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Black Widow (2014) (Single Issues)
Black Widow #2
Can Black Widow make up for her time spent as a KBG assassin? Or will the darkness of her past consume her?
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
219 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Edmondson
214 books125 followersComic book and screenwriter Nathan Edmondson is a native of Augusta, GA. His Eisner-nominated book Who Is Jake Ellis? will soon be a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox, and The Activity film will come soon from Paramount Pictures. NPR has listed his work among the “Top 6 Comics to Draw You In” and USA Today and CNN are among those who have listed him in their Top 10 lists.
Nathan currently lives near Los Angeles, USA.
Nathan currently lives near Los Angeles, USA.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 26, 2014
I really like the idea of Natasha doing contract jobs to help balance her slate and atone for a bloody past. She's more of a non-profit mercenary. All the money she earns from her contracts go to running her foundation. She also has a pretty capable lawyer/manager who's no qualms about protecting the interests of his client, even if he has to get his hand bloody to do it.
I'm definitely enjoying this new series. The Phil Noto art is just amazing and I curious on where Nathan Edmondson will take his story.
I'm definitely enjoying this new series. The Phil Noto art is just amazing and I curious on where Nathan Edmondson will take his story.
February 1, 2014
Black Widow continues to make good on her past mistakes by taking on dangerous new hit jobs, this time taking her to China. Phil Noto's art continues to be the standout of this great new series and Nathan Edmondson's scripts are the best I've read from him so far. Read the full review here!
January 31, 2014
You can read the full review over at my blog:
http://sonsofcorax.wordpress.com/2014...
It seems that Marvel is taking a pretty big chance with its All-New Marvel NOW! launch of new titles (and a sprinkling of some relaunches as well) in that the new titles all appear to be double-shipping in their first months. That’s pretty significant I believe and hints also that they trust these books to that degree. Since Black Widow is the only title I’ve read so far (two issues that is), I won’t comment on whether it is a strategy that is working for me since the bigger picture needs to be looked at, but damn, Black Widow #2 was an awesome issue on all fronts.
Black Widow #1 was a damn good issue. The writing was perfect, and the art almost perfect. It was a perfect blending of talent for a character that I’ve really come to love thanks to the recent run of Marvel movies. With Black Widow #2, Nathan Edmondson continues to build on her world, perfectly contextualising her within the movies continuity while perfectly doing his own thing as well. I love what he is doing. And having now gotten a good taste of Phil Noto’s style, the art here was damn gorgeous.
Black Widow 02Can I just take a moment to say that that cover for this issue is like one of the most insanely awesome covers I’ve seen? I mean, if this is the kind of art quality that we can expect from this book, then by damn, I’m in it hook, line and sinker because I jsut can’t get enough of this. The cover gives you a perfect idea for Phil’s style in this series and in that manner, it is perfectly representative. How great is that? But honestly, I’m in love with that cover. Natasha’s pose is perfect, and I love its understated action.
So, moving on to the story. The previous issue gave us a good look at this new Natasha. Nathan began by telling a great self-contained story in that debut issue and he does the same thing here as well. Most comics today, like ninety-five percent of them, have these long and involved arcs right off the bat and it can get disconcerting. Sometimes I just want to read a few comics where each story is in its own place and doesn’t really relate to anything else within the series, not directly.
In this issue, we see Natasha takes on a more personal mission this time, doing something for someone who appears to be an old friend. The issue starts off right in the middle of things, right in the action, but Nathan does go back to fill in the blanks and show how she got to that point. What I liked was that this time Natasha goes up against someone who is almost a match for her, someone who does have a shot at taking her down. It helps establish that she is not as big a hotshot as you might think. It helps to ground her character in realism. It shows that even she has limits of her own. Moving forward, if Nathan maintains that same tone, then I’m sure that this will be a great series indeed.
Another great thing about this issue was that Natasha’s agent got his own moment here to be a damn badass. It wasn’t something I expected at all and the surprise proved to be a great one indeed. Looking at him, you’d never think of him in those terms, seriously. How Nathan pulled that magic trick out of his hat, I have no idea, but pull it out he did and it is one of the many highlights of this issue.
Speaking of the art, I can just look at this issue all day, it is that good. Having gone through two issues with this particular style, I can almost forget all my other favourite comics. The loose pencils give the entire an undefined style to a degree but it is an approach that works wonders. The entire red-pink palette also does its wonders. I mean, I’m not really sure what else to say about the art here. I love it. I’m really hoping that Phil Noto is on this series for like a hundred issues or something. For me, just based on the art alone, Black Widow could well be the big break-out series of the year.
Needless to say, this was pretty much a perfect issue.
Rating: 9.5/10
http://sonsofcorax.wordpress.com/2014...
It seems that Marvel is taking a pretty big chance with its All-New Marvel NOW! launch of new titles (and a sprinkling of some relaunches as well) in that the new titles all appear to be double-shipping in their first months. That’s pretty significant I believe and hints also that they trust these books to that degree. Since Black Widow is the only title I’ve read so far (two issues that is), I won’t comment on whether it is a strategy that is working for me since the bigger picture needs to be looked at, but damn, Black Widow #2 was an awesome issue on all fronts.
Black Widow #1 was a damn good issue. The writing was perfect, and the art almost perfect. It was a perfect blending of talent for a character that I’ve really come to love thanks to the recent run of Marvel movies. With Black Widow #2, Nathan Edmondson continues to build on her world, perfectly contextualising her within the movies continuity while perfectly doing his own thing as well. I love what he is doing. And having now gotten a good taste of Phil Noto’s style, the art here was damn gorgeous.
Black Widow 02Can I just take a moment to say that that cover for this issue is like one of the most insanely awesome covers I’ve seen? I mean, if this is the kind of art quality that we can expect from this book, then by damn, I’m in it hook, line and sinker because I jsut can’t get enough of this. The cover gives you a perfect idea for Phil’s style in this series and in that manner, it is perfectly representative. How great is that? But honestly, I’m in love with that cover. Natasha’s pose is perfect, and I love its understated action.
So, moving on to the story. The previous issue gave us a good look at this new Natasha. Nathan began by telling a great self-contained story in that debut issue and he does the same thing here as well. Most comics today, like ninety-five percent of them, have these long and involved arcs right off the bat and it can get disconcerting. Sometimes I just want to read a few comics where each story is in its own place and doesn’t really relate to anything else within the series, not directly.
In this issue, we see Natasha takes on a more personal mission this time, doing something for someone who appears to be an old friend. The issue starts off right in the middle of things, right in the action, but Nathan does go back to fill in the blanks and show how she got to that point. What I liked was that this time Natasha goes up against someone who is almost a match for her, someone who does have a shot at taking her down. It helps establish that she is not as big a hotshot as you might think. It helps to ground her character in realism. It shows that even she has limits of her own. Moving forward, if Nathan maintains that same tone, then I’m sure that this will be a great series indeed.
Another great thing about this issue was that Natasha’s agent got his own moment here to be a damn badass. It wasn’t something I expected at all and the surprise proved to be a great one indeed. Looking at him, you’d never think of him in those terms, seriously. How Nathan pulled that magic trick out of his hat, I have no idea, but pull it out he did and it is one of the many highlights of this issue.
Speaking of the art, I can just look at this issue all day, it is that good. Having gone through two issues with this particular style, I can almost forget all my other favourite comics. The loose pencils give the entire an undefined style to a degree but it is an approach that works wonders. The entire red-pink palette also does its wonders. I mean, I’m not really sure what else to say about the art here. I love it. I’m really hoping that Phil Noto is on this series for like a hundred issues or something. For me, just based on the art alone, Black Widow could well be the big break-out series of the year.
Needless to say, this was pretty much a perfect issue.
Rating: 9.5/10
August 27, 2014
¿Natasha Romanoff?
Su pasado siempre la perseguirá...
The widow.
The Russian avenger.
The slavic shadow.
The red death.
Su pasado siempre la perseguirá...
October 5, 2015
"My past is my own"
Pero el gatitu, nat...
Pero el gatitu, nat...
January 9, 2015
It was better than the first one.
April 7, 2024
STUNNING cover
did nat justice
"picking your own jobs means you get to exercise your own ethics. but ethics isnt science. which is to say... you do your best...but that doesnt make you right."
i can get behind the art style, it's nice to the eye, fitting to the character and story - especialy the color palette but id say we've seen more compelling art styles
"jobs can feel familiar , but familiarity is a dangerous feeling. in espionage and mercenary work , theres no such thing as routine."
little scorpion gadget detail
"you are quite difficult to kill, natasha. but your gadgets and toys are useless when you are so easily deceived"
"the widow. the russina avenger. the slavic shadow. the red death. they have so many names for you." nice panel
"your brother was a murderer. im a killer.
semantics. you cant change the past.
my past is my own."
liho panel "i cant let you in, im sorry. thats one mistake i wont make twice."
3.5 stars
did nat justice
"picking your own jobs means you get to exercise your own ethics. but ethics isnt science. which is to say... you do your best...but that doesnt make you right."
i can get behind the art style, it's nice to the eye, fitting to the character and story - especialy the color palette but id say we've seen more compelling art styles
"jobs can feel familiar , but familiarity is a dangerous feeling. in espionage and mercenary work , theres no such thing as routine."
little scorpion gadget detail
"you are quite difficult to kill, natasha. but your gadgets and toys are useless when you are so easily deceived"
"the widow. the russina avenger. the slavic shadow. the red death. they have so many names for you." nice panel
"your brother was a murderer. im a killer.
semantics. you cant change the past.
my past is my own."
liho panel "i cant let you in, im sorry. thats one mistake i wont make twice."
3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2017
Shangaied. In which Nat should have seen it coming.
November 12, 2018
the artwork is satisfying! so good!!
Read
December 6, 2020[06/12/20]
July 1, 2021
Short to read but enjoying this so far
March 20, 2022
Feels really quick for something with not a whole lot of momentum. Also ends with a cliche line about not letting anyone in.
Read
October 18, 2022natasha e liho 🥰💞💖😸
March 2, 2025
in another life I’m Natasha and my cat is liho
May 21, 2025
“my past is my own” 🫡
August 18, 2025
Liho is such a cutie, please Natasha give him a chance
November 9, 2025
no it’s really good i just didn’t expect it to be chinese
August 30, 2019
This comic is really awesome.
July 21, 2020
-*= It didn't feel like five stars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Series Review~
Movie Rating: PG-13 (Violence, improper clothing, dressing/shower scenes)
Average Star Rating (not including the volumes): 3.75
Main Reasons For Stars Taken (in most used order):
~ Did not feel like five star comics.
~ Shower/dress scene or improper clothing.
~ I do not like Daredevil x Natasha so I took stars off for that.
Main Reasons for Stars Given:
~ Stories about Black Widow's past.
~ Character development.
~ Amazing artwork.
Comments:
Overall, a very nice comic series. I believe the plot with Chaos could have used some more work to make it more interesting but the glimpses into her past and side jobs were very nice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Series Review~
Movie Rating: PG-13 (Violence, improper clothing, dressing/shower scenes)
Average Star Rating (not including the volumes): 3.75
Main Reasons For Stars Taken (in most used order):
~ Did not feel like five star comics.
~ Shower/dress scene or improper clothing.
~ I do not like Daredevil x Natasha so I took stars off for that.
Main Reasons for Stars Given:
~ Stories about Black Widow's past.
~ Character development.
~ Amazing artwork.
Comments:
Overall, a very nice comic series. I believe the plot with Chaos could have used some more work to make it more interesting but the glimpses into her past and side jobs were very nice.
April 14, 2016
The theme with the cat and not letting it in is beautiful and sad. I wonder if bad things happen to the cat when she inevitably lets the cat in, which sends her on some mad quest for revenge, because it coincides with other things happening in the larger story. That would be wonderful. I love those kind of stories. I hope it surprises me.
This story was tightly written, I loved the way the past and present blended together, and the way Natasha fights was pretty freakin' spectacular. The artwork is gorgeous. It totally brings me into the story. This is another artist that has elements that are almost photographic.
We've definitely met a villain here who will be reoccurring. I still can't tell what kind of arc we're working on right now. This one felt a bit episodic in the mission and completion, but there were many further reaching elements in the story as well. I can't wait to see where this is going ... and I kinda hope that this is a really long plot we're working here. I find those more interesting.
Read more commentary here: http://www.rjspindle.com/content/blac...
This story was tightly written, I loved the way the past and present blended together, and the way Natasha fights was pretty freakin' spectacular. The artwork is gorgeous. It totally brings me into the story. This is another artist that has elements that are almost photographic.
We've definitely met a villain here who will be reoccurring. I still can't tell what kind of arc we're working on right now. This one felt a bit episodic in the mission and completion, but there were many further reaching elements in the story as well. I can't wait to see where this is going ... and I kinda hope that this is a really long plot we're working here. I find those more interesting.
Read more commentary here: http://www.rjspindle.com/content/blac...
May 16, 2016
The Best of: Shanghaied (Black Widow #2)
1. Natasha taking full responsibility of herself and mistakes made on jobs.
2. Natasha on ethics: "Picking your own jobs means you get to exercise your own ethics. But ethics isn't a science. Which is to say... You do your best... But that doesn't make you right."
3. Seeing how well Natasha can read the shit out of people. I would really like that skill.
4. Natasha on the dangers of routine: "Jobs can feel familiar, but familiarity is a dangerous feeling. In espionage and mercenary work, there's no such thing as routine."
5. Isaiah being a total badass in his own right: refusing to divulge the Black Widow's whereabouts AND bugging the guy who wanted to know so he can spy on him.
6. "My past is my own."
7. Natasha and Isaiah's conversation in his car. Also, Isaiah "taking care of business"! Can I repeat again that he is a badass.
8. Natasha's neighbor Ana insisting that Liho waits around the neighborhood for her.
9. Natasha apologizing the (cute) cat: "I can't let you in. I'm sorry. That's one mistake I won't make twice."
10. Recommended!
1. Natasha taking full responsibility of herself and mistakes made on jobs.
2. Natasha on ethics: "Picking your own jobs means you get to exercise your own ethics. But ethics isn't a science. Which is to say... You do your best... But that doesn't make you right."
3. Seeing how well Natasha can read the shit out of people. I would really like that skill.
4. Natasha on the dangers of routine: "Jobs can feel familiar, but familiarity is a dangerous feeling. In espionage and mercenary work, there's no such thing as routine."
5. Isaiah being a total badass in his own right: refusing to divulge the Black Widow's whereabouts AND bugging the guy who wanted to know so he can spy on him.
6. "My past is my own."
7. Natasha and Isaiah's conversation in his car. Also, Isaiah "taking care of business"! Can I repeat again that he is a badass.
8. Natasha's neighbor Ana insisting that Liho waits around the neighborhood for her.
9. Natasha apologizing the (cute) cat: "I can't let you in. I'm sorry. That's one mistake I won't make twice."
10. Recommended!
April 6, 2016
This was a bit of a let down from the high of Book #1. Also it appears to be a marketing strategy to draw in the boys by guest starring the testosterone. But I'm not here for The Punisher (pity the person who has to ink all that back & shoulder hair in every frame), I'm here for Natasha. The last chapter is redemptive, with the Black Widow bringing along X-23 who is apparently despondent over the death of Wolverine and gives absolutely zero fucks. That sequence is freaking hot. Also one of the fun things about reading Marvel comics(as opposed to the movies) is getting to see the Avengers interact with the X-men. Be clear, I am not deeply absorbed in comic book reading, I'm just dipping into something that caught my eye at the library and I'm really enjoying it!
April 23, 2014
I was initially iffy about the whole "Chinese villain" caricature, and welp, I mean--it could've been worse. It wasn't that bad of a visual portrayal. Just stereotypical. As per comic book cheese.
But since they made Spidey Hispanic, one would think Marvel would have a keener eye on giving POC characters more variety. Or depth. Or any semblance of Individuality over the Usual, One-Note Crap. Alas. Can't have it all.
I did looove the last few panels though. Liho is SUCH a metaphor for Bucky. Everything about Natasha and that "stray cat" that keeps waiting around for her is Bucky in feline form. Okay. Oooookaaaaaaaayyyy.
But since they made Spidey Hispanic, one would think Marvel would have a keener eye on giving POC characters more variety. Or depth. Or any semblance of Individuality over the Usual, One-Note Crap. Alas. Can't have it all.
I did looove the last few panels though. Liho is SUCH a metaphor for Bucky. Everything about Natasha and that "stray cat" that keeps waiting around for her is Bucky in feline form. Okay. Oooookaaaaaaaayyyy.
October 15, 2014
i thought it was interesting how natasha just let the issue drop at the end. she has the freedom to make her own decisions on her own time, which i love. and it looks like isaac has some tricks up his sleeve! not sure if i should be worried/suspicious? i also really love the symbolism of liho the cat, can't wait to see him again in later issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2014
Bastante mejor que el primer numero, tanto en argumento como en dibujo. Y me gusta el rollo del gato.
February 10, 2014
Still liking this series without totally loving it - occasionally the writing feels stodgy. Love Noto's art though and I do love Natasha so am sticking with it.
January 12, 2015
<3 This ongoing series is awesome- go check it out.
May 30, 2014
natasha.
June 3, 2015
More Romanoff, doing her best to wipe the red out of her ledger. Falling more and more in love with the art as time goes on.
August 16, 2014
Story was ok but the art was fantastic. Didn't have #1. And I am not super familiar with black widow but I would read more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews