Black Widow #2: “Shanghaied”
creators: Nathan Edmondson & Phil Noto
release date: January 2014
publisher: Marvel
In this second issue of Black Widow, Natasha travels to Shanghai to pick up a new side job–to save a man’s son (whom she seems to know, but that’s never explained). This seemingly simple mission quickly becomes more deadly than BW thought – particularly since it connects to one of her past hits.
This issue is just as episodic as the last issue, but nicely builds on some things, particularly Natasha’s plain-faced lawyer, Isaiah–not only their relationship but also the lengths he will go to protect her. I wonder if Edmondson and Noto are going to try to develop a kind of Alfred/Batman dynamic between the two, but at the moment things seem rather formal between them. Perhaps we will soon get a better glimpse into their relationship.
To be honest, the story seems rather bland–from starting in medias res, to the “surprise” twist as the villain reveals himself, to the final fight and getaway. While it was a nice fast pace that kept me turning the pages, I kept hoping to find out something new about Natasha–the fact that she has past regrets is not new, as this seems to be the point of these side missions–to wipe her slate as clean as possible.
That being said, the art is stunning – Phil Noto’s light, sketchy style really breathes life and atmosphere into the story, and it nicely accentuates the movement and gives the action an exciting flair; the coloring is also gorgeous, with lovely brush tones that go cold during the submarine and water scenes, and warm and bright as Natasha is pursued through Shanghai. It changes quite jarringly–but in a good way–when we focus on Isaiah at the end, too. Sometimes, admittedly, it feels that the art has too much flow, particularly during the harsh moments when people are shot and killed. But overall, several pages almost looked like storyboards in their execution, particularly in scenes with only one word per panel.
Also, it must be said that BW never looks overly sexualized, and shockingly, she has a fit and athletic figure that make sense–this should be an absolute nonissue, but if you’ve seen any of the movies you know that most audiences are familiar with her full leather getups or captured-ripped-dress ensembles. Thankfully Natasha’s in a full length one piece that is fitting but functional — and zipped all the way up (*cough Catwoman cough*).
As I mentioned before, Natasha’s past remains just as mysterious in this last issue – I would love to actually get some background. When the villain Iron Scorpion lists all her names (“the Widow, the Russian Avenger, the Slavic Shadow, the Red Death,” etc), it felt rather corny and overdone–can we see what proves she is so? Assuming that this is, for all intents and purposes, an opportunity for new fans to read BW comics for the first time? Let’s actually see her past, and maybe even what kind of person she is on a real day off–that’s what makes Hawkeye’s ongoing so great.
———-spoiler——- One more thing: how in crap’s name does a guy get hit by A TRUCK and be able to get up and run away?! There’s within the realm of probability and then there’s just impossible Saturday morning cartoon getaway. Guess which one this was.———-end spoiler——-
“Shanghaied”‘s story doesn’t feel overly original or gripping, but I’m really just enjoying Noto’s art. will hang on for a few more issues, would love an underlying thread or some real development of Natasha’s character.
Reading Art 