Yuriko Watanabe (Earth-616)
Yuriko Watanabe was deeply inspired by her family's law enforcement legacy, particularly by her grandfather, Kenneth Watanabe, who was honored with the NYPD Medal of Honor. Her father, John, also served as a police officer but faced disgrace after being convicted of accepting bribes during Yuriko's military service. Despite this, Yuriko pursued a career in law enforcement, eventually rising to the rank of NYPD captain. In this role, she became an ally of Spider-Man, investigating significant criminal activities, including a gang war involving the Maggia and Mister Negative, and the emergence of a new Hobgoblin.
Becoming Wraith: Later, Yuriko adopted the identity of Wraith, utilizing equipment from Mysterio and other villains to disguise herself as the ghost of Jean DeWolff, further concealing her identity with a Chameleon mask. As Wraith, she began a crusade against crime, using fear and intimidation. Her activities caught the attention of Carlie Cooper, a fellow officer, who uncovered Yuriko’s secret identity. After assisting Spider-Man and Anti-Venom in defeating Mister Negative, Carlie convinced Yuriko to step back from her vigilante activities temporarily.
Superior Spider-Man Era: Yuriko later resumed her role as Wraith, working with Carlie Cooper to investigate the true identity of the Superior Spider-Man. Their investigation led them to a critical discovery about the secret bank accounts of Otto Octavius, which played a key role in unraveling the mystery of the Superior Spider-Man. Yuriko's efforts also led her to confront Otto during the Goblin Nation attack, although she was temporarily incapacitated.
Spiral: In the Spiral storyline, Yuriko’s life took a darker turn. After the death of her mentor, Teddy Rangel, during a confrontation with Tombstone, Yuriko became increasingly disillusioned with the justice system. As Wraith, she began to operate outside the law, driven by a desire for vengeance against criminals and corrupt officials like Judge Howell, who had ties to Tombstone. Despite Spider-Man’s attempts to guide her back to lawful methods, Yuriko grew more ruthless.
Final Confrontation: Her actions eventually led to a direct confrontation with Mr. Negative, who exploited her vigilante persona to his advantage. In a final showdown during a gang war, Yuriko, as Wraith, was determined to kill Mr. Negative. However, Spider-Man intervened, trying to stop her from crossing the line into outright murder. After defeating Mr. Negative, Spider-Man found that Yuriko had escaped, leaving behind her Wraith costume, signaling her complete abandonment of her former life as a police officer.
Yuriko’s journey as Wraith reflects a tragic descent from a respected law enforcement officer to a vigilante consumed by the desire for justice at any cost.
| Issue | Title | Release Date | Wraith Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 600 | "Last Legs" | 2009-07-22 | Captain Watanabe (First appearance) |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 618 | "Mysterioso - Part 1: Un-Murder Incorporated" | 2010-01-20 | Captain Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 619 | "Mysterioso - Part 2: Re-Appearing Act" | 2010-01-27 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 620 | "Mysterioso - Part 3: Smoke & Mirrors" | 2010-02-10 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 621 | "Out for Blood" | 2010-02-17 | Yuriko Watanabe |
| Many Loves of the Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 1 | "The Root of All Annoyance" | 2010-05-05 | Officer Yuriko Watanabe (Only in flashback) |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 650 | "1st Story" | 2010-12-15 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 651 | "1st Story" | 2011-01-12 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 655 | "No One Dies, Part One of Two: Awakening" | 2011-02-23 | Yuriko Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 656 | "No One Dies, Part Two: Resolve" | 2011-03-16 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 658 | "Peter Parker: The Fantastic Spider-Man" | 2011-04-13 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 664 | "The Return of Anti-Venom, Part Two: Revelation Day" | 2011-06-29 | Wraith (Captain Yuriko Watanabe) (Main story and flashback) |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 10 | "Independence Day" | 2013-05-22 | Yuriko Watanabe |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 15 | "Run, Goblin, Run - Part 1: The Tinkerer's Apprentice" | 2013-08-07 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe (Return as Wraith) |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 16 | "Run, Goblin, Run: Part 2: Goblin Season" | 2013-08-21 | Wraith (Captain Yuriko Watanabe) |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 19 | "Necessary Evil - Part 3: Event Horizon" | 2013-10-16 | Wraith (Yuriko Watanabe) |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 20 | "Still Standing" | 2013-10-30 | Wraith (Yuriko Watanabe) |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 22 | "Darkest Hours Part One: Face To Face" | 2013-11-27 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 23 | "Darkest Hours Part Two: Complications" | 2013-12-04 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 24 | "Darkest Hours Part Three: Dark Embrace" | 2013-12-18 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 25 | "Darkest Hours Part Four: Before The Dawn" | 2014-01-15 | Captain Yuriko Watanabe |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 27.NOW | "Goblin Nation: Part 1" | 2014-02-12 | Captain Yuri Watanabe |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 28 | "Goblin Nation: The Fall of Spider-Island" | 2014-02-26 | Captain Yuri Watanabe |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 29 | "Goblin Nation: Legs Out From Under You" | 2014-05-07 | Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) |
| Superior Spider-Man Annual Vol 1 2 | "The Goblin War" | 2014-02-12 | Present |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 30 | "Goblin Nation: A Troubled Soul" | 2014-03-26 | Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) (Cameo) |
| Superior Spider-Man Vol 1 31 | "Goblin Nation (Part 5)" | 2014-04-16 | Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 16.1 | "Spiral: Part 1" | 2015-03-18 | Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 17.1 | "Spiral: Part 2" | 2015-04-22 | Wraith (Captain Yuri Watanabe) (Main story and flashback) |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 18.1 | "Spiral: Part 3" | 2015-06-03 | Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 19.1 | "Spiral: Part 4" | 2015-07-01 | Wraith (Captain Yuri Watanabe) (Main story and flashback) (Leaves NYPD) |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 20.1 | "Spiral: Conclusion" | 2015-08-12 | Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) |
| Gwen Stacy Vol 1 1 | "1st Story" | 2020-02-12 | Lieutenant Yuri Watanabe |
| Gwen Stacy Vol 1 2 | "1st Story" | 2020-03-11 | Lieutenant Yuri Watanabe |
| Giant-Size Gwen Stacy Vol 1 1 | "1st Story" | 2020-08-10 | Lieutenant Yuri Watanabe |
| Amazing Spider-Man Vol 6 31 | "5th Story" | 2023-08-09 | Wraith (Yuri Watanabe) |