Sinner’s Moon

While on a family trip to New Orleans, Mattie Franklin has investigated reports of a werewolf that has been on the prowl in the area. This had brought her to the Saint Agnes Convent where she discovered that one of the nuns is the werewolf. As Spider-Woman fights for her life, J. Jonah Jameson arrives at the local police station to recover his wife Marla and Mattie’s friend Cheryl Lansing, who were arrested for trespassing on the convent property after dark. After Jonah pays the fines, Marla and Cheryl tell him that they were arrested while trying to look for Mattie in a section of the convent that was chained off to visitors. Marla then tells him that Mattie had somehow broken the locks herself.

Back at the convent, one of the nuns reports to Mother Superior to tell her that Sister Ursula had escaped from her cell in the basement. However, Mother Superior already knows this as she has been watching Spider-Woman fight with the werewolf in the cemetery from the window in her office. Their efforts to keep Ursula contained have failed prompting Mother Superior to consider a more direct approach and fetches her rifle. While outside, Spider-Woman has managed to get away from the werewolf for a moment when she spots Jameson’s limo pull up to the cemetery gates. Fearing that they might discover she is secretly Spider-Woman, Mattie changes out of her costume.[1] In order to cover up her costume, she puts on Sister Ursula’s nun’s robes so she can confront the others and get them to flee.[2] That’s when the werewolf comes out of its hiding place prompting everyone to flee. Unfortunately, Cheryl is too slow and is snatched by the werewolf.

Seeing the creature take off with her friend, Mattie leaves Jonah and Marla to follow after her. That’s when she is grabbed by Mother Superior and her assistant. Seeing that the elderly nun is carrying a rifle she asks if they are prepared to face a werewolf. Mother Superior explains that her rifle is armed with a silver-bullet that was made from a melted cross. Mattie is impressed but admits to them that she doesn’t really believe in the religious aspects of werewolf lore. The young girl’s lack of faith disappoints Mother Superior but before they can debate the validity of the Christian faith (seriously?) Jonah and Marla catch up with them prompting Mattie to take off on her own again.

By this point, the werewolf has Cheryl cornered and is looming over her when it notices that she is wearing a necklace. Ripping the girl’s shirt to shreds the werewolf pauses when it notices that the crucifix. That’s when the police arrive and begin opening fire on the werewolf causing it to attack. That’s when Spider-Woman arrives and puls Cheryl to safety. As Spider-Woman battles the werewolf, Mother Superior takes aim with her rifle but can’t bring herself to pull the trigger. She reveals that Sister Ursula is actually her daughter and that the sin of being an unwed mother prompted her to become a nun in the first place. Now she can’t bring herself to kill her own daughter. Although she falters, Jonah takes the shotgun, willing to take responsibility as he can relate with her situation. When the werewolf is shot it falls to the ground and reverts back to its human form. As she dies, Sister Ursula thanks Jonah for ending her torment. By this point, Mattie has slipped away to change out of her Spider-Woman costume and tells Jonah that he did a good thing.

The following day, Mattie, the Jamesons and Cheryl are all flying back to New York City, Mattie and Cheryl are talking about their experiences in New Orleans. That’s when Cheryl reveals that the werewolf scratched her when trying to look at her crucifix, complaining that the wound is itchy. While back in New York, Skin continues to search for her sister as yet another host body is beginning to burn out. That’s when she is confronted by two identically dressed people calling themselves Miss Itch and Mister Scratch.[3]

Recurring Characters

Spider-Woman, J. Jonah Jameson, Marla Madison, Cheryl Lansing, Flesh, Miss Itch, Mister Scratch

Continuity Notes

1. Mattie mentions how Cheryl is already suspecting that she is Spider-Woman, Cheryl witness Mattie use her powers to deal with some bullies at school in Spider-Woman (vol. 3) #5.

2. J. Jonah Jameson states here that he has had experiences with werewolves in the past. He is referring to his son John Jameson who has been transformed into the Man-Wolf on a number of occasions, the first time being Amazing Spider-Man #124.

3. Flesh has been looking for her sister, Bone, ever since their bond was severed in Spider-Woman (vol. 3) #4. Although Bones seemingly perished, she will resurface in Spider-Woman (vol. 3) #16.