WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Ghost Spider #5 by Seanan McGuire, Takeshi Miyazawa, IG Guara, Rosi Kampe, Ian Herring, and VC's Clayton Cowles, on sale now.
Though he may not have the same notoriety as the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus or Venom, The Jackal (aka, Miles Warren) has been one of the most formidable Spider-Man villains ever since his introduction in the Bronze Age. Most notably, he's had a perverse fascination with Spider-Man's lost love, Gwen Stacy.
Now, he sets his demented sights on Spider-Gwen, an alternate universe version of Gwen Stacy. In Ghost Spider #5, the mad professor stops at nothing to reunite himself with the woman that he sees as his unquestionable soulmate. Unwilling to let anything or anyone stand in his way, The Jackal takes down everyone who dares thwart his plans, including himself!
Jackal Vs. Miles Warren
In the issue, The Jackal makes his way to Earth-GS, the home of Ghost Spider/Spider-Gwen. There, he encounters and eventually allies himself with a group of crooks who had recently vexed Ghost Spider and her friends. Eventually, he meets their boss, who is none other than the Earth-GS Miles Warren. This version of Warren is a geneticist, and Gwen's professor, much like his 616 counterpart. Unlike his demented counterpart, however, this Warren seems to be on the path of villainy without the mental breakdown and obsession of the 616 Jackal.
Conspiring together to deal with Ghost Spider, the two devise a ruse that ends in Ghost Spider's powers being compromised with a mysterious substance when she attempts to save a civilian. Capturing her, the two Warrens try to use her necklace to traverse throughout the dimensions. The attempt fails, as it is tied to her DNA. As Gwen regains consciousness, The Jackal explains who he is and expresses his unending love for her. The Earth-GS Mile Warren mocks him, laughing at the fact that he seemingly traveled to an alternate Earth just for a date.
Enraged, but having what he desires, The Jackal callously slashes Warren's throat while sporting a villainous grin. Even when expressed from what seems to be his own mouth, The Jackal refuses to allow his love for Gwen to be mocked.
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The Jackal: King of the Clones
Warren's obsession with Gwen Stacy goes way back, and was instrumental in his path to villainy. A former professor of the Earth-616 Gwen Stacy, Miles Warren had become infatuated with her, in spite of the vast age difference. When news outlets report that Spider-Man was responsible for her death on the George Washington Bridge, he develops a vendetta against the Wall Crawler, taking on the identity of The Jackal to strike against the hero.
He eventually perfects cloning, creating copies not only of Peter Parker, but also Gwen Stacy. Warren would eventually marry this clone, fulfilling his obsession. Unfortunately, the cellular degeneration that affected most of Warren's Spider-Clones would eventually claim the Gwen clone as well. This revitalized Warren's vendetta, and the infamous Clone Saga ensued. Having been denied his happy ending with Gwen several times before, it makes sense that The Jackal would go to the ends of the Earth, and even other Earths, to be reunited with the woman that he "loves."
Ghost Spider #5 is available now.