Spider-Gwen’s Fight Moves Are Inspired By Real-Life Ballet And Dance Poses

Most people weren’t familiar with the fan-favorite Marvel hero Spider-Gwen before her movie debut in 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but the iconic spider gal now has some mainstream buzz all of her own. Her cool crime-fighting attitude, her confidence, and her killer blue ballet-inspired sneakers are only a few of the many reasons fans adore her. But, did you know her costume aesthetic isn’t just for looks? There’s a reason Gwen rocks those chic ballet, pointe shoes; her fighting style is actually inspired by rigorous ballet and dance techniques. Let’s explore those moves!

Readers first saw this fun version of Gwen Stacy’s neon, color-pop style in 2014’s Edge of Spider-Verse#2. She’s angsty, driven, and tougher than her traditional role in the classic Spider-Man comics. In this alternate reality, it’s Gwen who gets the infamous arachnid nibble, inherits the radioactive wall-crawling powers, and holds her beloved Peter Parker as he tragically perishes in her arms. She goes to-to-toe with Matt Murdock, Kingpin, and the iconic Norman Osborn. Her spider powers give her enhanced agility and flexibility, two things simply perfect for incorporating ballet into her role as the street-fighting hero of an alternate reality.

In her first comic appearances, Gwen’s shoes are black sneakers, highlighted with a bright-blue edge that evokes a ballet-flat shoe. In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, her shoes are updated to be actual ballet slippers. So, why the focus on dance? Spider-Gwen creators Rodriguez and Latour claimed they liked these looks for the purpose of Gwen’s smooth, agile fighting style, with dance giving Gwen a unique physicality compared to other Spider-heroes. There’s also symbolic value in Spider-Gwen drawing her fight moves from ballet – a style of dance usually seen as feminine while also being acknowledged as incredibly difficult and physically grueling. Indeed, ballet is also an enduring part of the Black Widow’s origin and training, putting Spider-Gwen in some kick-ass company.

In classical ballet, lines are everything. To a non-dancer, lines are the perfect silhouettes a dancer makes from one tip of an appendage to another. No crooked feet or knocked knees are ever allowed. This is where arabesques, leaps, and extensions come into play. Extensions, you say? Spider-Gwen is full of them. Edge of Sider-Verse#2 showcases Spider-Gwen’s love of aerial cartwheels and extension combos as she navigates her city and defeats her foes. In The Amazing Spider-Man #14, readers are graced with an epic image of Spider-Gwen flipping upside-down into a perfect arial extension as she teams up with Spider-Woman and Spider-Man against the Green Goblin(s). In Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider#10, readers are gifted with yet another stellar image of Gwen, upside-down, generating seamless lines and perfectly arched feet. Spider-Gwen Annual #1 features a fresh remix of ballet-inspired hip-hop moves for this iteration of Gwen; the grace is all there, blended into a brilliant contemporary street-dance smoothie. In this way, ballet isn’t just an inspiration for Spider-Gwen’s aesthetic, but a constant influence on the way in which artists depict her powers.

About The Author