Spider Widow
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{{Superherobox <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image = [[Image:Spider Widow 1.jpg|200px]]
| caption = From the front page of a Spider Widow story in ''Feature Comics'' #60
| character_name =Spider Widow
| publisher = [[Quality Comics]]
| debut = ''Feature Comics'' #57
| creators = [[Frank Borth]]
| alter_ego = Dianne Grayton
| full_name =
| species = <!-- optional -->
| homeworld = <!-- optional -->
| alliances = <!-- optional -->
| partners = <!-- optional -->
| aliases = <!-- optional -->
| supports=<!--optional-->
| powers = Can control [[black widow spider]]s
}}
'''Spider Widow''' is a fictional [[superhero]] character that was published by [[Quality Comics]] during the [[Golden Age of Comic Books]]. The character was created by [[Frank Borth]] and debuted in ''[[Feature Comics]]'' #57, which bore a cover date of June, 1942. Borth continued to write and draw the Spider Widow feature until the end of its run in ''Feature Comics'' #72 (June, 1943).
==Publication history==
Spider Widow is the secret identity of Dianne Grayton, a bored and wealthy athlete who decides to fight crime and foreign saboteurs after discovering she has the ability to control deadly [[black widow spider]]s. She disguises herself in a costume very similar to a stereotypical [[Hallowe'en]] witch, wearing a green-faced old crone mask, a floppy black hat, and a long black dress.
In ''Feature Comics'' #60, [[Nazism|Nazi]] agents set a trap for Spider Widow by posting an advertisement in the newspaper that requests her assistance, and then knock her out when she shows up. She is rescued from a boat bound for Germany by the bird-costumed Raven on his first heroic outing, and the two reveal a hidden [[U-boat]] to the [[U.S. Navy]]. She becomes romantically involved with the Raven (who is later revealed to be Tony Grey); however, neither initially knows what the other looks like without their mask on because they shared their first kiss in the dark. The two later team up with [[Phantom Lady]] in a multi-part [[fictional crossover|crossover]] that spanned between ''Feature Comics'' #69-71 and ''[[Police Comics]]'' #20-22. Though Spider Widow initially worries that Phantom Lady is a potential rival for the Raven's affections, they nevertheless became allies.
==Current status==
[[DC Comics]] is believed to have acquired the [[copyright]] to Spider Widow when it purchased [[Quality Comics]]' holdings, though that claim may be in doubt because most Quality properties lapsed into public domain prior to the purchase. To date, DC Comics has yet to use the character.
==Powers and abilities==
Spider Widow has the ability to psychically control black widow spiders; the reason for her gaining this power is never explained. Spider Widow is also a trained athlete.
== External links ==
* [http://goodcomics.blogspot.com/2005/11/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-23.html Comic Book Urban Legends - Status of Quality Comics characters]
*[http://pfeonline.tripod.com/20three1.html ''Feature Comics #60'' - Spider Widow reprint]
*[http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/spidwido.htm Spider Widow Profile]
*[http://www.toonopedia.com/spidrwid.htm Spider Widow article in Don Markstein's Toonopedia]
[[Category:Golden Age superheroes]]
[[Category:Public domain characters]]
[[Category:Quality Comics superheroes]]