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kate_in_a_book's review
3.0
I’m always looking for good female characters and writers in the comics world, and I’m also intrigued by Black Widow. This collection includes a fairly detailed history of the character who has been around since 1964 but mostly appeared in other characters’ stories (I think in fact this is the first time she has had her own title since a brief run in the 1970s, spurred no doubt by the popularity of the current Marvel films).
In this story, Natasha (Black Widow) is viciously attacked and almost killed, but rather than rallying to her cause, her fellow Avengers are distrustful of her because the US government is accusing her of collecting highly secret information on the Avengers and the US. Which she was, as a form of insurance, and now that information has been stolen by her attacker. Can she persuade the Avengers to help her track down her assailant and prevent those secrets from getting out?
It’s a good storyline for exploring Natasha’s precarious position as ex-Soviet spy and as former lover of multiple Avengers (this is what happens when the male:female character ratio is so skewed) and it’s told perfectly well, but there is nothing outstanding here. The dialogue isn’t witty or moving and the art is a little sexualised in a manner I had hoped was considered old-fashioned now.
In this story, Natasha (Black Widow) is viciously attacked and almost killed, but rather than rallying to her cause, her fellow Avengers are distrustful of her because the US government is accusing her of collecting highly secret information on the Avengers and the US. Which she was, as a form of insurance, and now that information has been stolen by her attacker. Can she persuade the Avengers to help her track down her assailant and prevent those secrets from getting out?
It’s a good storyline for exploring Natasha’s precarious position as ex-Soviet spy and as former lover of multiple Avengers (this is what happens when the male:female character ratio is so skewed) and it’s told perfectly well, but there is nothing outstanding here. The dialogue isn’t witty or moving and the art is a little sexualised in a manner I had hoped was considered old-fashioned now.
welkinvault's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
unwise_samwise's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Miscarriage and Misogyny
hinkle's review
4.0
Didn't particularly like the art, which is the only reason I'm not giving this five stars. Sometimes it was pretty and other times is was deeply, deeply ugly. It does kind of throw you out of the reading experience when Bucky gets referred to as a 'handsome man' in a scene where he really, really isn't.
The writing however is A++ and will go out of my way to pick up Liu's stuff again.
The writing however is A++ and will go out of my way to pick up Liu's stuff again.
bluehairedlibrarian's review
4.0
Bonus start for reminding me how much I love Winter Widow and having Tiny Wolverine. Otherwise the base premise is a rehashing of a classic Batman trope, but with more girl fights and some Russians.
jilljemmett's review
4.0
Natasha Romanoff is a spy, with the alias Black Widow. She has many enemies who have targeted her over the years, but she’s always able to fight them off. Now, someone has been sending her messages and trying to kill her. This person knows secrets that she has never told anyone. Natasha has to revisit her past to find her attacker.
I haven’t read any Black Widow stories before this one. I loved the movie so I wanted to read more of the history of the character. This story was a good introduction, but it made me want to know more about Natasha’s history. There were just teasers of what she had done earlier in her life, so I’ll need to go find some more stories to learn more.
Black Widow: The Name of the Rose is a good introduction to Black Widow!
I haven’t read any Black Widow stories before this one. I loved the movie so I wanted to read more of the history of the character. This story was a good introduction, but it made me want to know more about Natasha’s history. There were just teasers of what she had done earlier in her life, so I’ll need to go find some more stories to learn more.
Black Widow: The Name of the Rose is a good introduction to Black Widow!
darceyy's review
5.0
You don’t understand. I *LOVE* this comic.
I would not my only class it as a perfect story (with immaculate writing, bullseye characterisation and beautiful art), but specifically a perfect Black Widow story.
*chef’s kiss*
I would not my only class it as a perfect story (with immaculate writing, bullseye characterisation and beautiful art), but specifically a perfect Black Widow story.
*chef’s kiss*