod. Regardless, Spidey and Kamala take on the crooks in each other’s bodies, and make a mess of it.
Peter finds himself utterly unable to make Ms. Marvel’s size altering and elasticity powers work. Meanwhile, Kamala’s utterly horrible at the web-shooters and doesn’t pay attention to the “spider-sense.” The pair are lucky to escape with their lives and barely manage to untie a security guard. Hopefully nobody caught their misadventure on video! Peter continues to plan for a cure whenever Yesenia gets back to him, but it turns out the Jackal has kidnapped her while they were busy!
Image by Marvel Comics
To her credit, Eve L. Ewing seems like she is trying to do a “meeting of the minds,” here, pun intended. Spider-Man represented the “every man,” at least before the turn of the century. Kamala, meanwhile, currently has the finger on the pulses of readers under 25, especially women of color. Some readers might even sense a vibe similar to that of the Spider-Man: Enter The Spider-Verse film. Peter, as an over-experienced yet underachieving loser of a superhero coasting on his rep showing the ropes to an awe-stricken younger hero who seems destined for greater things.
Image by Marvel Comics