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Black Widow #2 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Kelly Thompson, art by Elena Casagrande, with colors by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Cory Petit. With Clint Barton having discovered Natasha apparently living a quiet suburban lifestyle, he and Bucky Barnes decide to check it out. Unbeknownst to them, Arcade is watching them from the shadows. But for who?
When the last issue ended with the reveal of Arcade as one of this story’s villains I was thrilled. The character has the zany sort of gimmick you usually have to get to Batman’s rogues gallery to find. Furthermore, he is the sort of eccentric personality Thompson does a fantastic job writing. And even though he’s only in this issue briefly, he shines at that moment, leaving me dying for when he gets to spring his latest Murderworld style trap.
Black Widow #2 opens with Bucky and Clint doing surveillance on Natasha’s current home. Things look happy and peaceful, but what could really be going on? Has she really ditched the superhero gig for quiet family life? With the superhero world being what it is, the possible explanations are endless. Mind control? Interdimensional time-traveling doppelgänger? The list goes on. Only one thing is for certain, Natasha looks genuinely happy.
This opening for Black Widow #2 starts the book off with what is it’s the strongest aspect, Thompson’s great character writing. As they watch Natasha’s home, Clint and Bucky banter in classic Thompson style. The ability to keep the wit present throughout the book makes it so even potentially duller moments become entertaining.
Even after Clint makes direct contact with Nat there doesn’t seem to be an acknowledgment of them. This leads the duo to come to suspect something truly is amiss but also leaves them in a bit of a quandary. If Natasha is really happy, should they take that from her? Even as they wonder how to proceed Natasha herself is beginning to realize something might not be right.
The art in Black Widow #2 does a fantastic job of taking the classic superhero art style and meeting it halfway with a spy movie feel. Some of the POVs chosen for the panels just scream spy movie. Like showing characters talking through the reflection of a motorcycle mirror. These stylized shots, along with Bellaire’s choice of a more muted color palette combine to establish a strong visual motif. It just has that spy movie style. One of those, “I know it when I see it” sort of things. And as a bonus, sharp-eyed readers may notice a plushie of everyone’s favorite land shark in a panel here.
Lastly, Petit delivers a strong performance on letters. Delivering a clear and easy to follow presentation for the story.
When all is said and done Black Widow #2 continues to build on the excellent start that it’s predecessor provided. The pieces are beginning to fall into place. I just hope Thompson and the company can continue the excellent work they have shown thus far.
Black Widow #2 is available on October 7th wherever comics are sold.
‘Black Widow,’ Issue #2
TL;DR
When all is said and done Black Widow #2 continues to build on the excellent start that it’s predecessor provided. The pieces are beginning to fall into place. I just hope Thompson and the company can continue the excellent work they have shown thus far.
Lifelong geek who enjoys comics, video games, movies, reading and board games . Over the past year I’ve taken a more active interest in artistic pursuits including digital painting, and now writing.
I look forward to growing as a writer and bettering my craft in my time here!