Marvel; $3.99

Marvel’s Edge of Spider-Verse series has given readers some absolute treats when it comes to showing off crazy alternate universe versions of the web-slinger, and #5 might be the best one yet. This issue is distinctly Japanese-flavored, with a mechanized Spider-suit called “SP//dr” piloted by a young girl by the name of Peni Parker.

The suit clearly borrows design elements from Neon Genesis Evangelion, but that’s not the only anime reference – characters from Ghost in the Shell and Akira are seen clearly in the background during a specific fight scene, so it’s clear artist Jake Wyatt wanted a distinct manga flavor for this issue. The writing by Gerard Way (of My Chemical Romance fame, though he also wrote the Eisner Award-winning The Umbrella Academy) is fantastic and fits right in line with the other craziness going on with Spider-Man right now.

Edge of Spider-Verse as a series has been incredible so far, and issue #5 manages to stand out from that impressive pack. As evidenced by this issue’s ending, it’s clear that the various Spideys are about to be brought together in a big way.