Leave it to one of the Guardians of the Galaxy to take one look at Spider-Woman’s classic costume and catch a detail that can’t be unseen. The way that Jessica Drew was drawn for a variant cover has sparked controversy for Marvel Comics before, but this quick assessment of her costume by a fellow superhero has found something risqué in its overall design. It is a subtle aspect that has been right under fans’ noses the entire time.
For decades, Spider-Woman has donned an iconic red costume with yellow triangles on her forehead, chest, and midsection, completing the look with yellow boots and gloves. Drew began her history as a Hydra villain, but quickly saw the organization for what it was. When rejecting their influence, she let her hair down, turning to her own brand of heroics that saw her join the Avengers and New Avengers at various times. Lately, Spider-Woman’s crimefighting is too reckless for the Avengers, as her intensity has increased dramatically and she is disregarding bystanders’ safety. She has even alienated Captain Marvel, her best friend.
In short, Drew has always had ample reason to be in a sour mood, so having her costume critiqued by an unlikely source did not sit well. Though many members of the Guardians are capable of crass observation, it was Rocket Raccoon who wasted no time with pleasantries upon meeting Spider-Woman in Guardians Team-Up #1 by Brian M. Bendis and Paul Mounts. After joining the long list of people who have ruffled Rocket’s fur by calling him a raccoon, he snapped back at Spider-Woman, questioning her wardrobe choice. “Suddenly I’m talking to an earth-gal who wears a uniform pointing down to her you-know-what.” After a brief moment to look down, confirming the truth of his words, Spider-Woman stormed off.
Drew is no stranger to being overtly sexualized, as Marvel had to censor a Spider-Woman variant cover from Italian artist Milo Manara by strategically inserting wording over where her costume clung to her backside in revealing fashion. Even with that part of her body leaving nothing to the imagination, the nature of the pose and the unrealistic proportions drew plenty of ire from comic fans, media, and even industry professionals. All wasn’t lost, however, as an admittedly awesome costume re-design followed the widespread backlash.
Drew’s character history is an understandably frustrating one, with her life and likeness being stolen by Skrulls to plot an invasion of Earth and her knowing that the life-threatening disease from her childhood could return at any moment. There is plenty of justifiable angst on those fronts alone - but being sexualized in this fashion remains a sensitive subject, meaning that Rocket poured salt onto a wound that is still healing. She takes small steps in this direction, such as when Spider-Woman gave a misogynist his comeuppance, stealing his motorcycle from underneath him after a lewd comment on her backside, but has a ways to go. That is why having it pointed out where Spider-Woman’s triangles are pointing was the ultimate faux paw (pun intended) on Rocket’s part and a wisecrack from the Guardians of the Galaxy that definitely hit below the belt.