Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)

Spider-Woman is the superhero identity most commonly associated with Jessica Drew, a Marvel Comics character introduced in 1977.

Spider-Woman is the superhero identity most commonly associated with Jessica Drew, a Marvel Comics character first appearing in Marvel Spotlight #32 in 1977. The codename has been used by several other characters, including Julia Carpenter and Mattie Franklin, as well as alternate-universe versions like Gwen Stacy. Jessica Drew has been depicted as a superhero, spy, and private investigator.

Publication history

Spider-Woman debuted in Marvel Spotlight #32 in 1977, created by Archie Goodwin and Marie Severin. She later received an ongoing comic series and became the first major Marvel character to use the Spider-Woman codename.

Fictional character biography

Jessica Drew has been portrayed with a revised origin across different versions of Marvel continuity. She has been associated with espionage, superhero activity, and private-investigator work, and has appeared both as an independent hero and in team settings such as the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and S.W.O.R.D.

Powers and abilities

Spider-Woman commonly possesses superhuman strength, agility, reflexes, and durability, along with wall-crawling and bio-electric attacks. Some versions also grant her pheromone-based abilities that can affect emotions like fear and attraction.

Other Marvel characters named Spider-Woman

The Spider-Woman name has been used by multiple Marvel characters beyond Jessica Drew, including Julia Carpenter and Mattie Franklin. Alternate-universe versions, including Gwen Stacy's Spider-Woman (often called Spider-Gwen), have also become prominent in later comics and adaptations.