Gwen’s Fight Continues in Gwenpool Strikes Back #3
And once again, Gwen’s battle for relevancy and ratings continues in Gwenpool Strikes Back #3. So far, we’ve seen Gwen take on Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four – alongside a specific red-wearing ally. So what could she possibly get up to next? The cover will give fans an idea of what will come, as usual.
Gwen has been aware for a while now that, in her case, there’s a lot more at stake than just getting her own series once again. Her trials bring some frequently overlooked elements of comic books to the forefront – comic sales.
Having a character that breaks the fourth wall and being aware of her comic sales is an interesting concept. And it’s a plot that this series can easily run away with. But since this is Gwenpool we’re talking about, things are pushed to the craziest extent possible.
Writing
Gwenpool Strikes Back has been an amazing series, especially for long-standing fans of our chaotic lead. But the third issue in the series somehow managed to bring things to a whole new level – in all the best ways.
Gwenpool Strikes Back #3 is a shining example of fourth-wall breaking and character interactions. Leah Williams perfectly balances these two elements, creating a shockingly intense plot from what is typically a comical series. Though don’t get me wrong, there are still funny moments. They’re just balanced out with some insane moments along the way.
I can say with complete honesty that Gwenpool fans are going to love this issue. Not only does it do a brilliant job of showcasing her at her best, but it also shows off her serious side. And everything in between, for that matter.
The writing for this issue surpasses the rest of the series – which, until now, had been a delight. It looks like writers, characters, and artists are all starting to take things seriously. And so should the readers.
Along with addressing the heavier moments in this issue, Williams had to contend with many characters and events that were happening outside of this series. The tongue-in-cheek humor and commentary were an excellent touch.
Art
The artists behind Gwenpool Strikes Back #3 are having a blast with this series. There’s officially no room for doubt on that front. In fact, David Baldeon himself made a cameo in this issue, but I’m not going to spoil the details surrounding that little bit.
Baldeon was the lead artist, and he was supported by Jesus Aburtov (coloring) and VC’s Joe Caramagna (lettering). And together? They made something truly outstanding. This issue quickly had more than twenty Marvel characters to portray, which is no easy task. But they did so exceptionally while also maintaining the style of Gwenpool.
This issue was bright and fun, except when it needed to be intense. They proved that this style could adapt remarkably well to different tones within the series in one issue. And that’s perfect because Gwen is done playing around.
Conclusion
Gwenpool Strikes Back #3 was an amazingly intense and brilliant read. It’s quite possibly the best in the series. And that’s coming from somebody who has loved the series until now. There was almost too much packed into this issue to discuss in a single review, but that perfectly fit Gwen and her story in many ways.
This issue gives me hope that we’ll see more of Gwen in another series. Perhaps that is merely wishful thinking. Only time will tell.
This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.
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