Julia Carpenter in the MC2

 

With Sony Pictures Madame Web movie right around the corner, now is a good time to take a look at one of the film’s main cast of characters as she appears in our favourite comic imprint. Today, we will cover Spider-Woman aka Julia Carpenter in the MC2.

 

First appearing in 1984's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #6 in shadow and making her first full debut in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #7, Julia Carpenter was introduced as the second Spider-Woman, and the inspiration for Spider-Man’s own black-suit design, though her origin would remain a mystery for quite some time. 

 

Born Julia Cornwall in Los Angeles, California to Elizabeth and Walter Cornwall , Julia befriended fellow college student (and later federal agent) Valerie Cooper before she met, fell in love with married Larry Carpenter. Julia dropped out of college, working to support Larry as he studied for a career in public relations (Avengers West Coast #84). 

 

After graduating college, Larry Carpenter (who first appeared in Iron Man #214) often focused his time and attention on his work and extra-marital affairs, rather than Julia despite the two having a young daughter- Rachel Carpenter-together. Rachel Carpenter (who also made her debut in Iron Man #214) was five years old when Julia divorced Larry and the courts granted custody of Rachel to Julia. Now a single mother struggling to make ends meet, Julia moved Julia to Denver, Colorado. 

 

Unbeknownst to Julia, a seemingly chance meeting with Val Cooper would lead to Julia gaining her spider-powers. Val hired Julia as a test subject for a secret government project, telling Julia it was for exercise research when the experiments were to create government-controlled super humans for the Commission of Superhuman Activities (CSA). After being subjected to weeks of intense athletic training, Julia was secretly injected with a large dose of a special spider-serum. While Dr Napier claimed this was an accident, the researchers had been dosing Julia with higher and higher amounts over time. The 'accident' yielded the desired results and Julia quickly discovered she had developed her own unique set of spider-powers including the ability to generate psionic 'webbing' (Avengers West Coast #84).

 

Despite appearances, Val Cooper had not encountered Julia by mere luck. Julia would learn much later that the story she had believed was fabricated. The CSA's ambition to have government super-agents had led to them hiring lead scientist Dr Carter Napier. Napier and his team of scientists had sought out rare plants and spider venoms only found deep in the Peruvian Amazon. The expedition had been led by jungle guides Elizabeth and Walter Cornwall, Julia's own long-absent parents. It was through this connection that Val Cooper learned of Julia's financial struggles and combined with her prior knowledge of Julia's athletic prowess, found the perfect candidate for the experiments (Spider-Woman Vol.2 #2).

 

After the events of Secret Wars, Julia spent time working for the CSA, being assigned to work alongside Freedom Force in battling the X-Men and later capturing the Avengers. Feeling it was not right, Julia freed the Avengers and was declared a fugitive by (Uncanny X-Men #206, X-Factor #8-9, Avengers Annual #15). With Julia absent for long periods of time, Larry successfully sued for custody of Rachel. Aided by Iron Man, Julia turned herself in to the CSA, working as an undercover agent under the orders of Mike Clemson, a man who was openly hostile toward her. Meanwhile, the general public continued to believe she was a wanted criminal (Iron Man #214).

 

Julia encountered the Avengers in California after moving there to be close to her daughter again. After aiding the team in their battle with the Pacific Overlords, Julia joined the West Coast Avengers team, finally allowing Julia to officially clear her name and quit the CSA. Around this time, Julia revealed her superhero identity to Rachel. Julia would serve with the Avengers West Coast branch until the team was disbanded. (Avengers West Coast #70-102). 

  

When the West Coast branch of the Avengers disbanded, Julia joined the newly formed Force Works alongside with several other former-West Coast team members. Rachel moved into the teams headquarters- The Works- alongside her mother. However, in the wake of the events of The Crossing, the Force Works team disbanded (Force Works #1-22). After this, Julia next appears in a back up story in Sensational Spider-Man Annual '96, which takes place after the events of Onslaught. In this adventure, Julia is operating solo in Los Angeles when she encounters the animated Spider-Woman costume of Jessica Drew. It leads her into an encounter with Shadowoman and Lindsey McCabe where they save Jessica Drew from the other dimensional Void-Eater. The story concludes by implying Jessica may want her old super hero moniker back, and an editorial box tells readers to look for a follow up story in the pages of Spider-Man Team-Up. Sadly, this would never come to pass as this story was writer Mark Gruenwald's final published work before his death. 

 

Following this, Julia Carpenter next shows up post-Heroes Return for cameo appearances in Avengers Vol. 3 #1-4 and Captain America Vol. 3 #3. As I've mentioned in prior posts, it's unclear what parts of this era occurred or did not occur in the history of the MC2. Around this time in the Spider-Man books, Doctor Octopus' Spider-Woman (Charlotte Witter) was taking the powers of the various other Spider-Women. However, things appear to have played out differently in the MC2, as this is where events had already begun to diverge.

 

Julia Carpenter makes her MC2 debut in Spider-Girl #37 where she seeks out Peter Parker for assistance finding the original Spider-Man's family so she can bring in Jessica Drew's son, Gerry Drew aka the new Spider-Man before Gerry comes to harm as a result of his rare blood disease.

 

In Spider-Girl #39, Julia mentions that Jessica, herself, Mattie Franklin, and Cassandra Webb aka Madame Web had all previously used Peter to get messages to Spider-Man. Julia also appears to have detailed knowledge of Jessica and Gerry's history, implying the two Spider-Women have maintained contact until recently.

 

 As with the previous issue, the connection between the three Spider-Women is reinforced with a flashback in Spider-Girl #40 showing Julia in her Spider-Woman costume meeting up with a costumed Mattie Franklin and a plain clothed Jessica Drew. It’s notable that Jessica is in plain clothes and apparently depowered while Julia seems to retain her abilities, judging by her costumed appearance.

 

Julia and Peter track down Jessica at her home and confront her, with Jessica telling the two that Gerry won't stop his reckless behaviour as superhero without a good reason. Peter approaches Gerry in costume as Spider-Man and convinces him to retire until he can get treatment from Reed Richards. Julia notes that despite being believed dead, the original Spider-Man returned when needed (Spider-Girl #42-43). 

 

Julia’s appearances in the MC2 raise a lot of unanswered questions, such as whether she retained her spider-powers (it seems likely, though it’s never stated) and we get no mention of her own daughter Rachel who would surely be an adult by this point. Maybe someday we’ll learn more.

 

Until I discover Dr Napier was in the Amazon with my parents researching rare plants and spiders, right before they… didn’t die, I remain

 

frogoat

 

 

Venom and Eminem

Today I present for your consideration an old post I wrote back in 2018ish on Tumblr (when it was relevant) following the release of Sony's first Venom movie. It's a bit of a departure from my usual musings but I'm fairly happy with the analysis younger me produced. My hope is that I can preserve some of my older material here for future me to re-discover. Who knows, maybe someone else will find it interesting? Anyway, enjoy!

 Venom and Eminem

I’ve recently had a few people ask me my opinion on the song ‘Venom’ by Eminem for the soundtrack of the titular film. So here we go:

Despite perhaps not being top-tier in terms of his best work, Eminem’s Venom song does hold more merit than might be thought from your first listen. 

For those only familiar with his early hits or present day charting singles, Eminem frequently utilizes more than one persona for his various songs: Eminem (the Rap God), Marshall Mathers (the man behind the facade) and Slim Shady (the dark and offensive Evil Twin). 

Through his early career the artist became mostly associated with his Slim Shady persona, partly because of which songs became hits and which lyrics drew negative media attention and partly because he encouraged it and even enjoyed it. 

Over the years, he’s come out with many songs discussing his meteoric rise to fame, his poor handling of the popularity and the scrutiny of media associated with living in the public eye. His marriage fell apart, he was banned in places and demonstrated against. He was a villain because he gave into his dark impulses and didn’t care who got hurt as a result. Sound familiar?

Venom started out as a villain who gained popularity exceptionally quickly and was later transitioned into an anti-hero as a result. Often described as an evil counterpart to Spider-Man, the combination of the alien symbiote and former journalist turned obsessive Spidey stalker Eddie Brock, Venom never actually corrupted it’s former host Spider-Man. In fact, until Eddie came along the symbiote was merely a glorified tool, an extension of the hosts will. Under Eddie’s influence Venom suddenly became a fearsome malevolence that hurt and killed those in their way without remorse and justified and rationalized their actions so as to never blame themselves. 

'Ever since I came along
From the day the song called “Hi! My Name Is” dropped
Started thinking my name was fault
'Cause anytime things went wrong
I was the one who they would blame it on
The media made me the equivalent of a modern-day Genghis Khan’

–Guts Over Fear

Further into his career, Em tried to transition himself into a more sympathetic light, with more singles and album tracks focusing on his personal struggles and private life, while still maintaining the harder edge and unapologetic attitude that made him famous. In terms of trajectory, this very much mirrors Venom’s repositioning into an anti-hero in the comics. In more recent times we’ve seen Em address his own status as a villain in the industry including attempts to make amends with such songs as 'Headlights’ and 'Bad Husband’ as well as more vulnerable songs like 'Walk on Water’ and ‘In Your Head’. 

‘Hailie, baby, I didn’t mean to make you eighty/Percent of what I rapped about/ Maybe I shoulda did a better job at separating/Shady and entertaining from real life/But this fame thing is still the hardest thing to explain/It’s the craziest shit I/Ever seen, and back then it was like I ain’t even/Bothered taking into consideration/You one day being older and may hear me say things/I didn’t (A) mean and (B) just ain’t me/’

–In Your Head

There’s almost a one to one comparison between the character of Venom and the artist Marshall Mathers. Eddie blames others or deflects responsibility for his behaviour, as Em often dismissed criticism of his foul and offensive lyrics as just his art - the work of his evil other half, Slim Shady- not intended to be taken seriously. Both became overnight hits, both became more sympathetic overtime and both seemingly flit between the role of villain and anti-hero in their respective mediums and in the eyes of fans.

The song Venom itself makes for a microcosm of themes. The song starts by claiming it’s for those who’ve been given a ’raw deal’ and are feeling angry. This can be read as referring to both Eddie Brock and Marshall himself when they were at low points in life. then we are introduced to a few themes with 'When something’s in your mitochondrial/ 'Cause it latched on to you’ conjuring images of the alien symbiote and 'Knock knock, let the devil in, malevolent/ As I’ve ever been, head spinnin’, this medicine’ using the symbiote as a metaphor for his past drug dependence and bad behaviour. These ideas reoccur throughout the song, with shifting meanings as the song progresses. 'shoulda been dead a long time ago’ can also be read as referring to both Em’s near death experience via overdose before going sober and Eddie Brock’s attempted suicide and/or cancer diagnosis before finding the symbiote.

The chorus makes reference to the erratic behaviour of both Eddie and Marshall with ’ Venom, (I got that) adrenaline momentum/ And I’m not knowin’ when I’m/ Ever gonna slow up and I’m/ Ready to snap any moment I’m/ Thinkin’ it’s time to go get 'em/ (W-w-when they get bit with the-)/ Venom’. There’s also not-so-subtle references here to the adrenaline rush a person feels when using certain drugs, which also describes the way Eddie feels when empowered by the alien symbiote. 

Another commonality, Venom and Eminem are known for using descriptions of over the top violent acts, often for humourous effect. The humour is also juxtaposed against the dark themes of the song or the actions taken. This can be seen to address the power fantasy of both Eddie Brock’s newfound abilities and Marshall’s fame and influence, which inevitably results in them abusing their abilities and status. Tell me that doesn’t remind you of anyone else?

'Then I wait to face the demons I’m bonded to/ 'Cause they’re chasin’ me but I’m part of you/ So escapin’ me is impossible/ I latch onto you like a—parasite/ And I probably ruined your parents’ life/ And your childhood too/'Cause if I’m the music that y'all grew up on/I’m responsible for you retarded fools/ I’m the super villain Dad and Mom was losin’ their marbles to/ You marvel that? Eddie Brock is you/ And I’m the suit, so call me—/ Venom’

While the symbiote is initially used as a way to talk about the dark side of Marshall’s personality, fame and former drug addiction, by the song’s conclusion he admits that despite his decade of sobriety and efforts to change, the darkness always resided within him. Unlike Eddie Brock, Marshall is taking responsibility for his actions. However, if Em is the symbiote suit, then he’s granting great power, and it’s up to the audience (’Eddie Brock is you’) to use it responsibly.

Or maybe it’s all just a catchy song to sell records?

Spider-Man 2099 in the MC2?!

 

The release of Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is upon us and with it we will get to see Miguel O’Hara make his first full appearance on the big screen following his cameo teaser in the end credits of 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. I am very excited for this and so today I wanted to look at how Spider-Man 2099 and the MC2 are connected. I’ve already written individual posts about Six-Arm Spider-Man, the original Spider-Armor and the Bombastic Bag-Man so be sure to give those a read too.

 

First, some context, as always! Spider-Man 2099 first appeared in Spider-Man 2099 #1 (unless you want to count a preview of that issue in Amazing Spider-Man #365) and was created by writer Peter David and penciller Rick Leonardi with MC2-alumni Al Williamson on inking duties. On Earth-928 in the year 2099, the brilliant scientist named Miguel O’Hara worked as project head for the megacorporation Alchemax’s genetics program. After being forced into a human trial of his work results in the test subject dying, Miguel attempts to quit Alchemax in protest, but is poisoned with the addictive Alchemax-distributed drug called Rapture by his boss Tyler Stone to ensure he remained with the company.

 

 As Rapture bonds to a person genetically, it leaves a person permanently addicted. Miguel breaks into his Alchemax lab and attempts to restore his genetic code using the blueprint of it he had on file. However, his disgruntled co-worker Aaron Delgato tampers with the equipment causing O’Hara’s genetic code to be combined with the genetic code of a spider Miguel had been researching earlier in hopes of endowing humans with extra abilities like the ‘Heroic Age’ figure, Spider-Man (Spider-Man 2099 #1).

  Aaron dies following an ensuing explosion and Miguel learns he has gained spider-powers while escaping the Public Eye. With the aid of torn ‘light byte’ cloth from a ‘skysail’ gifted by a Thorite (a believer in the second-coming of Thor) and an old black and red Day of the Dead costume made from unstable molecule fabric, O’Hara fashions a disguise to throw Alchemax’s cyborg tracker Venture off his trail as he back-tracks through his apartment. After a chase across the city of Nueva York, Miguel as Spider-Man is captured but manages to free himself using his talons and battles Venture, discovering his ability to produce webbing and in the process defeating the bounty hunter. Thus, the year 2099 gained its own Spider-Man (Spider-Man 2099 #2-#3).

 

In Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man, a special one-shot story, Miguel O’Hara finds himself unexpectedly transported to the present day, waking up next to Mary Jane Parker. Meanwhile Peter Parker finds himself in Nueva York in 2099 evading the Public Eye before battling the Vulture of 2099. Miguel learns thanks to a trip to the Daily Bugle that he ended up in this time as a result of the small company Fujikawa (in O’Hara’s time known as Stark-Fujikawa) demonstrating a new energy source, temporal energy, which will lead to the end of the Heroic Age with the heroes of Peter’s time vanishing mysteriously.

 

 Meanwhile, with the help of Miguel’s brother Gabriel, Peter learns the centre of technology and research in Nueva York is the Alchemax Building and decides to start his search for a way home there. After a proper conversation with Mary Jane, on his way to the source of energy waves only perceptible to his accelerated vision, Miguel is waylaid by a fight with Eddie Brock aka Venom.

 

With both men reaching the source of the temporal energy waves, the two Spider-Men finally meet one another. Finding themselves in a desolate future landscape, they encounter the Hobgoblin of the year 2211 who attacks the two heroes with Retcon Bombs, intending to erase them from the time stream, only to be thwarted by the Spider-Man of 2211. As they are being sent back to their own times, Miguel and Peter tell each other they became Spider-Man because they had to, with Miguel adding he was partly inspired by Peter, in much the same way Peter was by his Uncle Ben. With the day saved, Miguel discovers that history seemingly has not changed, but the date the heroes vanished in the past is no longer recorded and now no one remembers it. Peter reunites with Mary Jane, telling her he knows his actions affects and inspires people who are not even born yet.

 

Now, how does all this have any bearing on the MC2? Well, we know for sure these events transpired in the past of the MC2’s Peter Parker thanks to an unlikely source; Spider-Man Family Vol. 1 #1. Therein we have a story (seemingly) set during the mostly unexplored point in time after Baby May is rescued and returned to Peter and Mary Jane Parker by Kaine but before Peter loses his leg in his final battle with Norman Osborn aka the Green Goblin. Lured into a trap by the villain Jack O’ Lantern aka Maguire Beck, Spider-Man meets and teams-up with Araña and her *sidekick* Miguel as they battle a variety of museum like room full of Spider-Man robot’s designed to resemble various costumes and points in Peter’s career. Among these we see a robot Spider-Man   in Miguel O’Hara’s Spider-Man 2099 costume. This robotic Spider-Man 2099 duplicate is destroyed by Spider-Man who alongside Araña and (the other) Miguel go on to defeat the mastermind Jack O’ Lantern.

 

Much like with the case of Six-Arm Spider-Man, the original Spider-Armor and the Bag-Man there is the lingering question of how Jack O’ Lantern came to know of the connection between Spider-Man and the Spider-Man 2099 costume given it’s not particularly spider-themed. The answer is fairly straightforward. Given the fact O’Hara spent a decent amount of time at the Daily Bugle and openly announced he was Spider-Man from the year 2099 to a room full of reporters, it is not hard to believe that word got out, even if it was distorted. Thus, Jack O’ Lantern incorrectly assumed the two were the same person.

Unless I’m mistaken, the Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man story is the first instance of a legacy Spidey character meeting their namesake (and no, I’m not counting clones as legacy characters). This may also be the beginning of the ‘Spider-Verse’ concept as it is known today.

 

Until I miss out on seeing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on opening day due to a temporal anomaly, I remain

 

frogoat