2020 is the year of Black Widow, with a complete collection, movie, trade paperback, and new run on the way. All these works have a lot of hype behind them, and rightfully so. Fans have wanted a Black Widow movie since her debut in Iron Man 2. Her new series – arriving in April – has one of Marvel’s best writers, Kelly Thompson, behind it. Meanwhile the Black Widow Complete Collection, which was headed by the stellar team of Mark Waid, Chris Samnee, and Matthew Wilson, is finally here. This run in particular is a stand out and offers a glimpse into what the film has in store.
Marvel’s Best Femme Fatale
Samnee’s art pulls from noir films, playing with heavy shadows to give an ominous and dreadful tone to the comic. Matthew Wilson’s color scheme also makes the comic more dynamic with bloody reds contrasted against cold blues. This use of color reminds audiences of the danger, action, and sorrow that come with this line of work.
The art sets the mood for Marvel’s leading femme fatale; however, it’s Waid’s writing that shows off how manipulative, clever, and deadly the Black Widow can be. This creative team understands what makes Natasha the best spy in Marvel, showing off her physical and mental strength as she goes against the monsters of her past and present.
Kill Them With Kindness
While this is a great spy thriller with plenty of violence, the true testament of this book is Natasha’s empathy. Black Widow is one of the deadliest women in Marvel; however, it’s her kindness that is her biggest strength. Her goal is to liberate the newest generation of child spies from the Black Room – a reinvented version of the Red Room. The comic’s overarching theme is about breaking the cycle of abuse. To do so, Black Widow must rely on her heart more than her brawn.
The comic also shows a softer side to Natasha. While she can be cold, especially during her time in the Red Room, this comic shows the loving side of Natasha. With her former mentor, Iosef, readers see a snarky Natasha who wishes she could make amends with him. Meanwhile, with Bucky Barnes – aka the Winter Soldier – Natasha shows she has a romantic bone in her body, is playful, and is not about to let those she cares about get hurt on her watch.
The Future is Bright for Black Widow
It’s unclear if the film pulls from this run; however, it’s clear the movie features Natasha bringing an end to the Red Room’s legacy, similar to this comic. The trailer also features Black Widow reuniting with her red room family, something also key in this run. If the film pulls at all from this story, my hopes for the movie are even higher, especially when Natasha has become one of the most empathetic characters in the MCU.
Be the first to comment