Spider-Woman #17

Spider-Woman #17, published in September 1979, emerged during a transitional period for Marvel Comics as the publisher sought to expand its roster of female-led titles. The issue was written by Mark Gruenwald and Steven Grant, with artwork by Carmine Infantino. It is most notable for being a key chapter in the character's early development, as the creative team attempted to ground Jessica Drew within the wider Marvel Universe while navigating the narrative challenges of a series still defining its core identity.

The issue is historically significant to collectors primarily due to the debut of the character Gypsy Moth, a villain created by Gruenwald and Infantino. The design of the antagonist reflected the late 1970s fascination with eclectic, visually distinct power sets, and Infantino’s distinct, angular illustrative style provided a stark contrast to the more traditional superhero aesthetic of the era. The issue is widely regarded by fans of Bronze Age comics as a showcase for Infantino’s specific approach to pacing and character design.