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Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman is another superheroine character created by Marvel Comics. However, there are various individuals who used this name in the Marvel Universe including Jessica Drew, Julia Carpenter, Mattie Franklin, and Charlotte Witter. They are all based on the character Spider-Man.
Jessica Drew as Spider-Woman
Real Name: Jessica Miriam Drew
Nicknames: Red, Webs and Webby (Spider-Woman); Jessie (Jessica Drew)
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 130 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Dyed Black
Aliases: Arachne, Ariadne Hyde, Dark Angel, Dark Angel of San Francisco, Spider-Woman
Current Occupation: Avenger
Former Occupation: Hydra Agent; Bounty Hunter; Private Investigator
Group Affiliation: the Secret Avengers; formerly Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra
Known Allies: The Shroud, Werewolf by Night, Spider-Man, Avengers
Usual Bases: New York
Former Bases: Wundagore, London, Los Angeles, Madripoor
Known Relatives: Jonathan (father, deceased), Merriem (mother, deceased)
Education: Did not complete high school
Jessica Drew first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 (February 1977) and was created by Archie Goodwin, Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney. She’s known as the original and current Spider-Woman. She had a regular series called Spider-Woman with fifty issues, and was a former Hydra agent and private investigator. Now she was reborn and revived as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and as a member of the New Avengers.
Jessica Drew got her Spider-Woman powers when she accidentally gets sick with uranium poisoning in 1931 (she was a young girl then). Her father, Dr. Jonathan Drew was the research partner of Dr. Herbert Edgar Wyndham, who was also known as the High Evolutionary. From mining uranium, they both co-founded the distant high-tech city-state of Wundagore.
Unfortunately, Dr. Jonathan’s young daughter, Jessica became sick from the uranium exposure. Desperately, he was forced to inject his child with an experimental spider-serum from irradiated spiders' blood, and sealed her in a genetic accelerator to trigger her recovery. While in the accelerator, she aged at a decelerated rate. When she was finally released, decades later, Drew was only seventeen years old. Neither Jonathan nor his wife Merriem lived to see Jessica finally emerge many years later, healed, but with no memories or knowledge.
Jessica grew up on Mount Wundagore under the care of Bova. She eventually left when she did not appear to fit in. She had unknowingly uncanny powers gained as a side-effect of her genetically-enhanced recovery process. Her first few years were confusing as she adjusted to life among other humans, until angry people despised her. She was rescued by Count Otto Vermis, who was in fact an agent of Hydra, the terrorist organisation. Too inexperienced to know that evil is not good, Jessica was tricked into joining them, taking the code name Arachne. Through brainwashing and manipulation by them, she was convinced that she was not human but actually an evolved spider. Eventually, Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. showed her the mistake of her ways and revealed Vermis as a cold-blooded killer; Jessica immediately abandoned Hydra, and set out on her own.
Now going by the name Spider-Woman, Jessica used her new identity to track down her father's killer, so she fled to London. During this time, Jessica was recaptured by Hydra and brainwashed into working for them again. After breaking free of Hydra’s brainwashing, Jessica came into contact with the sorcerer, Magnus, who would become one of her strongest allies, and his arch nemesis, Morgan le Fay. Magnus provided information that would lead Jessica to relocate to Los Angeles where she began her career as a costumed crime fighter. Nick Fury helped her to gain her private investigator license, despite her shady background.
In her early days as Spider-Woman, Jessica chose to keep her presence in Los Angeles a secret. She fought some super-powered foes while forming allies such as Werewolf by Night and the Shroud. Her search led her to the Hatros Institute and her first true job working as a secretary but lost it when she encountered Nekra.
Without a job, Jessica momentarily considered stealing, but at the last instant decided to stop it. She came into contact with Spider-Man, who advised her to use her super-powers and abilities to help others in need. Jessica chose to follow his advice and become a bounty huntress together with former FBI specialist, Scotty McDowell, who later became the Hornet. Unfortunately, their working relationship failed.
During an epic battle against LeFay, Jessica became stranded on the astral plane, and was only to return years later with the aid of Tigra, Doctor Strange, and several of the Avengers. She helped the Avengers a couple of times, saving the life of Giant-Man, before moving to Madripoor with her friend, B-grade actress Lindsay McCabe. By this stage, Jessica had lost her bio-sting and immunity powers. Regardless, she still managed to assist Wolverine in a number of adventures in Madripoor.
Jessica recently returned to New York when Charlotte Witter, a villainess created by Doctor Octopus, going by the name of Spider-Woman, stole and absorbed her remaining powers. After a confusing series of battles and power-exchanges involving Julia Carpenter (the second Spider-Woman) and Mattie Franklin (the fourth Spider-Woman), Jessica seems to have regained her formidable abilities, although there is some evidence that they are rather unstable.
Julia Carpenter as Spider-Woman
Real Name: Julia Cornwall Carpenter
Marital Status: Divorced and currently single
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 140 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Reddish Blonde
Aliases: Spider-Woman; considered using Ariadne and currently as Arachne
Current Occupation: Full time mother, otherwise currently unrevealed
Former Occupation: Government agent for the Commission on Superhuman Activities (CSA)
Group Affiliation: Formerly Avengers, Queen's Vengeance, Force Works, Secret Defenders, CSA, Freedom Force
Known Allies: Madame Web, Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman I), Martha "Mattie" Franklin (Spider-Woman III)
Usual Bases: U.S.A.
Former Bases: Avengers West Coast (Avengers Compound, Los Angeles), Force Works (The Works)
Known Relatives: Rachel Carpenter (daughter), Walter Cornwall (father), Elizabeth Cornwall (mother), Larry Carpenter (ex-husband, deceased)
Education: College dropout
Julia Carpenter was a former Avengers member, and now called Arachne. She’s known as the second Spider-Woman created by writer Jim Shooter and artist Mike Zeck. Julia first appeared in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #6 (October 1984) and in full appearance in Secret Wars #7 (November 1984).
Julia Carpenter was a normal tennis player, mother, and homemaker before a mysterious group known as the Commission on Superhuman Activities (CSA) decided to use her in its super powers experiments. Led by her old college friend, federal agent Valerie Cooper, with promises of a large income, Julia, who was in trouble financially at that time, was led to become an agent. During the experiment, they accidentally injected Julia with a mix of spider venom and exotic Amazon plant extracts, which gave Julia powers very similar to those of Spider-Man. She became an operative of the CSA as Spider-Woman.
During the first Secret Wars when the Beyonder pulled the city of Denver, Colorado into outer space, he also pulled in Julia who was living in the city at the time. Seeing the fighting taking place, now in a Spider-Woman outfit and unwittingly inspired Spider-Man's alien costume's design, Julia volunteered to help with the super heroes against the Beyonder. After returning from the Battleworld, Spider-Woman joined Freedom Force at Val Cooper's insistence, but she soon left the group when they arrested the Avengers. She became a member of the West Coast Avengers for a number of years.
They fought against a group of super villains called the Death Web, which made up of three super powers created by the CSA. After a time on the run, Julie was placed under the authority of Mike Clemson, founder of Death Web. Clemson kept her a fugitive while she worked for the government, causing her to lose custody of Rachel, her daughter, because she could not explain her absences. When the super villain group Death Web kidnapped Rachel in an attempt to force Spider-Woman to join them, Julie teamed with Spider-Man. Rachel was saved, but the mastermind behind Death Web, the Manipulator, induced her ex-husband, Larry to have a fatal heart attack. But it was Spider-Woman who ultimately triumphed in the end, defeating the Death Web along with their leader, the Manipulator.
When the Avengers West Coast disbanded, she joined Force Works super-team. She became romantically involved with the mysterious Moonraker. Though the super-team disbanded soon, Julia put away her costume to try and lead a normal life for herself and her daughter, Rachel. Like Jessica Drew (the original Spider-Woman), Julia was also attacked by a rival criminal Spider-Woman, Charlotte Witter had her powers stolen. Witter desired to become the new Spider-Woman with their combined powers believing that with the powers of the previous Spider-Women, she'd be unstoppable. The attack left Julia in a wheelchair. Aided by the young new Spider-Woman, Mattie Franklin, Witter lost possession of the stolen powers and Julia returned to the life of a normal mother.
Julia changed her name to Arachne in order to avoid confusion because of different Spider-Women running around at the time. She has been recruited as part of superhero training in light of the Superhuman Registration Act's passage. She was assigned to work with Wonder Man and Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers). However, she is opposed to the registration and has been tipping off a number of heroes. She also seems to be in a relationship with the Shroud (Max Coleridge), an unregistered superhero.
Mattie Franklin as Spider-Woman
Real Name: Martha "Mattie" Franklin
Nicknames: Mattie, Matt
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 123 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Current Aliases: Mattie
Former Aliases: Spider-Man
Occupation: High School Student
Group Affiliation: Formerly Gathering of Five
Known Allies: Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman I), Julia Carpenter (Spider-Woman II), Madame Web, Spider-Man
Known Relatives: Jeremy Franklin (father) - Note: "Aunt" Marla Madison and "Uncle Jonah" Jameson are not blood relatives
Known Confidants: Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman I), Julia Carpenter (Spider-Woman II), Madame Web
Known Relatives: Jerry Franklin (father, deceased), J. Jonah Jameson (uncle), Marla Jameson (auntie), John Jameson (cousin)
Education: currently in high school
Mattie Franklin is the third woman to use the name Spider-Woman. She first appeared in Spectacular Spider-Man #263 (November 1998) and in full appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #440 (1998). However, her first appearance as Spider-Woman was in Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #5. Mattie was created by John Byrne and Rafael Kayanan.
Mattie was 15 years old, raised by her strict father after her mother passed away. She was more of a tomboy and even took the name Matt. Over the years Mattie and her father had serious problems that resulted of her running away several times. She endowed her powers after overhearing a phone call between her father and Norman Osborn about the “Gathering of Five”, she took her father's place during the Gathering and was invested with superpowers like flight, super strength, and other various powers similar to that of Spider-Man.
The "Gathering of Five" ritual involves 5 people biding for power through combining of 5 ancient artifacts, Mattie obtained the gift of Power and used it while Spider-Man was temporarily retired. Being a huge Spider-Man fan, she wore a padded version of his costume and substituted for him. Still wanting to be a hero after Spider-Man's return, she took the title of the new Spider-Woman.
Later Charlotte Witter, a villain also going by the name of Spider-Woman, stole Mattie's powers as well as those of the previous two Spider-Women (Jessica Drew and Julia Carpenter). With the help of Jessica, Julia and Madame Web, Mattie was able to defeat Witter and gain her powers back. When her powers were returned to her she also received the powers of Jessica and Julia including Jessica's Venom Blasts and Julia's Psionic webbing.
With the blessing of Jessica Drew and Julia Carpenter, she resumed the Spider-Woman mantle. Mattie eventually settled with her Aunt Marla Madison, and Uncle J. Jonah Jameson, both close friends with her father, and began fighting crime in the city. She was sent to a boarding school, and fought several new villains.
Mattie's father died, making her living arrangement with the Jamesons more permanent, as they became her foster parents. Eventually, Mattie wasn't seen for quite a while, and eventually went missing. She broke into Jessica Jones apartment in a drugged stupor, but quickly fled. Investigating more, Jessica discovered Mattie was being harvested for drugs by her boyfriend, Denny Haynes and kept sedated. Apparently, Mattie was being used as a source for Mutant Growth Hormone, a power-inducing drug that requires a super-powered individual's genetic material. She was rescued by Jessica Drew and Jessica Jones. Jessica Drew is once again the current Spider-Woman, and it is assumed Mattie has retired.
Charlotte Witter as Spider-Woman
Real name Charlotte Witter
Marital Status: Single
Hair: Blonde
Notable Aliases: Spider-Woman
Occupation: Fashion designer, professional criminal
Previous Affiliations: Doctor Octopus
Base of Operations: New York City
Known Relatives: Cassandra Webb (aka Madame Web, grandmother)
Charlotte Witter was the only villain to use the name of Spider-Woman in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 #5 and was created by Howard Mackie and John Byrne.
Charlotte Witter is the granddaughter of the psychic Cassandra Webb, also known as Madame Web. Charlotte was a fashion designer who also engaged in black market deals. The black market is the sector of economic activity involving illegal economic dealings, typically the buying and selling of merchandise illegally. Her shady business brought her into contact with Dr. Octopus.
She became the evil Spider-Woman when he was kidnapped by Dr. Octopus and did Genetic tests and manipulation making her a mutant under his evil ways. Charlotte mutated into a human/spider hybrid with the ability to drain powers. She was sent out to absorb the powers of the other Spider-Women (Jessica Drew, Julia Carpenter and Mattie Franklin), and then was supposed to kill Spider-Man.
During a climactic battle, Mattie reabsorbed all those powers, leaving Charlotte powerless. In their last encounter, it seemed Charlotte's powers had begun to return. Nevertheless, Charlotte was defeated by Mattie and institutionalized. Mattie became the new Spider-Woman.
Spider-Woman's Alter-Ego
Spider-Woman I
The real name of the original and current Spider-Woman is Jessica Miriam Drew and was born in London, England. She was British by birth but now a naturalized U.S. citizen. Her parents were Dr. Jonathan and Merriem Drew.
In her early days as Spider-Woman, Jessica chose to keep her existence a secret. She uses her identity to track down her father's killer and to save people who need help.
Spider-Woman II
The alter-ego of the second Spider-Woman is Julia Cornwall Carpenter. She’s an American citizen and was born in Los Angeles, California. She’s currently a full-time single mother after her retirement as Spider-Woman.
Spider-Woman III
Her alter-ego is Martha Franklin and simply called Mattie by her friends. She’s also an American citizen and was born in New York City, New York. While doing her duties and responsibilities as Spider-Woman she’s going to school as a high school student.
Spider-Woman IV
A Fashion designer and professional criminal; her real name is Charlotte Witter, an American citizen with criminal record. Her identity as an evil Spider-Woman was also kept secret.
Special Powers and Abilities
Spider-Woman: Jessica Drew
· Superhuman strength (can lift up to 7 tons)
· Enhanced durability, speed, agility, reflexes
and senses.
· Hyper acute hearing.
· Immunity to all poisons, drugs and radiations
after an initial exposure.
· Ability to adhere to walls or to almost any
surface through bio-electric attraction.
· She can focus her bioelectric energy into
"venom blasts" sufficient to stun or kill normal humans (25 foot
range, 1 hour re-charge).
· Her metabolism generates pheromones which
attract human males while repelling females, though she uses a “chemical spray"
which neutralises the effect.
· Jessica is an experienced fighter and excellent
investigator.
· Flight. The collapsible "wings" of
her Hydra-designed costume allowed her to "fly" by gliding on air
currents.
Spider-Woman: Julia Carpenter
· Julia possessed
enhanced strength, speed, stamina, agility and reflexes of a spider. Her superhuman
strength levels class 10 to 15. It has been estimated that she can lift 10
tons.
· She’s able to jump
extremely high and far distances.
· She could stick to
walls in a manner similar to Spider-Man. She could cling to and crawl across
any surface, even scaling sheer walls.
· Power to create webs
out of psychokinetic energy through her hands and feet. Create webs of psionic energy able to
hold up to 10 tons. The web must be anchored by at least two surfaces, which
she often wove into adhesive "psi-webs" to snare her targets.
· Good hand-to-hand
combatant.
· Resistance to poison.
· Also used Avengers
Quinjet and Freedom Force Helicopter as means of transportation.
· The only piece of
equipment Julia used was her costume.
Spider-Woman: Mattie Franklin
· Heighten strength, speed, reflexes, stamina and agility. She can lift up to 10 tons.
· Power
of flight. She can fly at a normal speed and float several feet from the
ground.
· Mattie has the
cumulative powers of the previous Spider-Women like Spider-Woman I Venom
Blasts, Spider-Woman II Psionic Webs, Madame Web's telepathic
abilities and Charlotte Witter's ability to generate spider-legs from
her back.
· Mattie can stick to
walls, another power that she got from Jessica Drew Spider-Woman I.
· She has an almost obsessive knowledge of
Spider-Man.
· Possesses extrasensory powers too.
Spider-Woman: Charlotte Witter
· Superhuman strength, speed, and agility
· Ability to fly
· Ability to adhere to walls
· Bio-electric "venom blasts"
· Psionically-created "psi-webs"
· Psychic spider legs that sprout from her back
· Extrasensory powers
· Precognitive flashes and telepathy
· Psionic detection.
Spider-Woman's Major Enemies
Spider-Woman: Jessica Drew
· The Brothers Grimm: (Percy & Barton Grimes) first appeared in Spider-Woman #3. They are Spider-Woman’s enemies and both used their powers to take revenge on business rivals, and were opposed by Iron Man II.
· Gypsy Moth: Spider-Woman’s conflict with Gypsy Moth started when Gypsy used her powers to weave herself wings and a disguise, and began to scour the haunts of the rich and famous in search of her errant lover.
· Hammer and Anvil: (Leroy Jackson and Johnny Anvil) were Spider Woman and Spider Man’s enemies. Hammer was shot in the head; due to symbiotic link by chain and this indirectly killed Anvil.
· Morgan Le Fay: In modern times, Morgan's astral form has battled Spider-Woman and the Avengers. She briefly altered the world to her own twisted version with the team serving as her Queen's Vengeance.
· Nekra: Originally with the aid of Mandrill, they attempted to overthrow national governments. Later she became high priestess of Kali in New York City, and worked with Grim Reaper and the Lethal Legion.
· Silver Samurai: Served the Viper, an agent of the terrorist organization Hydra, as her bodyguard. In that capacity, Silver Samurai battled opponents such as Spider-Woman, Spider-Man, the martial arts master Shang-Chi, and the team of mutant trainee heroes the New Mutants.
· Viper: Happened to battle Spider-Woman when the latter stumbled onto one of Viper's plots during her career as a private investigator in San Francisco. Viper, under the influence of Chthon, believed herself to be Merriem Drew, Spider-Woman's mother. Chthon sought to use Viper as a weapon against Spider-Woman and briefly replaced the Viper's right eye with a black orb capable of projecting others into a magical dimension.
Spider-Woman: Julia Carpenter
· The Seekers
· Wrecking Crew
· Mystique
· Death Web
· Charlotte Witter
Spider-Woman: Mattie Franklin
· Evil Spider-woman: The evil Spider-woman is Charlotte Witter, who was a fashion designer with some pretty dark dealings. She was able to absorb the powers of the previous Spider-Woman, and then destroys Spider-Man. During a battle with Mattie Franklin, Charlotte's powers were transferred to Mattie leading Mattie to take up being Spider-Woman again.
· Flesh and Bones: Spider-Woman encounters Flesh and Bone working for Dolmon Grey also known as Shadraq. A battle broke out between them, causing Flesh and Bones connection to be broken. Since then Flesh has been searching for Bones and feeding off of other people. She has now made a pack with Itch and Scratch to get herself back on her feet. Leading to the rebirth of Bones and wanting to take their revenge on Spider-Woman.
· Shadowcaster: Shadowcaster made a deal with an ancient god for incredible powers and immortality and was freed in the modern world which he tried to reestablish his powers. But he vanished following his defeat at the hands of Spider-Woman yet he intends to bring the last dynasty of Egypt to the modern world, where he will supremely rule.
· Cluster: Cluster is sent to other planets to see if the race is a threat and if so, they will conquer them. Spider-Woman was able to destroy Cluster's ship and ended the threat of the aliens, but they are now aware of the threat of Earth, and will return someday.
· Shadraq: Originally the costume villain named Overide. Overide merged with Dolmon, leading to his final death, and passing the powers of Shadraq to Dolmon. Dolmon intends to get all the shards from the Gathering of the Five, and use them to reestablish his powers and heal himself.
· Itch and Scratch: Itch and Scratch are the parents of Flesh and Bones and both possess great mind powers and magical abilities. They didn't show up until recently when the powerless Flesh was searching for Bones. They showed up offering to help their daughter and to get rid of Spider-Woman.
· Nighteyes: Nighteyes was robbing priceless jewelry from people. His plans fell apart when Spider-Woman showed up and defeated him. He intends to get revenge on the one person who ruins his scheme, Spider-Woman.
Spider-Woman: Charlotte Witter
· Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman
I)
· Julia Carpenter (Spider-Woman
II)
· Mattie Franklin
(Spider-Woman III)
· Madame Web
· Spider-Man
Other Appearances of Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman: Jessica Drew
a. TELEVISION CARTOON
Spider-Woman 1979-1980: Featuring Jessica Drew, launched on ABC's Saturday Morning Cartoon. Jessica was voiced by Joan Van Ark. The cartoon differs somewhat from the comic book and lasted for one season of sixteen episodes.
b. LIVE ACTION SHOW
Once A Hero: A short-lived TV series with Spider-Woman (cameo role).
c. VIDEO GAMES
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Spider-Woman: Julia Carpenter
a. TELEVISION CARTOON
Iron Man animated series 1994: Featuring Julia Carpenter as part of the team loosely based on the comic and super team, Force Works. Spider-Woman was voiced by Jennifer Hale.
b. VIDEO GAMES
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
c. COMICS (significant Issues)
· Secret Wars (Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars
#6-12, 1984-1985)
· Joined Freedom Force (Uncanny X-Men #206,
1986)
· Betrayed Freedom Force for Avengers (Avengers
Annual #15, 1986)
· Joined Avengers (Avengers West Coast #70-74,
1991)
· Fought Death Web & Manipulator, Larry
Carpenter slain (Avengers West Coast #84-86, 1992)
· Left Avengers for Force Works (avengers West
Coast #102/Force Works #1, 1994)
Spider-Woman: Mattie Franklin
COMICS (significant Issues)
· Spectacular Spider-Man # 263 (cameo)
· Amazing
Spider-Man # 441 (full appearance)
· Amazing
Spider-Man Vol. 2 #5 (# 446)
· Spider-Woman
Volume 3 # 1
· Complete list of Spider-Woman's (Mattie
Franklin) appearances
Spider-Woman: Charlotte Witter
COMICS (significant Issues)
· Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 # 5 (# 446) - First
Appearance
· Spider-Man Vol. 2 # 5 (# 103)
· Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 # 6 (# 447)
· Spider-Woman Volume 3 # 1
· Spider-Woman Volume 3 # 2
· Spider-Woman Volume 3 # 3
· Spider-Woman Volume 3 # 8
· Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 # 14 (# 455)
· Spider-Woman Vol. 3 # 9
Comic Appearance
Photoshoot Appearance
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