09/17/24: SPIDER-GWEN AT TEN
Hey y’all,
Today marks the 10th anniversary of SPIDER-GWEN’S first appearance…
And while the passage of that time is certainly both shocking and surreal, it does kind of line up with how unforeseen and inexplicable this whole experience has been.
Oh sure, I still have theories on what led here, but these days I try to focus less on dissecting how or why any of this happened/is still happening and more on appreciating that it did.
Still, whatever timing, or luck, or greater forces might have been at play— they definitely required effort to put into motion and sustain. And for that, I’m grateful to Robbi Rodriguez and Rico Renzi for all the heart and creativity they invested into that work. To Nick Lowe & the rest of the editorial and production staff for giving, and supporting us while we were on that stage. And for all of the countless writers & artists who have brought her to life, officially or otherwise, in comics, in animation, in fandom & beyond.
At times it can be a little overwhelming to have a work from your past seem to define you in ways you never asked for. For all the times I have embraced that with my arms stretched as wide as possible, there were also lots of moments where a healthy boundary was what I wanted most. But even now, when I’m focused more than ever on keeping my eyes forward creatively— I keep getting little reminders not to take any of this for granted.
Over the last week, I met a couple of my friend’s kids for the first time and learned they really like Spider-Gwen. And as much as part of me wants to take credit and selfishly soak all that up— I understand that they were likely introduced to her by the cartoons or the video games or the toys or, or, or. And while I really hope that leads them to the versions of her story that I care about most— what’s more important to me now is that they enjoy it in whatever way excites their imaginations the most. And honestly, that goes for anyone. No matter how or why you care, I’m always at least a little happy that you do.
Will I feel that way forever? I don’t know.
Hopefully, you can ask me in another ten years.
More soon…
-j
Today I learned that Jason Latour co-created Spider-Gwen. 🤯
Hey Jason, just thought you'd like to know that there's a little kid in Brazil - Nuno, 4yo - who is batshit crazy about Gwen. He even had his parents searching the internet for a Spider-Gwen suit, which we got just in time for Christmas last year and he wears sporadically to go to school, visit the mall or just random social gatherings.
Me myself am not the familiar with the characther, only through the movies. I got to know your work from Southern Bastards, which I absolutelly loved. Any chance we get to see more of that title?
Keep up the good work!