Body swap stories have proven to be trouble for comic book characters for nearly as long as the medium has existed. Whether it was when Superman got switched with a TV actor, or when Spider-Man and Venom found themselves embodying a squirrel and a cat, or the countless other times it’s happened, readers have seen more than their fair share of Freaky Fridays. But few of those situations ended in such a hilarious and senselessly violent manner as when Spider-Gwen and Wolverine switched minds in the All New Wolverine Annual #1.
The story opens in the Bronx with Laura Kinney’s Wolverine screaming at her clone Gabby to stay back as she throws herself out a window, seemingly trying to swing between buildings as if she’d had webshooters. Failing that, she plummets to the street and demolishes a car below. When Gabby tells Laura she’s making a scene, Laura confusedly insists her name is Gwen Stacy. Meanwhile, in Spider-Gwen’s universe, Gwen similarly feels unlike herself in the middle of a gig, with her body now housing Wolverine’s mind. A comedy of errors ensue as both characters try to familiarize themselves with the other’s bodies and abilities until the Spider-Gwen universe version of Richard Reeds shows up and transports her into Wolverine’s universe to swap back. It’s all very convoluted and it’s not about to get any simpler.
The pair meet, and after some particularly awkward getting-to-know-yous, decide to team up and figure out how to get themselves back into their own universes (and bodies). Finding a villain called Red Hornet to be responsible, the duo enter her lair, looking for answers. Preparing to brawl, Wolvergwen balls her fists and brings them toward her face in a fighter’s stance. Spiderine tries to warn her of what’s about to happen… but it’s too late.
The next panel cuts back to a cringing “Gwen,” because when someone with Wolverine’s claws points their fists in the direction of their face, it’s never a good thing when the next sound you hear is SNIKT. Red Hornet almost vomits over the ordeal, with her actual plot meant to go after the original Logan Wolverine, making this entire situation just a big misunderstanding. “Gwen” removes “Wolveine’s” claws from her skull, allowing her healing factor to kick in and get her back on her feet. Once both heroes are again among the living, Red Hornet is able to warp them both back into their original minds and universes.
All New Wolverine Annual #1 seems to have been written with a decidedly tongue-in-cheek vibe (look no further than Wolver-Hampton, the Wolverine equivalent of Spider-Ham that shows up in the book), but it all makes for a fun read with some decidedly farcical twists on the body swap trope. And if readers learn nothing else from it, the takeaway is to be careful scratching any itches if you find yourself body swapped with Wolverine.
