The Marvel multiverse is full of countless versions of many notable characters, including a host of different Spider-Men and Spider-Women who've dedicated themselves to protecting their worlds. One of the most engaging new ones though is relatively underutilized, despite being one of the most engaging versions of May Parker ever introduced. Now, we're taking a closer look at Lady Spider, the steampunk version of May Parker introduced in the original Spider-Verse event.
"Steampunk Lady Spider" by Robbie Thompson, Denis Medri, Paolo Francescutto, and Travis Lanham introduced a new version of May Reilly to the Marvel Multiverse, who in many worlds became more commonly known as Peter Parker's Aunt May. In the steampunk-inspired world of Earth-803 however, there is no Peter Parker to be bit by a radioactive spider. Instead, the technologically-advanced May became a hero in her own right, inspired by the sight of a spider fighting to break free from her father's cage. Born in the latter days of the 19th century, the scientifically-minded May finds herself bristling against the limitations that her situation tries to push against her.
One of the chief ways May exerts her freedom is by inventing a pair of web-shooters and a four-armed harness that assists her in combat and traveling across the rooftops of her New York City. May also adopts a red and blue costume, taking on the name Lady Spider and combating the various villains who exist within her reality. This includes the Six Men of Sinestry -- composed of the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Kraven, Vulture, and Mysterio. Notably, it appears that the Mysterio of this realm is the leader of the villains instead of the more typical Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus, and his illusions are chalked up to genuine magic.
Lady Spider was exposed to the greater Marvel Multiverse during the events of Spider-Verse, when she was one of the many heroes threatened by their connection to the Web of Life. Although she lacked the same powers that made many of the other versions of Spider-Man so fearsome in a fight -- something that briefly saves her life when briefly caught by one of the Inheritors -- Lady Spider's incredible intellect made her invaluable to Spider-Man 2099's attempts to examine the body of the Inheirotors in search of any weaknesses. Despite the radically different technologies of this era, Lady Spider helped discover one of the keys to victory. She helped Spider-Man 2099 bring the damaged Leopardon robot back to her timeline for repairs -- with the two teaming up to bring down a trap set for Lady Spider by her enemies.
Lady Spider went on to be a part of the Spider-Army in the final battle against the Inheritors and became a consistent ally to the Web-Warriors when they dedicated themselves to fighting against threats across the multiverse -- forging a bond with Billy Braddock, Spider-UK and former member of the Captain Britain Corps, along the way. Her world even became the location of a major battle against the Battery, one of the most powerful version of Electro in the multiverse. Her fellow British Spider-Hero would later die in Spider-Geddon, leaving Ghost-Spider to eventually inform May of Billy's demise. In tribute to her fallen friend, May buried him in her family cemetery -- holding one final ceremony with many other multiversal Spider-Heroes.
Lady Spider is a fun creation, theoretically Marvel's equivalent to something like the fan-favorite Gotham by Gaslight incarnation of the DC Universe. If the Spider-Verse ever opens back up, then Lady Spider could -- and should -- receive a grander spotlight to showcase her unique skill-set and perspective on the world.