A QUICK SPIDER-WOMAN WORD WITH FRANK CHO

**MattBrady** · 08-26-2005, 10:45 AM

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

The summer convention season is over and Shanna the She-Devil has wrapped. But for Frank Cho, the artist is still keeping himself busy.

As announced during the conventions of the summer, Cho is drawing a two-part “Spider-Woman” story arc in New Avengers #14 and #15 written by Brian Michael Bendis with colors by Jason Keith (covers) and Morry Hollowell (interiors) that will set the stage for the Spider-Woman: Origin limited series co-written by Bendis and Brian Reed with art by Jonathan and Joshua Luna in December, and a new, ongoing Spider-Woman series solo-written by Bendis with art by his Daredevil partner Alex Maleev.

For a character that first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 in 1977, Jessica Drew, aka the Spider-Woman, has experienced a resurgence of late thanks to her inclusion in the New Avengers line-up. Yeah, and that Wizard pin-up by Cho too as far as the artist is concerned.

“Brian saw my Spider-Woman pin-up [and] he called me up and asked if I was interested in drawing the “Spider-Woman” story arc for New Avengers. And here I am. I’m drawing issues #14 and #15 of New Avengers, written by Brian Bendis,” Cho told Newsarama.

“I think it was Wizard issue #161 for all you completists out there.”

According to Cho, story-wise, Spider-Woman’s recapping to the Avengers how she came to be and setting up for the next story arc.

The artist certainly has a way with women as shown in his work on Shanna the She-Devil, Liberty Meadows and Marvel Knights Spider-Man. Fans of the artist could rest easy as his artist vision for Spider-Woman will remain “the same. Make her hot and sexy. Let’s just say that my Spider-Woman will not look like an anorexic waif. She’s going to be very full figured woman with hips.

“She has a great costume. Very bold and striking. Spider-Woman is a survivor. She doesn’t solely depend on her powers. She uses her wits and S.H.I.E.L.D. training to get the job done.”

Think of the F4's Invisible Woman and Jessica Alba comes to mind. As far as movie fans are concerned, Kirsten Dunst is Mary Jane. Famke Jansen, Anna Paquin and Halle Berry are now Jean Grey, Rogue and Storm, respectively. And who could deny that Jennifer Garner was red hot in that Elektra outfit? So, who’s Frank Cho’s pick to portray Spider-Woman in the movies?

“Jennifer Garner is a decent choice but her face is a little too “angular” for my taste. Spider-Woman is a vulnerable character. You have to remember that she lost her power for a period of time and she had to go through lot of crap and hurt many people to get it back. Also, she has to be sexy as hell. I think a better choice would be Erica Durance (Lois Lane in Smallville) or Caroline Dhavernas from the short-lived Wonderfalls TV series. They both have that vulnerability and sexiness down pat.”

Look for the two-part “Spider-Woman” arc in New Avengers late fall.

victorderas · 08-26-2005, 10:49 AM

Boy, Cho continues his great streak!!!

Punchy · 08-26-2005, 10:54 AM

Looks good, Cho's art is great, and New Avengers (especially SW, n ever even considered her as a good character before) really has surprised me, not as good as Busiek/Perez yet, but quite close, now if only they could get a better HQ

onestar · 08-26-2005, 10:56 AM

I agree. I love seeing more of Frank's work.

But...is there any chance of seeing more Liberty Meadows?

tralfaz · 08-26-2005, 11:02 AM

that last pic looks like the same exact page from that spider-woman book that came out

william G · 08-26-2005, 11:03 AM

I think Brandy looks much better as Spiderwoman than she did as Shanna .

HartyPotter · 08-26-2005, 11:03 AM

this is the NA arc I was most looking forward to. Frank Cho is so the man it's not even funny. Jeez, Marvel's really pampering us with this title. Regardless of whether some people here care about numbering or the loss of their favorite B-list character from the team, having an arc with McNiven followed by Cho is a dream. This one of the few titles that just CAN'T WAIT FOR. Need it now.

xanderxerxes · 08-26-2005, 11:07 AM

THE BEST AVENGER SERIES THERE IS!!!

08-26-2005, 11:12 AM

hmmm 36D-24-36....reminds me of my girlfriend

algertman · 08-26-2005, 11:12 AM

BLEH!

I'm really digging the current Sentry arc, but I just can't stand Spider-Woman. A hatred only surpassed by SpeedBall

Gordon McAlpin · 08-26-2005, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Shouldn't gravity be affecting those things a little more than this?

08-26-2005, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by algertman
BLEH!

I'm really digging the current Sentry arc, but I just can't stand Spider-Woman. A hatred only surpassed by SpeedBall

You like the sentry arc??? thought you hated New Avengers and especially the Sentry??

xanderxerxes · 08-26-2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lucifugeny
You like the sentry arc??? thought you hated New Avengers and especially the Sentry??

that's what we call in my toung "balimbing"

Drewsander · 08-26-2005, 11:22 AM

Wish Cho was doing the limited instead of the Lunas'. Their Spiderwoman looks a little uninspired.

Who's Brandy?

xanderxerxes · 08-26-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drewsander
Wish Cho was doing the limited instead of the Lunas'. Their Spiderwoman looks a little uninspired.

Who's Brandy?

same here!

brandy is the main star of liberty meadows

www.libertymeadows.com

350z · 08-26-2005, 11:27 AM

A few years ago when Liberty Meadows was just about to be published by Image, I have to be honest that I didn't really see what all the commotion over Frank Cho was all about . Every since I had that thought, it seems as though he has gone out of his way to prove that he is one of the very best artists in the business. Those Spider-Woman pages look wonderful. Unlike some others, I am not a new fan of Spider-Woman; I have every issue of the original run (and all of her appearances in other books as well). And I have to say that Cho has probably the best version of the character that I have seen (even though Mike Golden did an incredible job in Avengers Annual #10 at drawing her!).

I'll definitely be getting this run...

Lord Ice · 08-26-2005, 11:36 AM

Nice art as usual, but I'd rather see Cho get back to drawing funny animals.

starvenger · 08-26-2005, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
“Jennifer Garner is a decent choice but her face is a little too “angular” for my taste. Spider-Woman is a vulnerable character. You have to remember that she lost her power for a period of time and she had to go through lot of crap and hurt many people to get it back. Also, she has to be sexy as hell. I think a better choice would be Erica Durance (Lois Lane in Smallville) or Caroline Dhavernas from the short-lived Wonderfalls TV series. They both have that vulnerability and sexiness down pat.”

Screw that. Put Carla Gugino in that suit.

gon · 08-26-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gordon McAlpin
Shouldn't gravity be affecting those things a little more than this?

Yeah, they should be hindering her vision.

DrCool976 · 08-26-2005, 11:47 AM

Dayum.

Cho draws a nice Spider-Woman. Now get him to feed Supergirl some solid foods.

cncoyle · 08-26-2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 350z
And I have to say that Cho has probably the best version of the character that I have seen (even though Mike Golden did an incredible job in Avengers Annual #10 at drawing her!).

I'll give you second or third best. It's a very, very good rendition, but it's nigh impossible to top Carmine Infantino.

MoneyMelon · 08-26-2005, 11:55 AM

Wow, cool! I just finished reading Shanna The She Devil and the art was great there too. I'm not too familiar with Cho's work, but I like what I've see so far (for obvious reasons). I'm glad to see Marvel is putting such great artists on New Avengers. The McNiven and Finch arcs have been beautiful.

Vyper · 08-26-2005, 11:56 AM

Jennifer Connelly.

motteditor · 08-26-2005, 11:57 AM

Wow, I'd never have thought of Caroline Dhavernas in spandex, especially based on Wonderfalls. Interesting choice. Not sure who I would like to see in the costume, but I'd certainly never have thought of "Jaye."

(You know who I think could make a good superhero, though perhaps not Spider-Woman -- Jewel Staite.)

Jumpin' Monkey · 08-26-2005, 11:59 AM

awesome !