REVIEW: ‘Black Widow,’ Issue #9

Black Widow #9 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Kelly Thompson, with art by Elena Casagrande and Rafael de Latorre, inks by Elisabetta D’amico, and Rafael de Latorre, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and letters by Cory Petit. Finding herself surrounded, and with Yelena flatlining, Natasha must act quickly if the situation is to be salvaged. And even if the group can escape, will they be able to find a way to stop Apogee’s schemes? Coming off the book’s recent Eisner win for Best New Series, Thompson and company are not resting on their laurels as Black Widow #9 brings more of the quality that garnered them their recent awards win.

Picking up right where the last issue left off, Thompson manages to open up this book with a one-two punch of creative storytelling and heartstring-pulling emotions. Natasha’s motivational moment as the situation slips out of her control is both beautiful and tearful. Thompson continues to breathe so much humanity into the usually reserved spymaster.

Once the immediate crisis is resolved, the team meets back up to consider their next course of action. Throughout this sequence, Thomspon provides some wonderful banter that helps alleviate the tension from the book’s opening. Anyone who enjoyed Natasha and Yelena’s verbal back and forth from the movie should find this just as fun.

Once there is a plan in place, Black Widow #9 sees the pieces fall come together for what feels like a showdown with the mysterious Apogee. And even though the fists start flying, Thompson makes sure the wit hits just as hard. Turns out some spiders hold grudges!

With the story in Black Widow #9 hitting all the high points the series has become known for, it wouldn’t do for the art to fall behind. Happily, the dual linework of Casagrande and de Latorre manage to keep pace with the narrative wonderfully. The action is hard-hitting and intense. The comedic moments are not overdone but rather accompanied by the deadpan presentation I see the Widows utilizing. The emotional moments put the viewer so close to the scene that you feel the pain in the panels.

And while the entire issue’s lines deserve their praise, I want to make a special shout-out to the continued brilliance of Natasha and company’s casual designs. Perfectly blending form and function, Natasha always looks practical and eye-catching in whatever outfit she dons.

The colors from Bellaire work great throughout Black Widow #9 to make the important aspects of the panels stand out and pop. This is especially true of one of this month’s big double-page action panels. While the lines set up a great moment, Bellaire’s colors make the big panel truly pop off the page with beautiful colors.

Also noticeable with the colorwork is how some of the objects and light interplay. This is particularly noticeable in Natasha’s trademark uniform. There is a more diffused look to how the light is reflected off the suit’s surface. It’s subtle but attention-grabbing.

Rounding out our look at Black Widow #9 is Petit’s letters. Petit arranges the dialogue well in this issue and accompanies the action with some great sound effects that are both well placed and well designed.

So, when all brought together, Black Widow #9 delivers another great performance from this award-winning team. It delivers everything I have come to expect and sets up the next issue for big things of its own.

Black Widow #9 is available now wherever comics are sold.