Madame Web is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Denny O'Neil and artist John Romita Jr., she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #210, published in November 1980. The character is depicted as an elderly blind woman with a chronic neuromuscular condition that connects her to a life-support system resembling a spider's web. Despite her physical limitations, she possesses powerful psychic abilities including clairvoyance, precognition, and telepathy, which she uses to assist Spider-Man and other heroes.
In the comics, the original Madame Web is Cassandra Webb, a mutant who was born blind but developed extrasensory powers that more than compensate for her lack of sight. She is often portrayed as a mysterious, all-knowing figure who operates from the shadows, guiding heroes toward their destinies while rarely intervening directly in conflicts. Her connection to the mystical 'Web of Life and Destiny' makes her a crucial figure in the Spider-Man mythos, as she can perceive events across multiple dimensions and timelines.
Over the decades, Madame Web has appeared in numerous Spider-Man storylines, most notably the iconic 'Kraven's Last Hunt' arc and various multiverse-spanning events. The mantle of Madame Web was later passed to Julia Carpenter, the second Spider-Woman, after the original Cassandra Webb was killed and subsequently resurrected. The character's unique blend of physical vulnerability and immense psychic power has made her a distinctive and enduring presence in the Marvel Universe.