Spectacular Spider-Girl vol. 1 #5


 

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciller: Ron Frenz

Synopsis: Spider-Girl has to evade gangsters and the Jersey Devil. 

Comments: "Kurt the kid" and "Pat the olive eater" is a reference to Batwing's creators Kurt Busiek and Pat Olliffe. The Jersey Devil was first apparently seen in the Pine Barrens.  Guido's reference to "muties in the sewer" could be a reference to the Morlocks. Spider-Girl is familiar with writers by knowing who Jean-Paul Satre is and paraphrasing "The rumors of my death..." quote attributed to Mark Twain. She did know who Joseph Campbell in Amazing Spider-Girl #25. Also, this is apparently Spider-Girl's first trip to New Jersey since she said in Spider-Girl #98 that she had never been to New Jersey. 





Spider-Girl mentions Pennsylvania. Both Spider-Girl's main pencillers, Ron Frenz and Pat Olliffe, are from Pennsylvania. 



With Spider-Girl throwing up and Nunzio needing to relieve himself, there's a lot of reference to bodily functions on this page. 


Batwing first appeared in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #2.  His father died in an accident that transformed James Santini into Batwing. Cast off by his religious mother, Spider-Man was able to help semi-cure Batwing by giving him the ability to turn human and Batwing was accepted by his mother again. Both Tom and Ron had familiarity with Batwing. Ron penciled Untold Tales of Spider-Man #9 and Tom scripted Untold Tales of Spider-Man #24. 










Batwing transforms back into Father Santini and gives Spider-Girl a ride back to New York City, which is 90 miles (144 km). Spider-Girl asks to be dropped off at the George Washington Bridge. Norman Osborn possessing Peter Parker pointed out to Mary Jane in Amazing Spider-Girl #30 that it always leads back to the George Washington Bridge, the site of Gwen Stacy's death. 


                                                          
 










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