Black Widow #7

The Good

This is an absolutely perfect jumping-on issue. There’s little reference to what happened in the previous six issues and we open on a flashback that I’m not sure is canonical, but definitely fits within the narrative of the story on Black Widow doing some wetwork in San Francisco in that nebulous time known only as “Years Ago” and having a run-in with Daredevil, who was operating out of the City at the time. We pick up in the present with Widow arriving back in San Francisco. Now that Murdock’s back in town, his appearance again was only a matter of time, but he actually plays a very minor role, all told. We get to see Natasha’s daily preparation on a more mundane level than we usually get. The world’s most together Russian spy has her rituals but she’s usually portrayed as ultra-glamorous, so seeing her go through motions like brushing her teeth humanizes her to an almost shocking degree. This is, indeed, her life outside of the Avengers. Nathan Edmonson is doing so much in an incredibly short amount of time to develop what was already a strong character into the kind they make entire franchises out of.

Phil Noto’s art continues to be absolutely gorgeous, and the fact that he handles it from top to bottom is nothing short of incredible. He uses color expertly to instantly set a tone and mood in every single panel: the night time opening is grim, dark and dreary while the daytime is almost blindingly bright and overwhelming, mimicking the covert operative’s discomfort on being in the open. There’s so much more to the art than simply communicating what exactly is happening on the surface, there are layers upon layers and it makes rereads a treat.

The Bad

Daredevil’s presence in this issue is extremely secondary, and while he may play into the storyline later, he just seems to be here for the sake of being here. This issue feels like both the beginning and end of a storyline because there are a TON of loose ends introduced, but the issue’s end has an odd sense of finality.

The Verdict

Whether it’s a standalone one-shot, or the beginning of something new, it’s worth checking out. Black Widow has never been better than this and the writing and visuals compliment and work off of each other so amazingly well, that I’m having a hard time envisioning her being done better than this in the future. There’re very few superheroics to be found here, and the few there are don’t contradict the tone, but don’t let that dissuade you: this is one of the most interesting, ongoing books being put out by ANY publisher.

havent read this issue yet but this book continues to deliver every month.. good review

it was great

Agreed.

This book is just soooo good.

This tale could absolutely work as a one shot. But I'm seeing a lot of foreshadowing. Natasha is starting to lose herself to the job, I expect trouble to come looking for Isaiah and I wouldn't be surprised to see this cyberterrorist cell pop up again. Really looking forward to the next issue.

Those few panels with Daredevil are better than anything Waid has done since he started writing the character.

QFT!!!!

This issue was fantastic. This is one of my favorite series right now

Havent checked this out yet but the good CV reviews plus my new found appreciation for Nathan Edmonson and his Punisher series definitely makes me want to.

HA!

Really liked the book as well

I would commit crimes if we could AT LEAST get DD drawn/colored like that on a regular basis

That's the dream

Am I the only one who was bugged by how Natasha was able to go from underwater to the top of a building seemingly in a matter of seconds to get the drop on the sniper?

This had one shot written all over it. Good issue but can we get back to story arcs?

I keep thinking the quality of writing will have to give at some point with this title and I feel such relief when I am proven wrong with each new book. This job wasn't as interesting as Natasha's previous ones but getting to see her showcase her physical abilities and skill is always a plus. And Noto is Noto. Every page deserves to be framed and mounted.

I lingered over those panels with him, just because I had my Matt back. If only for a little while.

@hislolita: Yea it was bitter sweet

I like you,you should come join our Daredevil discussion in the Daredevil forums

@daredevil21134:

Haha, thanks.

seriously you should,i'd love your take and some of the things we talk about

i'm liking this book so far and i absolutely loved those final 2 pages with Nat in Costa Rica! Great to see actual places i walk by every day in comics! Thanks Noto.