While web-slinging and acrobatics are cool, I've always believed that Spider-Man stories are defined by their heart and the personal moments that Peter shares with friends and foes alike. One of Marvel’s most talented writers, Gail Simone, the true Queen of Heart, is interested in giving Spider-Man her fair shot. At a time when Peter Parker is once again at his lowest, Simone is the perfect pick to write Marvel’s next Spider-Man series.

Simone is one of the most prominent writers in the comics industry, spearheading series such as Wonder Woman, Red Sonja, and Birds of Prey. Her current ongoing series, Uncanny X-Men with artist David Marquez, has quickly become one of my personal favorite X-Men series and one of the franchise’s most empathetic series in years.

Recently, in an AMA thread on Reddit, Simone itted that she’s interested in leading her own Spider-Man series: "I want to write A Spider-Man story, I don't think I want to write one of the ongoings. I'd like to do more Iron Man, I think our two part story was a hoot." Her particular expertise in building a dynamic and empathetic cast of characters is exactly what Spider-Man could use right now.

Gail Simone Has Proven She Can Write the Empathetic Interactions Spider-Man Is Known For

Spider-Man’s Rogues’ Gallery Is Critical to His Character Growth

Gail Simone understands the importance of a tender moment between the action sequences, using these glimpses of interpersonal interactions to organically build character relationships. It’s moments like these, the one-on-one exchanges that build on character relationships, that have always defined Spider-Man. He can get along with anyone and tries to get along with everyone, including his enemies.

Of any character in all Marvel Comics, Spider-Man insists on building rapport with his villains. It's partially because he’s simply a sociable person - but more importantly, he wants to understand his rogues gallery and give them a chance to rehabilitate.

In Simone’s Uncanny X-Men series, her batch of X-Men are trying to build their own School for Gifted Youngsters while adopting a group of young mutants on the run from an anti-mutant prison and a mutant-hunting hag. From my perspective, the series has done a fantastic job of prioritizing a story primarily contained within this small group of characters, a narrative intimacy that the Krakoa Saga lacked. What has impressed me most of all is that Simone has not only ensured that her primary heroes go through significant, but relatable, character growth, but that her heroes and villains can amicably communicate while still opposing each other.

Gail Simone Isn’t Afraid of Brutally Intense Combat that Spider-Man Needs

She Confidently Balances Action with Character Growth

That’s not to say that Simone's writing is exclusively limited to sappy interactions; she knows how to write a good, well-paced, and brutal fight. Always working flawlessly with her artists, Simone’s action scenes are intense. Unafraid to let blood spill, bone break, and flesh contort, her combat is brutal. While Spidey isn’t quite known for truly pulverizing his enemies, his enemies are. From Doc Ock to Jackal to Carnage, Spider-Man has had some truly violent villains, each willing to slaughter innocents to achieve their goals. Fortunately, Peter’s nimble acrobatics and grace always steal the show.

However, more than character-to-character interactions or flashy combat, Simone’s greatest asset is her ability to create compelling and organic character growth, leveraging a character’s doubts and weaknesses as the basis for their growth. Throughout her first Wonder Woman run, Diana is suddenly placed in a seat of authority, struggling to balance her role as an Amazonian leader, an ambassador, and superhero.

Wonder Woman’s growth is self-reflective and earnest, allowing the reader to truly empathize with the character throughout the series. Simone treats every issue as important, ensuring that fans will be compelled to follow along week to week, something that's sorely needed in current Spider-Man stories.

Gail Simone Is the Right Author for What Spider-Man Currently Needs

No Author Can Better Balance Spider-Man’s Unique Style

Spider-Man is a well-rounded character whose stories excel at every aspect a reader could want from a superhero comic. He’s quippy and heartfelt, balanced by his incredible strength and dynamic acrobatics. At his core, Peter Parker will always be a community hero. His relationship with his friends, foes, and New York City is just as critical as his relationship with himself. Despite decades worth of heroics, Peter still struggles to believe in himself, a struggle that Simone has proven she can write well.

Simone is a strong and well-balanced writer, capable of building a deeply empathetic story while delivering shockingly thrilling action.

Simone is a strong and well-balanced writer, capable of building a deeply empathetic story while delivering shockingly thrilling action. She has frequently proven that she can confidently and skillfully handle a large and complex cast of characters while still giving each cast member multiple opportunities to grow and shine. Peter Parker finds himself broke and alone again, putting him back where he began his journey. If there is any writer capable of giving Spider-Man the growth he needs to get back on his feet while co-actively building his relationships with his villains and brutally kicking their butts, it’s Gail Simone.

Source: Reddit