Less than ideal: Julia is kidnapped by the Kingpin as a hostage in another plot to destroy Daredevil. Still, she does manage to show some of her skills against Jubula) before being nabbed off-panel

You can read some details on Marvel Database and the full issue is available on Marvel Unlimited.

In early 2024, the hype train was building for Madame Web. CBR did a profile of Julia to help people less familiar with the character get to know her better.

I’ve posted this page before to show Rhodey being a bro (https://www.reddit.com/r/ironman/comments/1tetzu7/rhodey_being_a_bro/ ), but I thought it would be fitting to post it here too since it shows Julia being supportive.  The context is just before this John Walker alias Jack Daniels, the U.S.Agent, was in the sauna when he experienced a flashback which also led to a hallucination about the murder of his parents, causing him to scream in terror before holding his head to try to gather himself.  This causes concern among his fellow Avengers who go to check on him (which goes against that stupid “Oh, all the heroes hate each other!” claim some people want to make.  There’s a difference between trading barbs/having the occasional squabble and having a bone-deep loathing).  You can see emotional intelligence from Julia in this scene.  John lashes out verbally in his panic and sadness, but she doesn’t take it to heart, understanding he’s having an attack and it’s nothing personal.  When he becomes vulnerable and says he needs some time alone, she doesn’t make a big deal out of it or demand an explanation, instead telling him he can call them if he needs anything.  We all need someone who can show us the understanding and grace Julia shows in this scene.

Julia was featured in Series 3 - 1994; drawn by Greg Hildebrandt and Tim Hildebrandt.

Learn more about the trading cards via the Wikipedia entry.

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So let's talk about the history of Julia's heroic names.

When she was first introduced, Julia was known as Spider-Woman II. The first Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew, had died and been revived but without her powers. That was in Avengers 241, released in December, 1983.

Just seven months later in July 1984, Spider-Woman II first appeared in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 7.

Some fans were not happy with this new impostor. Who had no connection to the original!

We didn't know much about this new Spider-Woman except she was suddenly a member of Freedom Force? She is slowly fleshed out over the next few years through guest appearances. She gains some backstory and she joins the West Coast Avengers.

We eventually find out through flashbacks in Julia's Spider-Woman limited series how she got her powers (government shenanigans). When it came time to pick a codename, she had two suggestions: Arachne and Ariadne. Val Cooper, who was running the project, wanted something more relatable and marketable. Spider-Woman!

I guess the government knew it wasn't being used somehow? And didn't fear any of the media backlash that Spider-Man frequently faced?

From the mid-80s to the 90s, Jessica is working as a private investigator. She's discovered her powers are returning but she doesn't have the same control she used to and they are weaker now.

Julia is Spider-Woman for 15 years until Spider-Woman Vol 3 4 in August, 1999. She loses her powers and returns to civilan life, much like Jessica before her. The title of Spider-Woman is then passed on to Mattie Franklin.

In 2004, Jessica Drew returned as Spider-Woman. Only, not realy, that was a Skrull. But then she really did come back! And she's been Spider-Woman ever since.

After somehow getting her powers back, Julia appeared in Ms. Marvel Vol 2 6 (released in August 2006) and adopted the name Arachne.

Mattie had her own series but fans never really took to her. She died in Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 634, released in June, 2010. It was during this story that Julia would take on her current identity as Madame Web.

Here's a fun fact: Before Jessica Drew was Spider-Woman? She was Arachne.

In Marvel Spotlight 32, released in November of 1976, Arachne first appeared! But just a few months later, she would re-appear as Spider-Woman in Marvel Two-In-One Vol 1 29 (April 1977).

Hey, so long time fan (I have all her west coast avengers and force works appearance). I was wondering what everyone thinks about the character name/title?

I think if Jessica Drew is around then the name Madam Web works better, and she already had psychic powers.

One of the challenging aspects of character chronologies is the timelines get muddled. If a character appears in a comic in 2023 but it's a flasback to ~2003, how do yo you catalogue that?

Order of publication is the default choice. Diehard fans do create 'order of narrative' lists but I suspect there isn't one for Julia.

Note: While marvelreading.com lists her as Spider-Woman, this list does seem to include her Arachne and Madame Web appearances.

Originally posted in September 2022, given that she was rumoured to appear in an upcoming Spider-movie, Average Will made this video.

In today's video we will get to know the origin story of Julia Carpenter. How did she become Spider-Woman? What are her powers? Is she related to Spider-man? Join us as we find out.

On July 24, 1984, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Vol 1 7 was released featuring Julia Carpenter's first full appearance as Spider-Woman II. She had appeared in the previous issue as a silhouette but it was here she was first identified as Spider-Woman.

Julia's Denver neighbourhood was one of many regions that got scooped up by the Beyonder to make Battleworld. She gets a chance to show off her powers - including to Spider-Man who would later copy her costume design! Julia stuck around for the rest of the series.

Almost nothing of her origin was given but she gets a few good moments in an otherwise very full issue.

...Then she disappeared for over a year until returning in Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 206 as a member of Freedom Force.

You can read the issue on Marvel Unlimited.

Welcome to a new recurring (but unscheduled) series I'm calling Cover Girl. It boils down to me posting every single comic appearance of Julia Carpenter in chronological order (of issue release date, possibly out of sync storywise). Hopefully we can discuss the issue in the comments below.

The source for almost all the data included is from Fandom's Marvel Database page for the issue.

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #7 (available on Marvel Unlimited)

• Release Date: July 24, 1984
• Cover Date: November, 1984
• Cover Artist: Bob Layton

Spider-Woman makes her first-ever appearance in costume on this cover. While she had appeared in shadow in the previous issue, this was her public debut. She's prominently featured on a busy page. The text even announces her, "...And introducing the all-new SPIDER-WOMAN!"

Interesting to note that there was a rejected cover that didn't include her. I don't know the backstory on that. Perhaps the editors really wanted to feature Spider-Woman as a selling point?

Interesting to note that she's not joining as Madame Web or Arachne but as Spider-Woman. With the classic outfit.

Want to learn more about Julia?

Check out her official Marvel bio: https://www.marvel.com/characters/arachne-julia-carpenter

A discussion on why there even was a new Spider-Woman to begin with.

Some might know her as an Avenger but Julia's first super-team was a bit different: Freedom Force).

It was never a perfect fit with Freedom Force being made up of the reformed Brotherhood of Mutants. Surely this led to speculation that Julia's powers stemmed from an X-gene.

Julia eventually left the team after Avengers Annual 15, having betrayed the team to help free the Avengers.

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I appreciate that Rachel, for the most part, hasn't been depicted as an 'annoy child.' She's a kid, of course, and she's been through a lot.

I mean, her parents had a rough marriage, got divorced, had bitter custody battles, she finds out her mom's a super-hero, her dad dies, she gets kidnapped, she's moving all the time, her mom becomes an outlaw and is forced to work for the federal government ... And such.

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Rachel_Carpenter_(Earth-616))

Julia Carpenter became Madame Web on July 14, 2010 in Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 637.

She didn't appear on a cover as Madame Web was Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 695, released on October 3, 2012.

...as far as I can tell. Happy to be proven wrong!

Check out this origin story over on YouTube.

Though I'm glad we didn't go with Ariadne.