This issue reminds me of the Spider-Gwen issue, though Way doesn't exactly reach the same heights.
Like Latour, Way hints at the fully formed world where Peni Parker resides. For example, we learn that Peni had been segregated from her family before becoming SP//dr, evidenced by her questions to "D" about her father (and predecessor as SP//dr) and the fact that she'd never met her Aunt May and Uncle Ben. But, we're not given all the information, leaving us only with some sense that she lived at some school for potential meta-teens that reminds me of Kazuo Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go." D himself opens up the possibility of a world of superheroes with whom SP//dr interacts. Does this world have an Avengers? It remains to be seen. Moreover, Peni's aunt and uncle are working for some sort of organization, but we don't have a sense if the government or a company (like Oscorp) runs it.
But, Latour managed to get us excited about these unknowns while still giving us what we needed to know about Gwen to appreciate her. Conversely, we have a pretty basic lack of understanding about SP//dr. Rather than just a radioactive spider that bit Peni once, this radioactive spider is the one in charge, choosing its host. But, it's unclear why SP//dr seeks out a specific genetic structure or if Peni's family is the only one with that structure. We also don't understand what motivates Peni. It feels like she's just doing her duty, without any real sense of agency or responsibilities. She might be trying to honor her father, but we're only left to infer that; Way doesn't do anything to make that clear.
In other words, I enjoyed the sense of mystery that came with Spider-Gwen, but we at least had the basic facts that we needed to understand her. We don't really have that with Peni. She feels like a cog in a wheel that we don't really see. If this issue was the first of a three-issue mini-series dedicated to her, we'd have plenty of time. But, Way had to recognize the limitations of a one-shot a little more than he did here.
** (two of five stars)
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