Spider-Woman (Ultimate Marvel character)


Ultimate Spider-Woman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, she is the Ultimate Marvel equivalent of both the first and second Spider-Woman and Ben Reilly. As opposed to her prime counterparts, this version of Spider-Woman is a biologically female clone of Peter Parker.

Publication history

Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, the Ultimate incarnation of Spider-Woman first appeared in Ultimate Spider-Man #98, and appeared in All-New Ultimates #1 as the Ultimate Universe's third iteration of "Black Widow". She is a supporting character in ' and '.

Fictional character biography

''Clone Saga''

Spider-Woman is a genetically-engineered clone of Peter Parker whose chromosomes were manipulated to make her biologically female. Created alongside Kaine to act as agents for the CIA, she retains Peter's memories and love of Mary Jane Watson, also viewing herself as Peter Parker. The intent of her creators was to erase her memories and implant new ones, but both escaped before the process could be carried out. Doctor Octopus reveals himself as the mastermind behind the experiments that created them. All three fight Doctor Octopus together and eventually prevail. Peter surrenders to Nick Fury while the clones opt to flee. At the storyline's close, Spider-Woman decides to start a new life apart from Peter, takes her leave of him after what she calls "the most awkward hug in history", establishing a sibling-like relationship with him.

''Ultimatum''

Spider-Woman later appears during the "Ultimatum" storyline, making their public debut when they help Johnny Storm apprehend the Vulture. Storm begins to develop a romantic interest in Spider-Woman after a bad date with a famed but obnoxious teen singer, unaware that they are Spider-Man's female clone. They later meet May Parker while aiding civilians during Magneto's worldwide attack, taking them to safety and promising to find Peter for them. Later, she travel's to the center of Manhattan where Doctor Strange's home is being attacked by Nightmare; the Hulk begins to destroy the portal to the Dark Dimension, causing an explosion. After briefly being chased by Hulk, Spider-Woman continues her search for Peter and meets Kitty Pryde. They work together on the search as well as try to help survivors, but are overwhelmed by the deaths and destruction around them. They manage to find a remnant of Peter's mask, which Kitty takes with her and gives to Mary Jane Watson at Peter's home, informing her and May that Peter is still among the missing.

''Doomsday''

In ', Spider-Woman is seen doing recon on the Roxxon Corporation, investigating possible illegal genetic experimentation, when the corporation building is attacked. It is assumed that the person behind the attack is the "Ultimate Enemy". She is later attacked by the same creature that destroyed the building. Spider-Woman then attempts to infiltrate Roxxon, posing as an employee named "Dr. Julia Carpenter". On her first day, she is introduced to the Roxxon Brain Trust. Shortly afterward, she witnesses an attack on the Baxter Building, and Roxxon suggests she move into an underground bunker. While waiting there, Misty Knight starts to ask them questions and figures out that she is not who she claims to be. The Roxxon Brain Trust then reveals that they suspect Roxxon in the attacks. Spider-Woman doesn't trust them and when they want to see her powers, she webs them up and attempts to flee. One of the Brain Trust members transforms into a brute of some sort and knocks them out before she can get away.
In ', Spider-Woman awakens to find herself bound on a table and meets the Brain Trust's leader, Doctor Octopus. It doesn't take long for Spider-Man to arrive and save her, just before Roxxon is attacked again. As the duo start rescuing civilians, they notice Doctor Octopus is also in danger. Although Spider-Woman wants to let him die, Spider-Man eventually manages to convince her to help save him. Rick Jones arrives with the Human Torch and they learn that heroes are gathering to take down Reed Richards. Spider-Woman and even Doctor Octopus join the group. During the attack in the Negative Zone, Spider-Woman meets the Ultimates for the first time, and assists Captain America himself. After the confrontation with Richards, Spider-Woman becomes an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. at Carol Danvers's request.

''Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man'' and ''Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates''

After Peter apparently dies fighting the Green Goblin, Spider-Woman confronts the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales. She later assists Iron Man and Hawkeye in fighting Electro. Eventually, Spider-Woman becomes frustrated about being in the Ultimates team, being captured along with Captain Britain by the new S.H.I.E.L.D. director Marvin Flumm, but is later released and takes part in Captain America's swearing into the presidency. When Captain America went to join the states once more, Spider-Woman joined the new president and was part of the ground forces. During the "United We Stand" storyline, Spider-Woman is reluctantly teamed with Miles during S.H.I.E.L.D.'s battle with the terrorist group HYDRA. After they are separated in the battle, Spider-Woman finds Miles and returns him to New York.
Initially, Spider-Woman is not forthcoming when Miles asks why she cares so much about him. But after Miles quits being Spider-Man following personal tragedy, Spider-Woman reveals to Miles that she is Peter's clone, explaining that although she has Parker's memories, she is not Spider-Man, but feels that Miles should be. This convinces him to resume the Spider-Man identity.

''All-New Ultimates''

Later, Miles and Spider-Woman team up with Cloak & Dagger and Bombshell to fight Roxxon's Brain Trust and confront Phillip Roxxon. Along with Kitty Pryde, the group becomes the New Ultimates, with Spider-Woman changing her superhero alias to "Black Widow" and embarking in a romantic relationship with Pryde, from her perspective renewing their relationship from the memories imbued from Peter Parker.

''Spider-Verse''

During the "Spider-Verse" storyline, Spider-Woman teams up with Kaine and an alternate Ben Reilly to investigate the home of the Inheritors and find out how they are able to clone new bodies for themselves.

''Spider-Men II''

Following the Secret Wars events that seemingly destroyed Spider-Woman's universe, she is returned to existence, once again using the Spider-Woman identity, and rejoining the Ultimates with a resurrected Peter Parker, who has reclaimed the Spider-Man mantle in Miles' absence upon emigrating to Earth-616.

Powers and abilities

Spider-Woman has all the powers of Spider-Man. In addition, her fingertips have spinnerets, allowing her to fire silk-spinning webbing from them.

In other media