Marvel presents Spider-Gwen Annual #1, Spider-Gwen's second yearly special, punctuating the conclusion of the Shadow Clones arc. Written by Karla Pacheco, illustrated by Rosi Kämpe and Marika Cresta, with colors by Irma Kniivila and letters by VC's Ariana Maher, Spider-Gwen Annual #1 continues Marvel's overarching Contest of Chaos event. With the heart of the elder god Chthon in the hands of Agatha Harkness, Ghost-Spider is unknowingly thrust into single combat that could decide the fate of the universe.
Spider-Gwen Annual #1 opens with the unlikely scene of Gwen Stacy being roused by her squire and wizard assistant to prepare for an all-out assault on the castle gates -- enemy forces closing in on the keep and their magical orb that protects the kingdom. On the battlefield, Ghost-Spider meets her rival, Ami Han, AKA The White Fox, but together, they quickly realize that something much more cosmic and complicated is afoot.
Spider-Gwen Annual #1 is brimming with dynamic dialogue and comedic beats and has a masterful grasp of tone that keeps the story moving. Pacheco quickly finds the narrative voice of the issue, building a great sense of pace and wit that reflects the characters perfectly. The annual is funny and light-hearted, with a distinct sense of buoyancy that gives extra punch to the dramatic conclusion. Unfortunately, the meat of the story is fairly paltry, following a plot structure that feels formulaic despite its elevated execution. Co-opting the annual special in favor of another installment in a 1v1 Face-Off Event feels like a missed opportunity, with the issue feeling much more like Contest of Chaos #6 than anything oriented around Gwen that expands her lore or character. The appendix chapter Contest of Chaos Part 5 (Phillips, Foche, Angulo) continues the ongoing mythos and adds to this effect, leaving Gwen Stacy a contestant when she should be the issue's centerpiece.
The art of Spider-Gwen Annual #1 has a stylized quality with a retro feel just below the surface. Working in thin but multiple lines, Kämpe and Cresta create a world that is aesthetically interesting without feeling too dense or complex, perfectly matching the fluffy tone of the writing. The full-page panels are a lot of fun, punctuating the best narrative moments with bombastic visuals that feel iconic and memorable. The action scenes are also impressive, flowing with a real sense of motion and momentum from one panel to the next.
The colors slowly become richer and more intense as Spider-Gwen Annual #1 progresses. Kniivila moves from a balmy fantasy pallet to moody and atmospheric darkness. Kniivila's use of light and contrast is impressive, creating some striking neon moments that pop off the page. Maher's letters are clear and well-constructed throughout. The alternate lettering used for the cybernetic voice that appears at the conclusion is visually interesting and surprisingly onomatopoeic.
Spider-Gwen Annual #1 succeeds as a Contest of Chaos installment, but audiences looking for a more Gwen-centric experience may come away disappointed. The illustration, colors, and dialogue are charming, but the plot is hampered by its self-imposed framework, and a lack of creative leeway prevents the comic from being truly memorable. Although it is nice to see Gwen incorporated into large-scale overarching narratives, it very much comes at the cost of a rare Ghost-Spider one-shot when it feels like Contest of Chaos could be its own run rather than spreading itself across individual characters' yearly specials.