Spider-Woman’s Huge Role in Secret Invasion Finally Makes Sense

Warning: contains spoilers for Spider-Woman #19!

Marvel just added vital context to why Spider-Woman played such a major (yet infamous) role in Secret Invasion. When the shape-shifting Skrull Queen Veranke selected Jessica Drew to be her chosen form to infiltrate Earth’s superhuman population, it was Spider-Woman’s face and voice that announced their intentions toward Earth. Although they failed, Jessica’s reputation and public image was obliterated, taking years to rebuild into some semblance of what it used to be. In Spider-Woman #19, Spider-Woman finally confronts the former Skrull Queen who, reveals the reason she chose to replace and impersonate the former spy and Avenger.

Due to fallout from the Devil’s Reign storyline, New York mayor Wilson Fisk has extended his vendetta against all costumed vigilantes and heroes to include Jessica Drew. Having learned her secret identity, he uses the Thunderbolts to attack her loved ones and friends. Despite threatening Fisk personally to call off his attack, the Kingpin proves how deep his influence and power extends by providing files full of information to a heavily incarcerated entity with a particular ax to grind with Jessica. The prisoner is Veranke, the former Queen and architect of the Secret Invasion, who somehow survived her fatal headshot by Norman Osborn in Secret Invasion #8. Granted an early parole thanks to Fisk, Veranke uses her shape-shifting powers to infiltrate Jessica’s life and eventually impersonates Spider-Woman yet again to kidnap her son Gerry.

In the story by Karla Pacheco and Pere Perez, Jessica intervenes on Veranke’s kidnapping, having learned the truth about her current mission. While Jessica tries to rescue her son, Veranke pursues them both, attempting to trick Spider-Woman by impersonating her close friends and allies. Jessica doesn’t have time for Veranke’s tricks and tells Captain Marvel to take her son away while she relishes a fight that’s been a long time in the making. While trading blows, Veranke admits that she chose Jessica because she felt that she was a good leader whose attributes could help ease Earth into total conquest.

Secret Invasion was a storyline years in the making with individual stories revealing how the Skrulls had subtly swapped out powerful yet recognizable individuals in the superhuman community, both heroes and villains unaware of alien traitors in their midst. Jessica Drew’s background as a double agent for Hydra, SHIELD and later a member of the Avengers seemed perfect for replacement, especially considering her potential for casual involvement in major events. However, the Skrull infiltration could have maneuvered many heroes into the same position, and it turns out Jessica was chosen not just for opportunity, but because Veranke believed she was a leader who could persuade Earth to accept Skrull rule.

Veranke’s choice to assume Jessica’s form meant Spider-Woman was not only seen as the leader but also the mastermind behind the colossal attack. Having spent years in imprisonment contemplating her failures, Veranke views the choice as a mistake, believing her victory could have been guaranteed had she chosen another form. Jessica has nothing but anger and resentment toward Veranke, having not only been her prisoner, but also returned to a world that hated and distrusted her for actions that were done in her name and image. It’s a cathartic fight, but one that reveals the Skrulls genuinely admired Spider-Woman before replacing her.

With Secret Invasion being one of the MCU’s upcoming projects and a comic sequel recently announced, Marvel revisiting one of the event’s key players lays one of its lingering questions to rest. Despite the hell Veranke put Jessica through since Secret Invasion, Spider-Woman does not kill her, choosing to focus on being a hero. Spider-Woman can at least close that chapter of her turbulent life, knowing the real reason she was chosen to be the epicenter of the Skrulls’ Secret Invasion.

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