Unspoken Issues #169 - Divine Right #1/2 and Spider-Girl #1/2

In this episode of the Unspoken Issues Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong dive into a unique corner of 90s comic culture: Wizard Magazine’s infamous “½ issues.” After a fan poll ended in a dead heat, the hosts break down two standout examples—Divine Right #½ and Spider-Girl #½—offering a fascinating look at how publishers used these promotional comics to hook readers during the peak of the speculator era.The discussion kicks off with Divine Right, Jim Lee’s ambitious late-90s Image project that blended fantasy, technology, and early internet culture. What makes this half issue especially interesting is its origin: a fan-written story selected through a Wizard contest and brought to life by Lee himself. Jesse and Chris explore how the issue serves more as a stylish introduction than a substantive chapter, showcasing Lee’s iconic art while offering just enough story to tease the larger world of Max Faraday. It’s a perfect snapshot of Image Comics at the time—big visuals, bold ideas, and a heavy emphasis on presentation.From there, the episode shifts to Spider-Girl #½, a very different kind of comic rooted in Marvel’s MC2 universe. Unlike the flash of Divine Right, Spider-Girl delivers a more traditional, character-driven story that channels the spirit of Silver Age storytelling. The hosts discuss Mayday Parker’s role as the next-generation Spider-hero, the alternate future setting, and the passionate fanbase that helped the series thrive far longer than expected. Along the way, they touch on the broader appeal of legacy characters, the balance between nostalgia and innovation, and why this title still resonates with readers today.