Spider-Woman Redefines the Meaning of Her Iconic Red & Yellow Costume

Warning: Contains spoilers for Spider-Woman (2023) #7!

Spider-Woman’s classic red-and-yellow costume may not seem fit for spy duties, but Marvel has just established why Jessica Drew can get away with the flashy colors. Since her 1976 Marvel Comics debut, Jessica has worked for Hydra, S.H.I.E.L.D., S.W.O.R.D, and as a private investigator. While she’s sported various costumes over her years of espionage, she always goes back to her iconic colorful look.

The preview pages for Spider-Woman #7 – by Steve Foxe, Ig Guara, and Arif Prianto – feature Jessica mentioning that her best friend Carol Danvers, the hero Captain Marvel, teases her about the lack of discretion with her spider-suit. However, Jessica confidently proclaims that she doesn’t need to rely on blending in because she’s just that good at being stealthy.

Spider-Woman also credits some of her old S.H.I.E.L.D. tech with assisting her spy adventures, but mostly, she succeeds in her missions because she’s “really good.” Either way, it’s clear that the hero can handle going toe-to-toe with abominable threats even when stealth fails.

Jessica Drew’s Prototypical Red & Yellow Costume Isn’t Going Anywhere

It Is Synonymous With Spider-Woman

Spider-Woman’s preference for her classic costume solidifies that Marvel doesn’t need to trade in the iconic red and yellow suit for a more grounded look, though they have tried in previous iterations. Most recently, Jessica got a sleek red and black costume update when she returned in Spider-Woman (2020) #1 – by Karla Pacheco, Pere Pérez, Paulo Siqueira, Oren Junior, and Frank D’Armata. This costume was created for Spider-Woman when she took a mysterious job, and it was later revealed that the suit was secretly tracking the hero. After just ten issues, Jessica went back to her classic costume in Spider-Woman (2020) #11.

Spider-Woman’s costume also toned down the use of yellow when she was pregnant, at the beginning of her 2015 run, a stylistic decision that carried over to the version of Jessica Drew that appeared in 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Since Earth-616’s Spider-Woman eventually returned to the classic look, it’s worth speculating whether the Issa Rae-voiced Jessica will receive the prototypical suit in any future appearances. Use of the iconic costume is an increasingly important factor for the character, as Spider-Woman (2023) #7 confirms Jessica’s penchant for the original red-and-yellow is a reflection of her confidence.

Spider-Woman Costume Proves That She Has Nothing To Hide

And No One To Fear

In her next arc, Jessica Drew’s identity as a spy will take the backseat as Spider-Woman assumes a mentor role to young superheroes. Hoping to get her mind off of the complicated situation surrounding her son – an aged-up Gerry Drew is currently in the clutches of Hydra – Jessica returns to San Francisco, where she meets the New Champions. There have been hints in solicitations for the upcoming issues that the young heroes that Spider-Woman takes under her webbed wing may not be so heroic, meaning Jessica will have to use her spy skills to discern their true motives after all.

While Jessica Drew may need to go back into spy mode when she least expects it, she doesn’t need to change her costume to do it. While her classic costume may seem too bright and colorful to benefit her investigative work, Jessica confidently proclaims in Spider-Woman #7 that she doesn’t need to hide in subtle colors to succeed as a stealthy agent. Spider-Woman’s red-and-yellow costume visually exemplifies the character’s skills, and is easily her most iconic look in her Marvel Comics history.