With the blood of so many innocents on her hands, the spy and Avenger known as Black Widow sets out on her own to atone for her sins. She's determined to make amends for her checkered past, but a shadowy new organization promises to complicate that journey.
Black Widow: The Finely Woven Thread collects Black Widow #1-6, written by Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto.
Black Widow is a sophisticated and slow-burning title, with shades of noir. It also shares the same tone as Ian Fleming's iconic Cold War-era James Bond novels. Its protagonist is a stoic heroine who attempts to remain detached from the world around her. Even still, she is far from being the frigid Russian princess many have depicted her to be in the past. Edmondson gives the reader glimpses of her compassion, which makes her sympathetic and far more complex than how she is usually portrayed. Black Widow is also often plagued by a tendency to presented as a flawless super spy. Here, she makes mistakes and is able to admit when she is out of her depth. It's incredibly refreshing and adds a sense of realism to the title.
Beyond his impeccable character work, Edmondson establishes the perfect cast and tone for the book. Rather than clutter his first six issues with guest stars galore, he keeps it simple with Maria Hill and Natalia's lawyer Isaiah acting as her supporting cast. The former connects the title to the Marvel Universe while the latter answers the question of how Natalia manages her finances.
When it comes to the tone, Black Widow is incredibly stylish and is boosted by a simmering noir aesthetic. For fans of Marvel's film or younger readers, this book may be a bit of a shock. It's dark and gritty as it deals with complex moral issues. Black Widow isn't your average superhero. She will kill when necessary and maintains an ambiguous moral code. It works well for the character and helps to differentiate her from her fellow Avengers.
The art in Black Widow is near perfection. Phil Noto's painted style suits the tone of the book to a tee and contributes to the overall aesthetic Edmondson has set forth with his writing. His characters are beautiful, but not in an exploitative way. He doesn't exaggerate proportions and doesn't dress the titular heroine in skimpy clothing. This adds a sense of class and elegance to the title. Sadly, his sketchy style does seem rushed and unfinished in some panels. Thankfully, these panels are few and far between.
Black Widow: A Finely Woven Thread is one of the most interesting books Marvel has released in quite some time. It's stylish and elegant, with just the right combination of character development and action. Beyond that, it's also one of the most accessible comics in Marvel's wheelhouse. Unlike most other titles, it does not depend on the reader's knowledge of years upon years of continuity. It also eschews the trend of comics being written with the intention of the stories being published as trade paperbacks. Edmondson writes both concise and compelling one issue stories and multiple issue arcs. For these reasons, Black Widow stands strong as a refreshing and innovative comic book worth reading.
Rating: A-
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