# Screwball (character)

Screwball is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Dan Slott and artist Marcos Martín, the character first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #559. Screwball is described as the world's first "live streaming super-villain" and commits crimes to get more hits on her web page. She is a recurring antagonist of the superhero Spider-Man.

## Publication history

Screwball debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #559, and was created by writer Dan Slott and artist Marcos Martín. She appeared in the 2021 Marvel Action: Spider-Man series.

## Fictional character biography

Not much is known about Screwball's past. She is an Internet personality who seeks attention, to the point that she commits infractions to gain followers and fame. Screwball commits crimes while a film crew filmed her so that she can get more hits on her videos by having Spider-Man appear on it. She first encounters Spider-Man while he is tracing the "Spider-Tracer Killer".
Screwball later poses as Spider-Man to help Bookie, with the two filming Spider-Man fighting the villain Basher. The fight is uploaded on YouTube and watched by the patrons of the "Bar with No Name". The Enforcers recognize what is happening and attack Bookie, only for him to be rescued when the real Spider-Man showed up.
When Spider-Man and Daredevil arrive at the Bar With No Name, Screwball is among the patrons that attack them.
Because of Spider-Man's humiliating fight with Screwball, Ben Reilly refuses to buy Peter Parker's photos.
During the "Origin of the Species" storyline, Spider-Man apprehends Screwball and Looter in Midtown after Doctor Octopus kidnaps Lily Hollister's newborn child Stanley.
Spider-Girl later chases Screwball and confiscates her camera before handing her over to the police.
Screwball later collaborates with Jester in pranking Mayor J. Jonah Jameson before being defeated by the Superior Spider-Man. Screwball later appears in Las Vegas where she collaborates with Arcade. She later fights Elektra under Arcade's orders, but is defeated.
During the "Hunted" storyline, Screwball appears as a patron at the Pop-Up with No Name.
In the "Gang War" storyline, Screwball uses drones to pull off a pique to gain more followers. They combine into a giant robot and battle Spider-Woman and Spider-Boy before being defeated.

## Powers and abilities

Screwball is an expert gymnast. She relies on her skills to evade Spider-Man.

## Reception
### Critical response

Joshua Kristian McCoy of Game Rant included Screwball in their "5 Spider-Man Villains Who Actually Could Carry A Solo Project" list, calling her "perfect" for a "meta-comedy film about making movies or social media." Screen Rant included Screwball in their "Spider-Man: 10 Best Female Villains" list, and in their "10 Spider-Man Villains That Are Smarter Than They Seem" list. Comic Book Resources ranked Screwball 10th in their "Spider-Man's 10 Funniest Villains" list.

## In other media

* An original incarnation of Screwball, Liz Allan, appears in the Spider-Man (2017) episode "Screwball Live!", voiced by Natalie Lander.
* Screwball appears in Spider-Man (2018), voiced by Stephanie Lemelin.
* In 2017, Diamond Select Toys released a Screwball action figure inspired by Liz Allan's incarnation of the character.