Spider-Woman

Jessica Drew gained her powers through a combination of genetic engineering and HYDRA training, eventually becoming a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and one of Marvel's most versatile operatives, with abilities including venom blasts, wall-crawling, and pheromone manipulation.

Few characters capture the intrigue of Marvel's Modern Age quite like this Spider-Woman, who swung into the spotlight in 2005 with New Avengers #1, courtesy of the formidable creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch. She's built her legacy rubbing shoulders with some of Marvel's heaviest hitters — Luke Cage, Steve Rogers, Spider-Man, and the enigmatic Veranke among them — which speaks to the high-stakes, interconnected world she inhabits. Her appearances span New Avengers, Runaways, and Young Avengers, painting a picture of a character woven deep into the fabric of modern Marvel storytelling, with two collector-recognized key issues anchoring her significance. Twenty years of continuous presence and a roster of iconic co-stars make her well worth tracking down for any fan serious about the Modern Age.