Marvel celebrity Spider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseJessica “Jess” Drew Spider-Woman is a heroine who rides a motorcycle and is pregnant by the events of the film – now it turns out that she possesses a power unique among the spider-heroes of the multiverse. Currently, the heroes of the Spider Society are fighting the evil Sinister Squad, ending up captured and with energy-dampening collars installed that prevent them from letting go.
In Spider-Society #3 by Alex Segura, Ruairí Coleman, Matt Milla and Joe Caramagna, with all hope lost, Jess Drew reflects that Madame Web said her universe was difficult to feel, as if there was some kind of interference. Ghost-Spider realizes that if by Jess’ nature she disrupts Madame Web’s powers, She can also cancel out the Squad’s weapons, as they were built to target the Spider-Heroes of the multiverse..
Arana suggests firing a blast of venom while pulling on the leash. The collar does not stop Jess’s powers and is destroyed, allowing Jess to free the rest of the Spider Society. It seems that Jess Drew’s powers are different enough from other spider-heroes that she is immune to powers and technology designed to attack them..
Jess Drew is immune to weapons and anti-spider powers
Jess’s universe is mysteriously different from other worlds, making her powers unique
Jess Drew comes from Earth-332. Not much is known about this universe, as it only appears in Through the Spider-Verse and the comic Edge of the Spider-Verse #4. Since then Spider Society #1, Jess was described by Madame Web as a wild card and as a “secret weapon” that the Squadron Sinister won’t see coming of Spider-Man 2099, aka Miguel O’Hara, but the reason was kept secret.
Even Spider-Woman herself didn’t know why she was a secret weapon, and was only able to find out because Madame Web said it was difficult to detect her universe. It could be that since Jess’s universe was originally an animated universe, she may resonate on a different multiversal frequency than comic book-based universes. The universes in Through the Spider-Verse film are universes adjacent to those of the comics. For example, Ghost-Spider’s home universe is designated Earth-65 in the comics, while her film counterpart’s universe is designated Earth-65B. The fact that they have the same numerical designation, but are essentially different Earths, could suggest two different multiversal levels.
It’s also possible that Jess’ background or past adventures make her different. The Spider-Heroes of the multiverse are all ‘Spider Totems’ chosen in a mystical process, but their origins can differ greatly – for example, Peter Parker is less connected to magic because he has been empowered through scientific means. Something in Jess’s past could make her a similar extreme case, and therefore less subject to the rules and limitations of other Spider Totems.
Spider-Woman of the Spider-Verse could be the key to defeating multiversal spider-villains
The Sinister Squad doesn’t know who they’re dealing with
Whatever the reason, Jess Drew’s immunity may have just decided the fate of the multiverseas she allows her fellow heroes to return to battle. It is likely Spider-Society will continue to explore Spider-Woman’s unique immunity and origin, but it has already proven to be a huge advantage. In a situation like Spider-Verse, where villains are used to fighting heroes with the same basic powers, any difference can provide an advantage, and as it is revealed that the The Sinister Squad based its technology about rules that don’t apply to Jess Drew Spider-Womanshe is perfectly positioned to lead the fight against them.
Spider-Society #3 is available from Marvel Comics.
Miles Morales returns in Spider-Man: On the Other Side of the Spider-Verse, the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. With his identity still secure, but “terrified” by his parents, Miles Morales receives a visit from his friend from another dimension, Gwen Stacy. Inviting him on a new adventure, Miles seizes the opportunity but is apparently approached by an unknown assailant on his journey. Miles and Gwen will team up with Spider-Heroes new and old to face a villain of immeasurable power.