The release of the Madame Web trailer is giving fans their initial glimpse of Julia Carpenter, the Spider-Woman from the 1990s, a character that may not be widely recognized by contemporary Marvel enthusiasts.
In the '80s and '90s, Julia Carpenter stood as Spider-Woman, donning a distinctive costume that may have influenced Spider-Man's symbiote suit in the Marvel comics. Formerly part of the Avengers and Force Works, Julia's presence diminished when Jessica Drew, the original Spider-Woman, resurfaced. For those unfamiliar with this character, here's a comprehensive guide to Marvel's Spider-Woman of the '90s.
Who is Spider-Woman Julia Carpenter?
Julia Carpenter, a single mother facing challenges, consents to partake in a research project aimed at investigating the advantages of engaging in physical exercise. Unbeknownst to her, she becomes embroiled in a clandestine experiment orchestrated by The Commission, a government organization with ambitions to create their very own superhero.
Julia is constantly exposed to a range of chemicals, plant extracts, and spider venom, which bestow upon her unique abilities. Despite her intentions to adopt the codename Arachne, she is given the moniker Spider-Woman.
Thrown into the midst of the Secret Wars, Julia assumes the role of an anti-hero for several years before eventually becoming a member of the West Coast Avengers, joining Iron Man's Force Works team, and embarking on her own solo missions.
Marvel Comics: Julia Carpenter, the second Spider-Woman, underwent a secret government experiment. In the '90s, her appearances decrease as she temporarily loses her powers to focus on motherhood. Although she later regains her abilities, she abandons the Spider-Woman moniker following Jessica Drew's comeback. Ultimately adopting the name Arachne, she aligns herself with Captain America's anti-registration faction in the Civil War event.
During the Grim Hunt, Julia was given the premonition abilities of Cassandra Web, making her the second Madame Web. Ever since, she has served as a valuable ally and advisor to all the heroes connected to Spider.
Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman’s powers & weaknesses
Julia acquired numerous superhuman abilities resembling those of Spider-Man due to a combination of plant extracts and spider venom. These powers comprise heightened strength, speed, and reflexes. Furthermore, her capacity to withstand injuries and recover from them surpasses that of an average individual, demonstrated by her survival of a direct assault from Therak’s venom, which struck her face with full force.
Marvel ComicsJulia Carpenter relinquished her persona as Spider-Woman to assume the role of the second Madame Web.
Julia possesses wall-crawling and webbing abilities similar to Spider-Man, but they are derived from her psionic powers rather than any physical or mechanical assistance. The Commission acknowledged her mental abilities but never clarified their origin.
Upon acquiring Cassandra Web's powers, Julia also lost her eyesight, suggesting that Web's blindness was a consequence of her clairvoyant abilities. Julia can perceive the interconnected web of life that all Spiders touch, enabling her to have a multiversal vision of the future. However, this vision was significantly weakened after Superior Spider-Man damaged the web of life.
That’s everything you need to know for now about Julia Carpenter. For more Madame Web and comic book news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the upcoming release of the Madame Web movie and the introduction of Julia Carpenter, the Spider-Woman from the 1990s. I think it's great that Marvel is expanding its cinematic universe to include more diverse characters and stories. Julia Carpenter is a complex and interesting character with a rich history, and I can't wait to see how she is portrayed on the big screen.
I appreciate that Julia Carpenter is a strong and independent woman who has overcome many challenges in her life. She is a single mother who has had to work hard to provide for her family. She is also a superhero who has used her powers to help others. I think Julia Carpenter is a great role model for young women, and I hope that she will inspire many people.
