Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's Jessica Drew a.k.a. Spider-Woman has a unique origin story and a different set of abilities in Marvel Comics.
Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse introduces a new version of the first Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew. The Spider-Verse is filled with an infinite number of Spider-People who go through similar experiences and develop similar abilities while they juggle power and responsibility as superheroes. Most of the Spider-People in the multiverse are variations of Peter Parker, but plenty of them are also different characters with their own unique backstory and personality — from the anime-inspired Peni Parker to the futuristic Spider-Man 2099 and Miles Morales himself.
Among the infinite Spider-People that joined Spider-Man 2099's Spider-Society, Jessica Drew is the Miguel O'Hara's closest ally. She shares the belief that the multiverse is their top priority, even if it means sacrificing every Spider-Person's loved ones to keep canon events on track. Yet, it's no surprise that Jessica Drew empathizes with Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy's struggles, as her comic book counterpart is a notably heroic Spider-Woman.
Spider-Woman's Origin In Marvel Comics Explained
Introduced in 1977's Marvel Spotlight #32, Jessica Drew is the first Spider-Woman in Marvel Comics history. Originally, Jessica Drew's father used an experimental treatment involving spider DNA to cure her of uranium poisoning. Years later, Spider-Woman's origin was revised, and her powers now came from an experiment gone wrong that exposed Jessica's pregnant mother to radiation. Before adopting the "Spider-Woman" moniker, Jessica Drew was recruited by Hydra and ordered to assassinate Nick Fury. After she refused to do it, Jessica started using her powers for good while wearing her now iconic red suit.
Spider-Woman's Powers In Marvel Comics Explained
Despite what her name may suggest, Spider-Woman is quite different from Spider-Man. Apart from wall-crawling and an enhanced physiology that grants her increased strength, agility, endurance, speed, and healing, Jessica Drew can secrete pheromones that induce a range of emotions in everyone around her, including fear and attraction. She can also use wind currents to glide and shoots powerful bio-electric bolts of energy called "Venom Blasts", similar to those Miles Morales has in the comics and in the Spider-Verse movies. Unlike most Spider-People, though, Jessica Drew doesn't have a web shooter and thus doesn't web-sling.
How Spider-Woman Is Different In Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse To Marvel Comics
In Marvel Comics and most other adaptations, Jessica Drew is depicted as a white woman with long, straight black hair. Her suit is red with yellow panels, yellow boots, and yellow gloves, and she usually wears a half-mask with big white eyes that resemble Spider-Man's iconic mask. In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Jessica Drew is a Black woman with a luscious afro. She ditches the red and yellow spandex for a black and red motorcycle jacket and black leather pants. Instead of a half-mask, Jessica Drew wears a pair of sunglasses with huge yellow lenses that resemble the shape of Spider-Man's eyes.
Jessica Drew's abilities are also different in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Unlike her comic book counterpart, this Jessica shoots spider-webs — from the tip of her fingers, no less — and doesn't glide either by herself or with the help of underarm webbing. Instead of gliding or web-slinging, she drives a motorcycle that also aids her in battle. She also doesn't seem to shoot Venom Blasts like Miles. Still, Jessica Drew's agility and endurance seems to be just as developed as her comic version.
Why Is Spider-Woman Pregnant? Comic Story Explained
Spider-Woman's pregnancy isn't exclusive to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. In Marvel Comics, Jessica Drew used artificial insemination to have her first child after the events of 2015's Secret Wars. While pregnant, Spider-Woman used a more practical costume to continue her superhero activities. Given the advanced stage of her pregnancy, Jessica soon went into labor during a battle with a group of Skrulls, but her son Gerry was born without any problem. It's unknown whether the circumstances of Spider-Woman's pregnancy are similar in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but 2024's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse will likely expand on her story.
Who Voices Spider-Woman In Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse?
Issa Rae is the first actor to voice Jessica Drew a.k.a. Spider-Woman on the big screen. Rae rose to fame with her own web series Awkward Black Girl, which paved the way for her highly acclaimed HBO comedy Insecure, where she stars as Issa Dee. Issa Rae's filmography also includes her performances as April Ofrah in The Hate U Give, Leilani in The Lovebirds, and President Barbie in Greta Gerwig's Barbie. Before joining Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's cast, Issa Rae voiced the mother character in the Oscar-winning animated short film Hair Love.
How Powerful Is Spider-Woman Compared To Other Spider-Man Variants?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse features countless Spider-People with a wide variety of special abilities. There are robots, cars, horses, and even LEGO figures, all with their own unique twist on the classic Spider-Man myth. Issa Rae's Spider-Woman may not be as powerful as the dinosaur Spider-Rex or as Spider-Man 2099, but she still showcases some impressive skills, particularly with her motorcycle, that earns her a top spot in the Spider-Society. Besides, she seems to be much more experienced than Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales.
How Across The Spider-Verse Sets Up Spider-Woman's Beyond The Spider-Verse Story
In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Jessica Drew quickly bonds with Gwen Stacy when they fight a Vulture variant from a different reality. She recruits Gwen and returns to the Spider-Society to keep helping Miguel O'Hara protect the stability of the multiverse. Jessica seems reluctant when chasing down Miles, but she still accepts to go with Miguel and Ben Reilly to Earth-1610 and wait for Miles to arrive in order to detain him.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's cliffhanger ending teases a battle between Gwen's team and Miguel's team in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. But while Ben Reilly seems happy with his role as Miguel's henchman, Jessica Drew will likely switch teams. Peter B. Parker's decision to side with Miles Morales despite his opportunity to stay with Mary Jane and Mayday may inspire Jessica to do the same, not only because of her natural sympathy for Miles and Gwen but also because she may identify with Peter B. Parker's fatherhood. Once the conflict between Miles, Miguel, and The Spot is resolved, Jessica Drew could replace Spider-Man 2099 as the new protector of the Spider-Verse.
