REVIEW: ‘Black Cat’ Issue 1

Black Cat Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by G. Willow Wilson, art by Gleb Melkinov, colors by Brian Reber, and letters by Joe Caramagna.

Black Cat details just one night in her incredibly stressful life.

Black Cat Issue 1 has an intriguing start, one that raises suspicion. Wilson is fantastic at teasing the readers about what is to come. The story begins in Night Nurse’s clinic, a hospital for vigilantes and superheroes to get patched up in. That instantly suggests damage and danger. Then Black Cat Issue 1 flashes back in stages, again teasing what’s to come. That’s when the comic starts moving, kicking off the action. For a chatty girl known for luck, Felicia Hardy actually gets into some unlucky situations. The bouncing structure can be juddering, but it keeps you interested.

Black Cat Issue 1 also serves as a slight tie-in to the current Amazing Spider-Man series. It’s possible to read without understanding what’s happening, and Wilson provides some context. Still, Black Cat’s state of mind and general actions all seem to be a result of Spider-Man’s peculiar actions. So that context will be lost for those not reading Spider-Man. The energy in the issue is fantastic, and the fights are fascinating.

What makes them stop enthralling is the fact that Felicia is thrown into the deep end against compelling and dangerous villains. These are characters that Spider-Man tussles with, who have far more strength and a better healing factor than Black Cat. This means that the danger is much higher for the cat burglar.

Felicia doesn’t have many other characters to bounce off of in Black Cat Issue 1, so Wilson decides to have her speak to the reader. This represents a new direction for Black Cat, but it’s integral to the book’s identity. She speaks directly to us, explaining her thoughts in great detail. Even when there are other figures around, they are almost inconsequential as she talks about them to the reader. It allows for a rich, deep dive into Felicia’s personality and feelings.

Other writers often push her as confident, and it becomes clear how much that can be a front. With Spider-Man not answering her calls, she’s left with a feeling of glum isolation, which perhaps explains why she’s talking to herself. She can ramble in large venting sessions. This isn’t just exposition; it’s her feelings. She talks about what goes into creating the image of the Black Cat, and that is where the confidence remains. She knows how good she looks, but she also explains how hard it is to look that good. The dialogue is witty, chaotic at times, but deeply genuine and personable.

The art is fantastic and enthralling. Black Cat frequently undergoes redesigns to reflect how much of her the creators want to showcase. But in Black Cat Issue 1, it reveals the beauty and the roughness. She’s attractive, and her beauty is something she shows off; there is also the plunging neckline that was so prevalent early in her existence. However, it’s not overdone by Melkinov, and the overall outfit looks tremendous. It accentuates her commitment to style.

Her facial features are very big, especially her eyes, framed by her domino mask. The panels are also very close when she speaks, so her emotions are incredibly clear. The villains are also immense, made to look scary and imposing as they tower over the smaller woman. These fights can get rough and nasty, with Felicia often having to forgo being graceful to stay alive. And the scars that are left behind are nasty and severe, showing that her adventures aren’t all fun and games.

The colors are always adventurous in Black Cat Issue 1. Each page has inventive shades that give the comic a unique palette. The shades stay dark, as the majority of the book takes place in the evening and night. This helps craft the gloomy atmosphere that can be felt at times. When Black Cat gets really reflective, the lighting has a red tinge that calms the mood down after so much action and adrenaline. The lettering is clear and easy to read, with a superb usage of sound effects that help energise the movement even further.

Black Cat Issue 1 makes Felicia Hardy delightful company. It could be considered a companion piece to Amazing Spider-Man, but Felicia is absolutely and unequivocally the star. It delves incredibly deep into her personality, from what she shows on the outside to what she really feels on the inside. Every layer is revealed, and the burglar is shown to be much more than just obsessed with glitz and glamour. The fourth wall breaking was a surprise, but it adds such an intriguing element to the storytelling, and with her speaking directly to us, it’s impossible not to pay attention.

Black Cat Issue 1 is available now wherever comics are sold.