Review: Black Widow #14

Kelly Thompson writes the perfect Black Widow and this issue shows exactly why. This issue is full of great character moments, clear and crisp action and a fantastic cliffhanger guaranteed to bring readers back. Her work here is complimented perfectly by dynamic, clear, action-packed art from Elena Casagrade and Elisabetta D’Amico. The star of the creative show here is Jordie Bellaire as color artist, with just the exact right variations to set mood and highlight action.

This issue is set as the face off between Natasha and The Living Blade. Along for the ride is Yelena Belova, Winter Soldier and the currently captured Anya Corazon, Lucy Nguyen, Hawkeye and power sharing twin socialites. The best part of this issue beyond sharp action is the complete trust Natasha has for her sister. Knowing Yelena will do her part allows Natasha to function fully.

Yelena tells Bucky who Natasha is facing and we can see the full extent of the threat by his reaction. The Living Blade’s employers has captured a mass off super powered people but decide to cover their tracks by destroying everything. Natasha moves through the ventilation system gathering intel. Yelena and Bucky clear out the partying civilians.

Anya and Lucy convince the twins to transfer their shared power to one twin. This allows them to break free but leaves the other twin near death. Natasha works to free the other powered prisoners and then faces the Living Blade head on. The battle ends with a shocking cliffhanger as the Living Blade chops off Natasha’s arm!

The hope is that one of the other powered prisoners will be able to help heal Natasha fast, but this entire sequence definitely ups the stakes of this fight. Thompson knows exactly how to execute great action and has all of these character voices and moments play together exactly right. The art shines with variations in style from scene to scene, finally exploding with pure action at the end.

This is a fantastic creative team exactly right for this character working together like an orchestra. Black Widow is in the best possible hands with this excellent book.

Writing: 4.6 of 5 stars
Art: 4.3 of 5 stars
Colors: 5.0 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.6 of 5 stars

Writer: Kelly Thompson
Art: Elena Casagrande
nks: Elisabetta D’Amico
Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.