MC2 A Day

Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Pat Olliffe Synopsis: Lady Octopus breaks Canis out of prison to form an alliance.  Comments: This is a Pat Olliffe issue that advances the main arc. His fill ins on issues #71 and #80 where villain of the month stories that did not advance the overall story arc.  Oh look, there's Felicity after nearly two years.  Canis is having trouble in prison and not getting the luxury treatment like Fisk. It's like what Mike Ehrmantraut told Walter White.  Looks like Elan and the Black Tarantula are both wanting a partner and will team up to get them. 

  Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Ron Frenz Synopsis: Spider-Girl pursues the cat burglar, the Claw.  Comments: Spider-Girl is still wearing her shrunken suit.  Kaine's scars are almost unnoticeable at this point. A similar thing happened in Game of Thrones in which the Hound's scars became less prominent as he became a better person. It also happened in Cobra Kai. Eli/Hawk's cleft palate scar became less noticeable as his confidence grew.  There's Stacy, the salesgirl.  I once thought the Claw might be Gene Thompson (Flash and Felicia's son) since he's young and cat themed and we hadn't been introduced to Gene Thompson yet. This is Claw's only appearance. He would have made a good foe for Freebooter and they could have had a suave off.  First appearance of Elan DeJunae. 

  Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Ron Frenz Synopsis: Spider-Girl battles the mob and Lady Octopus.  Comments: Trainer being referred to as "Lady Octopus" is probably a reference to the main 616 books in that when the original Doctor Octopus was resurrected, Trainer started being called Lady Octopus to differentiate the two.  Spider-Man also had costume difficulties when Peter bought a costume that began to shrink on him and, like May, he had to web the costume to shore it up in Amazing Spider-Man # 26 and #27.  Spider-Girl makes several references to the Superbowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake.  The consequences for Jackson and Timberlake is still discussed today. 

  Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Pat Olliffe Synopsis: Spider-Girl teams up with J2 and Doc Magus to battle an extra-dimensional menace.  Comments: Apparently  Namor's, last seen in J2 #12, currently whereabouts are unknown.  "Shoot an email." This was 2004, before unlimited texting and social media.  Deacon's Den was said to have closed down in J2 #12 and was replaced by a laundromat. So the "new" must indicate it's reopening at a new location.  Punk'd. There's a topical reference.  The goop landing on Spider-Girl will have far reaching consequences for her costume.  Lt. Haberstein previously appeared in Spider-Girl #54. This is her last appearance. This subplot with JJ thinking he's found out who Spider-Girl is goes nowhere.  Fastball Special was the attack Wolverine and Colossus would do. May's look at the end. That's all, folks!

  Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Ron Frenz Synopsis: An admirer gives Spider-Girl assistance against Drs. Jade and Octopus.  Comments: First appearance of Spider-Girl's SWAT team, courtesy of the Black Tarantula.  There seems to be some disconnect between what DeFalco writes and what Frenz draws on how Spider-Girls escapes her bonds. The artwork seems to show Spider-Girl snapping her cuffs when she has a moment to concentrate, but the text says Man-Wolf's claws help slash through them. I don't think Man-Wolf's claws are drawn anywhere near them.  The Black Tarantula seems to have taken a shine to Spider-Girl. He's likely unaware of her age or perhaps it wouldn't matter to him. It's reminiscent of how the Black Cat was in love with Spider-Man, but couldn't bear to look at Peter Parker. The Black Tarantula is a hereditary title like the Black Panther or the Phantom, passed down from father to son. Fabian LaMuerto probably sees Spider-Girl as the ideal mate...

  Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Ron Frenz Synopsis: Dr. Jade and the new Doctor Octopus kidnap John Jameson.  Comments: John's wife is Ashley Kafka, who was a psychiatrist for supervillains at Ravencroft Institute. I don't think Ravencroft ever caught on like Arkham Asylum.  First appearance of Chris Jarkoer who looks like a young Ron Frenz to me.  Surprised "whipped" in used in that context for an all ages comic.  The rogue genetic engineer Ashley is referring to is probably Arnim Zola. Zola kidnapped the homeless in Thunderbolts #4.  Carolyn Trainer (or Trainor) first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #406, which was written by J.M. DeMatteis. However, most of her appearances in the 90s were written by Tom DeFalco.  John's alter ego Man-Wolf first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #124 (John himself first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #1). He also went by the name Stargod when he was in werewolf form. Not to be confused with Starlord (Peter Quill)....

  Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Ron Frenz Synopsis:  Spider-Girl is concerned for the Buzz who goes on a rampage against criminals when Dr. Jade returns.  Comments: Spider-Girl seems to be reference "The More You Know" specials when she saves that kid from being run over. Or she could be referencing G.I. Joe's "Knowing is Half the Battle."  Dr. Jade is back after having supposedly drowned in The Buzz #3. She wears a black costume now instead of a, um, jade one. 

Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciller: Ron Frenz   Synopsis: Spider-Girl deals with anti-mutant hate at her school.  Comments: The "M" in Nancy's hand that she thinks marks her as a mutant was used in Firestar #1, written by Tom DeFalco.  Pretty unsettling imagery hanging Nancy in effigy with a slur.  Megyn appears again. She continues to slip under people's radar.  Sandra's life seems to be moving in a better direction.  Brad is revealed to be an anti-mutant jerk.  Nancy leaving with the X-People is quite poignant.  May's new hairstyle reveal is a nod to the reveal of Mary Jane in Amazing Spider-Man #42.