Spider-Woman #16 All You Need is Hate

Issue Description

The Spider-Woman arrives at the Hatros Institute for Emotional Research, late for work. Quickly changing out of her costume, the Spider-Woman, as Jessica Drew, reports to Doctor Leaman. Drew is lead, by Leaman, to see a specialist, Doctor Morgan Sachs, a professor of physiology. Sachs runs Drew through a half-hour exam. After observing Drew's therapy sessions for the past six weeks, Leaman came to believe her social problems were more physiological than psychological. Sachs confirms this theory. Drew exudes a pheromone that draws men to her, while at the same time, repelling women. Sachs gives Drew medication to suppress her pheromones.

Leaman invites Drew to a staff party, at Adrienne Hatros' home. S.H.I.E.L.D agents, Jerry Hunt and Laura Brown, report on their investigation into the disappearances of two S.H.I.E.L.D agents. Hunt, and Brown, had been attacked, overpowered, and abducted by the Cult of Kali. Upon regaining consciousness, they found themselves in an underground mausoleum. The Cult of Kali had been subdued. The missing S.H.I.E.L.D. agents' bodies were also discovered. Hunt suspects that the Spider-Woman may have been involved. Drew arrives at the Hatros Estate. After being buzzed into the house, Drew finds herself, seemingly, alone. There are no other party guests.

Adrienne Hatros appears, identifying herself as Nekra. As Nekra descends the stairs, she reflects back on her past. At 14 years of age, Nekra ran away from unloving parents, quickly making the acquaintance of the Mandrill. The two soon discovered they were mutants, and used their newfound abilities in an attempt to overthrow the United States Government. This plot was thwarted by the intervention of Daredevil, the Black Widow, and Shanna the She-Devil. Nekra was turned over to S.H.I.E.L.D. Her mutant ability to convert hatred into super-human strength and invulnerability was suppressed by drugs.

A news report, regarding a rally held by the Hate Monger, broadcast actual waves of hatred through Nekra's television, jumpstarting her mutant powers. Nekra escaped from S.H.I.E.L.D. Shortly thereafter, she encountered the Cult of Kali. Nekra offered herself as a sacrifice, knowing her invulnerability would protect her. The Cult of Kali regarded her survival as a miracle. When Nekra declared herself the living incarnation of the goddess, Kali, the high priestesses rebelled. Nekra had them all sacrificed to Kali. Nekra moved the Cult of Kali to Los Angeles. There, she murdered the real Adrienne Hatros, and stole her identity.

In Drew, Nekra has finally found a way to suppress the Mandrill's pheromonal control over women. Thus immunized, Nekra plans to exact her revenge on the Mandrill, for abandoning her to S.H.I.E.L.D. To test the drug's effectiveness, Nekra, who had been drawn to Drew, begins choking her. Drew breaks Nekra's death grip, then races up the stairs, to change into her costume. Drew confronts Nekra, as the Spider-Woman. Nekra shrugs off the Spider-Woman's most powerful bio-venom burst. An epic battle ensues between the Spider-Woman and Nekra. No quarter is given. None is asked. It becomes quickly apparent, to the Spider-Woman, that this fight is to the death.

The brutal combat goes on for an interminable span of time. Ultimately, the drug wears off, dulling Nekra's hatred, thus diminishing her strength, and invulnerability. The Spider-Woman slams Nekra's head, again and again, into the floor, until Nekra, finally, stops moving. The Spider-Woman contacts the authorities, then resumes her civilian identity. After a brief hospital stay, Jessica Drew returns home. Hunt calls on Drew, to tell her he is being transferred to a S.H.I.E.L.D facility in London. Hunt asks Drew to come with him, but Drew declines. Hunt decides that it's best that they break-up. From her window, Drew watches Hunt get into a car with Brown. A single tear rolls down Drew's cheek, as Hunt drives away.

Spider-Woman (1978)

Publisher

Marvel

Volume Description

Spider-Woman Volume 1

After her debut in Marvel Spotlight issue 32, the mysterious and eerie Spider-Woman stars in her very own ongoing series. The first ongoing series of Spider-woman started in 1978 and lasted until 1983 with a total of 50 issues.

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