Mattie Franklin
Martha "Mattie" Franklin is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer John Byrne and artist Rafael Kayanan, Mattie Franklin first appeared in The Spectacular Spider-Man #262 (October 1998).[1] She is the niece of the Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson.[2] She gained various superpowers after participating in an arcane ritual.[3] Her admiration for Peter Parker / Spider-Man inspired her to become a superhero when he disappeared.[4] Mattie Franklin is the third character who adopted the Spider-Woman codename.[5]
Mattie Franklin
Spider-Woman
As Martha "Mattie" Franklin:
In shadow: The Spectacular Spider-Man #262
(October 1998)
Full appearance:
The Amazing Spider-Man #441
(November 1998)
As Spider-Woman:
The Amazing Spider-Man #5
(May 1999)
Martha "Mattie" Franklin
Human mutate
New U Technologies
Loners
Spider-Woman
- Superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina and reflexes
- Psionic spider legs and webbing
- Ability to cling to solid surfaces
- Precognitive "Spider Sense"
- Flight at subsonic speeds
- Bio-electricity projection
- Mild telepathy
Mattie Franklin / Spider-Woman made her cinematic debut in Sony's Spider-Man Universe film Madame Web (2024) and is portrayed by Celeste O'Connor.
Publication history[edit]
1990s[edit]
Mattie Franklin debuted in the shadows in The Spectacular Spider-Man #262 (October 1998).[6] Her first full appearance was in The Amazing Spider-Man #441 (November 1998). She later appeared as Spider-Woman in The Amazing Spider-Man #5 (May 1999). The beginning of a three-part crossover led directly into the launch of her own Spider-Woman series.[7] Like Spider-Woman volume 1, Spider-Woman volume 3 pitted the protagonist against macabre and grotesque villains, and featured a closing story arc in which she looks into a mirror and sees her own face shriveled down to skin and bones. As a running joke, Spider-Woman constantly changes costumes throughout the series, including a four-issue run (#2–5) in which she adopts a new costume every issue. However, sales were mediocre and the series was cancelled with issue #18 (December 2000).
2000s[edit]
Mattie Franklin appeared in the 2001 Alias series.[8] She returned after an almost two-year absence for a six-issue story. However, the character spends the entire story (save a three-page epilogue) in a semi-conscious state. She appeared in the 2005 limited series Loners.[9] This is her first active adventure in more than six years. She appeared in the 2016-2017 Silk series.[10]
Powers and abilities[edit]
Mattie Franklin possesses a range of superhuman powers. She gained her abilities after participating in the Gathering of Five ceremony.[34] She was granted the gift of "Power."[35] Her powers are similar to those of Peter Parker / Spider-Man.[36] She has superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, reflexes.[37] Mattie Franklin also possesses the ability to fly at subsonic speeds and psionic spider legs.[38]
After a battle with Charlotte Witter, Mattie Franklin briefly lost her powers before regaining not only her own powers, but also those of Witter, the two previous Spider-Women, Jessica Drew and Julia Carpenter, and Madame Web.[39] After a short time, Julia and Jessica regained their powers, which left Mattie with her original abilities and those of Charlotte Witter.[40]
Reception[edit]
Analysis[edit]
Rachel Ulatowski of The Mary Sue stated Mattie Franklin has the most dark and tragic backstory of all Spider characters.[41] Maham Arsalan of Comic Book Resources compared Mattie Franklin to Peter Parker and called her an unlucky character with a turbulent dark existence that can surprise fans,[42] while Sam Stone dedicated an entire article exposing her "tragic fate."[43] Liam McGuire of Screen Rant described the life of Mattie Franklin as one of the most tragic and "messed-up" ones a superhero can have.[44]
Other versions[edit]
Marvel Universe vs. The Avengers[edit]
An alternate version of Mattie Franklin appears in Marvel Universe vs. The Avengers. When a plague turned the world's population into cannibals, she was among the many superheroes who succumbed to it. She was seen battling Black Widow, alongside her infected mentor Jessica Drew.[45]
Spider-Verse[edit]
An alternate version of Mattie Franklin appears in the Spider-Verse. She makes a brief cameo in the Spider-Verse storyline as part of the Spider-Army.[48]
In other media[edit]
Film[edit]
Mattie Franklin appears in Madame Web, portrayed by Celeste O'Connor.[49] This version is an affluent yet rebellious African American teenager who is estranged from her wealthy parents, who are busy with a project across the ocean.[50] After being targeted by Ezekiel Sims, whose prophetic visions lead him to believe she might kill him in the future, Franklin is rescued by Cassie Webb, who eventually trains her in becoming a superhero.