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A review by emilyroseallen
Black Widow, Vol. 1: The Finely Woven Thread by Nathan Edmondson
5.0
This book really was phenomenal. Natasha Romanoff is a character that I've long wanted to read more of, but has such massive source material to pluck from that I found it difficult to find a place to start. This comic basically goes "screw it" to her past, establishing her as a character in her own right, undefined by the pain of her past. For those that do know her backstory, though, this comic is a brilliant example of her character development as she learns to let others into her life and moves on from the violence of her past.
The plot itself was entertaining, showing Natasha entering the world as a spy/agent of espionage. It was a refreshing take from the usual tropes of superhero comics, one that so many others in her world find their story told from. Natasha, though, while being the Black Widow, is so much more than a superhero, and this story describes her second life fascinatingly. With entertaining cameos from other members of her superhero life (that continue throughout the second and third volumes, too), we are reminded of who she is outside of the series while not losing this side of her character.
The plot was great, but I think that my favorite thing about this series was the art. It was absolutely stunning. It's not done in the classic comic pop art style, but rather, looking as if it was painted. With a monthly update, I can't imagine how Phil Noto kept his art at such high quality. I've seen his art before, and I'm never disappointed; this man truly has a level of artistic talent that many publishing similar comics can not meet. They could've given me a terrible plot and this art still would've saved the series for me.
Bottom line - this was a fantastic volume, and I'm sure that most Black Widow fans would say the same.
The plot itself was entertaining, showing Natasha entering the world as a spy/agent of espionage. It was a refreshing take from the usual tropes of superhero comics, one that so many others in her world find their story told from. Natasha, though, while being the Black Widow, is so much more than a superhero, and this story describes her second life fascinatingly. With entertaining cameos from other members of her superhero life (that continue throughout the second and third volumes, too), we are reminded of who she is outside of the series while not losing this side of her character.
The plot was great, but I think that my favorite thing about this series was the art. It was absolutely stunning. It's not done in the classic comic pop art style, but rather, looking as if it was painted. With a monthly update, I can't imagine how Phil Noto kept his art at such high quality. I've seen his art before, and I'm never disappointed; this man truly has a level of artistic talent that many publishing similar comics can not meet. They could've given me a terrible plot and this art still would've saved the series for me.
Bottom line - this was a fantastic volume, and I'm sure that most Black Widow fans would say the same.