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Black Widow (1999) #1-3
Black Widow
Yelena Belova, a young yet dangerous assassin, seeks to claim the mantle of Black Widow from Natasha Romanov, a former Soviet spy who defected to the West.
Collects:
- Black Widow Vol. 1 #1-3
- Black Widow Vol. 2 #1-3
Collects:
- Black Widow Vol. 1 #1-3
- Black Widow Vol. 2 #1-3
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
42 people are currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Devin Grayson
509 books115 followersDevin Grayson is an avid gamer, former acting student, and enthusiastic reader fortunate enough to have turned a lifelong obsession with fictional characters into a dynamic writing career. She has a B.A. from Bard College, where she studied creative writing with novelist Mona Simpson. Best known for her work on the Batman titles for DC Comics, Devin has been a regular writer on Catwoman, Nightwing, and The Titans, and contributed to the award-winning No Man’s Land story arc. With the publication of Batman: Gotham Knights in March of 2000, she became the first (and, sadly, only as of 2020) female to create, launch and write an ongoing Batman title.
Additional career highlights include the launch of the critically acclaimed series Omni for Humanoids, Doctor Strange: The Fate of Dreams, an original novel featuring Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, and USER—a highly personal three-part, creator-owned miniseries about gender identity and online role-playing, originally published by Vertigo and newly available as a collected edition hardcover through Image. Devin is also the creator of Yelena Belova, a Marvel character staring in the upcoming MCU Black Widow movie (played by Florence Pugh), Damien Darhk, a DC character now appearing regularly in CW’s Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow (played by Neal McDonough), and Catalina Flores, a DC character recently featured as the super-villain Tarantula in The Lego Batman Movie.
Frequently cited for compelling character development and nuanced exploration of complex themes, Devin’s work has been showcased in mainstream media such as USA Today and Working Woman as well as in alternative press such as The Village Voice, The Advocate, and Curve magazine. Over the years, she has written in several different media and genres, from comic books and novels to video game scripts and short essays. She is currently working on an original graphic novel for Berger Books.
Devin lives in Northern California with her husband, step-son, devoted Early Alert Canines Diabetic Alert Dog, and somewhat less devoted cat. Openly bisexual, she is a passionate advocate for the GLBTQ community, as well as being a committed environmentalist, and a public speaker for T1 Diabetes awareness and Diabetic Alert Dogs. She is always happy to take on a new challenge, especially if it involves making some new fictional friends.
Additional career highlights include the launch of the critically acclaimed series Omni for Humanoids, Doctor Strange: The Fate of Dreams, an original novel featuring Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, and USER—a highly personal three-part, creator-owned miniseries about gender identity and online role-playing, originally published by Vertigo and newly available as a collected edition hardcover through Image. Devin is also the creator of Yelena Belova, a Marvel character staring in the upcoming MCU Black Widow movie (played by Florence Pugh), Damien Darhk, a DC character now appearing regularly in CW’s Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow (played by Neal McDonough), and Catalina Flores, a DC character recently featured as the super-villain Tarantula in The Lego Batman Movie.
Frequently cited for compelling character development and nuanced exploration of complex themes, Devin’s work has been showcased in mainstream media such as USA Today and Working Woman as well as in alternative press such as The Village Voice, The Advocate, and Curve magazine. Over the years, she has written in several different media and genres, from comic books and novels to video game scripts and short essays. She is currently working on an original graphic novel for Berger Books.
Devin lives in Northern California with her husband, step-son, devoted Early Alert Canines Diabetic Alert Dog, and somewhat less devoted cat. Openly bisexual, she is a passionate advocate for the GLBTQ community, as well as being a committed environmentalist, and a public speaker for T1 Diabetes awareness and Diabetic Alert Dogs. She is always happy to take on a new challenge, especially if it involves making some new fictional friends.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 20, 2022
Serviceable story about the two Black Widows duking it out.
Natasha vs Yelena!
The 1st story was far better (in my opinion) because the 2nd kinda took off on a ride to Crazytown.
The beginning 3 issues were a pretty straightforward story introducing Yelena Belova as the blonde, bootylicious, and entirely willing product of Russia's Red Room project.
She's a patriot, and therefore sees herself as the true Black Widow.
So.
Natasha's gotta die.
Yeah, it's basically a Spy vs Spy story, except with a lot of leather and cleavage. If that bugs you, take a pass. But as far as entertainment goes, I thought it was good enough.
The 2nd half certainly has less tits & ass, but that didn't necessarily make it better. The last 3 issues made up an entirely different kind of Black Widow tale.
Think: FACE/OFF
Uh huh...that.
For some convoluted reason, Natasha decides to (swear to God I'm not kidding) switch faces with Yelena to teach her a life lesson. Oh, and she also wants to do some spy stuff.
But, seriously, there were easier ways to go about it other than sci-fi surgery.
The art was pretty, but with such a weird nonsense storyline, I just couldn't get into it.
If you're a HUGE fan of Black Widow this might be something you want to check out. Otherwise, skip it.
Natasha vs Yelena!
The 1st story was far better (in my opinion) because the 2nd kinda took off on a ride to Crazytown.
The beginning 3 issues were a pretty straightforward story introducing Yelena Belova as the blonde, bootylicious, and entirely willing product of Russia's Red Room project.
She's a patriot, and therefore sees herself as the true Black Widow.
So.
Natasha's gotta die.
Yeah, it's basically a Spy vs Spy story, except with a lot of leather and cleavage. If that bugs you, take a pass. But as far as entertainment goes, I thought it was good enough.
The 2nd half certainly has less tits & ass, but that didn't necessarily make it better. The last 3 issues made up an entirely different kind of Black Widow tale.
Think: FACE/OFF
Uh huh...that.
For some convoluted reason, Natasha decides to (swear to God I'm not kidding) switch faces with Yelena to teach her a life lesson. Oh, and she also wants to do some spy stuff.
But, seriously, there were easier ways to go about it other than sci-fi surgery.
The art was pretty, but with such a weird nonsense storyline, I just couldn't get into it.
If you're a HUGE fan of Black Widow this might be something you want to check out. Otherwise, skip it.
June 2, 2016
It’s a battle of the Black Widows!!
Natasha Romanov vs. Yelena Belova!
This volume contains two stories originally published separately detailing the animus between everyone’s favorite Black Widow, Romanov, versus the upstart, Belova, who’s trying to lay claim to the title.
These tales were published before the Avengers movies, so there’s no red ledgers of questionable stuff that has to be washed away. It’s generally a guiltless beatdown - a gunshot here, a kick to the groin there, stuff gets blown up.
The first story is adequate. It recounts the first meeting of the two Widows and how they had to stop beating the crap out of one another and eventually work together to achieve a common goal –saving the world or something.
The second entry, by Greg Rucka, is one of the more interesting Black Widow tales I’ve read. It combines elements from the movie Face-Off, spy philosophizing, and some espionage action to make this a decent Widow story and those are seemingly hard to find. If you can accept the knuckle head premise of surgically switching faces (twice!) then it’s not too difficult to enjoy this.
Bottom line: Guilt-free Black Widow. Three and a half stars.
Natasha Romanov vs. Yelena Belova!
This volume contains two stories originally published separately detailing the animus between everyone’s favorite Black Widow, Romanov, versus the upstart, Belova, who’s trying to lay claim to the title.
These tales were published before the Avengers movies, so there’s no red ledgers of questionable stuff that has to be washed away. It’s generally a guiltless beatdown - a gunshot here, a kick to the groin there, stuff gets blown up.
The first story is adequate. It recounts the first meeting of the two Widows and how they had to stop beating the crap out of one another and eventually work together to achieve a common goal –saving the world or something.
The second entry, by Greg Rucka, is one of the more interesting Black Widow tales I’ve read. It combines elements from the movie Face-Off, spy philosophizing, and some espionage action to make this a decent Widow story and those are seemingly hard to find. If you can accept the knuckle head premise of surgically switching faces (twice!) then it’s not too difficult to enjoy this.
Bottom line: Guilt-free Black Widow. Three and a half stars.
June 8, 2020
not one of the better efforts. The first 3 story arc was okay, but totally did not like the 2nd 3 story arc.
July 29, 2015
This artwork is so amazing & beautiful!! Loved it!
Absolutely love this storyline too! Natasha Romanov VS Yelena Belova. Awesome action and those two girls kick some serious ass.
Found this at my library so now the hunt for it so I can buy it and find the next issues begins!
Absolutely love this storyline too! Natasha Romanov VS Yelena Belova. Awesome action and those two girls kick some serious ass.
Found this at my library so now the hunt for it so I can buy it and find the next issues begins!
July 6, 2021
An average rating of 3. The German version I read contains three stories:
- 1999 series: 4/5 stars
- 2001series: 2/5
- Pale Little Spider (2002): 2/5
I only read this because the Black Widow movie finally(!) comes out this week and I'm more than hyped. Pathetic reason, but it's the truth.
I really enjoyed the first story which has Natasha and Yelena going against each other in a typical spy/action style. Nothing groundbreaking, but exciting with good artwork.
The second and third, not so much. The second is a face-and-identity-swap story that was a bit confusing and I didn't like the art that much.
The third is only about Yelena Belova, whom I love already, but the story itself really wasn't my thing. Too much nsfw stuff (I'm talking sex clubs, nudity, bdsm stuff). Also the art was kinda off, especially the facial expressions.
All in all I'm a bit disappointed, but at least it had some cool fight scenes and some character information on Yelena. And I got a digital copy from my library so no money wasted.
- 1999 series: 4/5 stars
- 2001series: 2/5
- Pale Little Spider (2002): 2/5
I only read this because the Black Widow movie finally(!) comes out this week and I'm more than hyped. Pathetic reason, but it's the truth.
I really enjoyed the first story which has Natasha and Yelena going against each other in a typical spy/action style. Nothing groundbreaking, but exciting with good artwork.
The second and third, not so much. The second is a face-and-identity-swap story that was a bit confusing and I didn't like the art that much.
The third is only about Yelena Belova, whom I love already, but the story itself really wasn't my thing. Too much nsfw stuff (I'm talking sex clubs, nudity, bdsm stuff). Also the art was kinda off, especially the facial expressions.
All in all I'm a bit disappointed, but at least it had some cool fight scenes and some character information on Yelena. And I got a digital copy from my library so no money wasted.
July 17, 2016
This is really two separate miniseries, and serves as a decent introduction to Yelena Belova, the other Black Widow. I've seen Yelena before, mostly in relation to the Dark Reign storyline, and this is where she comes from, I guess. She does kind of come out of nowhere, but her existence does make sense. Natasha was so effectively trained that it only stands to reason that the Russian government would repeat her training on another candidate. The first story is a decent spy caper sort of thing. Nothing exciting, but solid. The second story is basically a Face Off variant, and I just didn't like it, at all. But the art is very nice. The watercolor look is quite unusual in comics, especially in superhero comics. It looks great. There's nothing that I would suggest going out of your way to get your hands on, but if you happen to see it at your local library, like I did, it wouldn't be a terrible idea to give it a read.
January 6, 2017
Eh, I hovered between 2 and 3 so 2.5???
There is something here worth praising. They delve into how Natasha feels about being the Black Widow. Everyone likes to typecast her as the typical Russian spy a la Boris and Natasha but she's not.
There's a lot of Natasha pondering her mortality and her purpose in life, here. She gets a letter from her doctor telling her happy birthday and it upsets her because that's those are the only birthday wishes she receives that day. It reminds her that she's alone and probably certain to stay that way. She tells Yelena as much when she's warning her to turn away now and save herself. There's SOMETHING there and it's wrapped in the stagnant plots of this book.
I much much prefer the Edmonton/Noto series, both for writing and art. I really felt like I got a feel for who Natasha was there but she has a lot more dialogue in this series.
Essentially, I wanted to understand why people love Yelena and Nat's relationship and I sort of do now? Sort of. Yelena is sent to take Widow out or work the same mission, I'm not really sure. Natasha feels sorry for her because Yelena is just a pawn to be played, the same was Nat was when she was younger. Natasha tries to get Yelena to realize that there is no glory in being the Black Widow. You're just being used for your government's purposes until they have no use for you anymore.
Natasha cooks up some pretty fucked up schemes to get this point across to her. Oddly enough, Yelena doesn't hate Natasha afterwards. And I'll admit, there are some moments that make me understand why some people latched onto their relationship. It certainly interests me more than watching Matt pine after Nat throughout the whole trade.
The art in the first arc is not my favorite and I wasn't a fan of the second arc's art at all.
Again, if you want to read about Nat, pick up Edmondson's series. It's a lot easier to enjoy.
It's a recommend if you've read everything else about Natasha and are curious to see a series that's like a dialed down spy movie. If anything, the first scene in the warehouse is worth checking out.
There is something here worth praising. They delve into how Natasha feels about being the Black Widow. Everyone likes to typecast her as the typical Russian spy a la Boris and Natasha but she's not.
There's a lot of Natasha pondering her mortality and her purpose in life, here. She gets a letter from her doctor telling her happy birthday and it upsets her because that's those are the only birthday wishes she receives that day. It reminds her that she's alone and probably certain to stay that way. She tells Yelena as much when she's warning her to turn away now and save herself. There's SOMETHING there and it's wrapped in the stagnant plots of this book.
I much much prefer the Edmonton/Noto series, both for writing and art. I really felt like I got a feel for who Natasha was there but she has a lot more dialogue in this series.
Essentially, I wanted to understand why people love Yelena and Nat's relationship and I sort of do now? Sort of. Yelena is sent to take Widow out or work the same mission, I'm not really sure. Natasha feels sorry for her because Yelena is just a pawn to be played, the same was Nat was when she was younger. Natasha tries to get Yelena to realize that there is no glory in being the Black Widow. You're just being used for your government's purposes until they have no use for you anymore.
Natasha cooks up some pretty fucked up schemes to get this point across to her. Oddly enough, Yelena doesn't hate Natasha afterwards. And I'll admit, there are some moments that make me understand why some people latched onto their relationship. It certainly interests me more than watching Matt pine after Nat throughout the whole trade.
The art in the first arc is not my favorite and I wasn't a fan of the second arc's art at all.
Again, if you want to read about Nat, pick up Edmondson's series. It's a lot easier to enjoy.
It's a recommend if you've read everything else about Natasha and are curious to see a series that's like a dialed down spy movie. If anything, the first scene in the warehouse is worth checking out.
December 11, 2014
This volume collects two three-issue Black Widow stories, Breakdown by Devin Grayson and Greg Rucka illustrated by Scott Hampton and the title story by Grayson illustrated by J.G. Jones. Both feature Natasha and her would-be replacement, Yelena Belova. The Itsy-Bitsy Spider is a rather traditional adventure, with slick and shiny colorful art, whereas Breakdown is a more muted, philosophical piece, both in tone and appearance. Hampton does a very striking job of catching eyes and facial expressions. Daredevil appears in both, and Nick Fury guests in Breakdown. The nature of espionage versus super-heroing is examined to good effect, and the relationship of the two Black Widows is surprisingly poignant. It's a very good book; I enjoyed it very much.
June 30, 2015
You take all those spy movies and book, and you make them into female leads. Then you add picture, but not just any pictures, cool comic book art, then on top of all that, your female super spy is Black Widow, that's right the kick ass hero from the avengers. Although this story came out before Scarlett Johannsen made her a big screen hit. She was a super spy at war with another, calling herself Black Widow. I really like Devin Greyson, she knows how to write a good comic book spy superhero.
October 19, 2023
extremely good
September 18, 2020
Κριτική στο Smassing Culture
Μια άνιση (επανα)γνωριμία
Με αφορμή την (αρκετά καθυστερημένη) solo ταινία της Black Widow, oι εκδόσεις Anubis έρχονται να μας δείξουν μια ιστορία από το εκδοτικό παρελθόν του χαρακτήρα, και πιο συγκεκριμένα από τo 1999. Πολύ κοντά στην παρακμή των extreme 90s αλλά και στην πολιτική αναγέννηση των μέσων της δεκαετίας, το Black Widow: Μια Μικρή Αράχνη συγκεντρώνει και αναπαριστά αυτές τις αντιφάσεις τόσο στο σχέδιο του όσο και στο σενάριο.
Η ιστορία είναι γραμμένη από τη Devin Grayson, στη αρχή σχετικά της καριέρας της στους μεγάλους εκδοτικούς (εδώ τη Marvel). Αποτελεί μέρος της σειράς Marvel Knights. Το σενάριο λοιπόν δείχνει τη Natasha Romanof να παλεύει να κρατήσει τον τίτλο της Black Widow ενάντια στη νεότερη, δυνατότερη και γρηγορότερη Yelena Belova. Η Grayson, η οποία αργότερα θα διέπρεπε σε τίτλους όπως ο Nightwing, το User αλλά και τις πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες συμμετοχές της στα Womanthology, εδώ κάνει αρκετές προσπάθειες να εστιάσει στη Black Widow και την αίσθηση του Εγώ της. Τι σημαίνει για την ίδια ο τίτλος της Black Widow, ποια είναι τελικά η ίδια χωρίς αυτόν. Τι συμβαίνει σε μια κατάσκοπο όταν χάνει την αποστολή της, το ταυτοτικό της στοιχείο και, πόσες φορές μπορεί ακόμα να αλλάξει τα πάντα μέσα της. Τι σημαίνουν για την ίδια οι άνθρωποι που περιστοιχίζει τον εαυτό της και τι σημαίνει η ίδια για αυτούς.
Η μετάφραση του Χρήστου Κανελόπουλου κατανοεί αυτές τις προσπάθειες και, παλεύοντας συνεχώς με τις ασυμφωνίες του υπερηρωικού λόγου, που είναι δομικά αγγλικός στη σύλληψη και την έκφραση, καταφέρνει να ακολουθήσει αξιέπαινα τον γρήγορο ρυθμό και την ταυτοχρονία συζητήσεων /εκρήξεων.
Ωστόσο, επειδή το υπερηρωικό κόμικ δεν ήταν ακόμα σε αυτή τη φάση ενδοσκόπηση και επειδή η ίδια η συγγραφέας δεν είχε την εμπειρία να το κατευθύνει, ειδικά ενάντια στα πιο central controlled σενάρια της Marvel, πολύ συχνά οι εσωτερικές αναζητήσεις διακόπτονται από «δράση μονταζιέρας», δηλαδή εκρήξεις και ακατάπαυστο κυνηγητό και πιστολίδια τα οποία φαίνεται πως λειτουργούν και ως αυτοσκοπός, άρα δεν προωθούν την πλοκή ή τις οντολογικές ανησυχίες του χαρακτήρα. Ταυτόχρονα, παρά το γεγονός ότι μια γυναίκα συγγραφέας έγραψε έναν γυναικείο χαρακτήρα πολλά σεξιστικά κλισέ από χρόνια κακομεταχείρισης της ηρωίδας μένουν στο απυρόβλητο.
Την ίδια στιγμή το πολιτικό πρόσημο της Μαύρης Χήρας, δηλαδή η ιδιότητα της ως πρώην κατάσκοπος της Σοβιετικής Ένωσης που αυτομόλησε, απομεινάρι του Ψυχροπολεμικού προπαγανδιστικού λόγου της αμερικανικής μαζικής κουλτούρας, εδώ παραμένει ισχυρό, επαυξάνοντας τα αντιαραβικά/ αντικινεζικά χαρακτηριστικά που πήρε η τακτική του «εξωτερικού εχθρού μετά τη διάλυση του Σοβιετικού Μπλοκ. Παραμένει δηλαδή ένα «πολιτιστικά ιμπεριαλιστικό» κόμικ και χαρακτήρας.
Όσον αφορά το σχέδιο του J.G Jones ( o oποίος αργότερα θα μας έδινε το Wanted) είναι στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος του ένα αδιάφορο «βιομηχανικό» σχεδόν σχέδιο. Μικρά γρήγορα καρέ που εναλλάσσονται με ταχύτητα δίνουν την αίσθηση της ασταμάτητα σχεδόν καταιγιστικής δράσης.
Γενικότερα στη Μικρή Αράχνη διαφαίνονται πολλά τα θέματα που είχε η υπερηρωική απεικόνιση στα 90s. Υπερβολικές πόζες, αφύσικες στάσεις, μύες σε μέρη που δε φαίνονται κανονικά και γενικότερα προβλήματα που δεν βλέπουμε πια στα σύγχρονα κόμικ.
Επιπρόσθετα, η σκοποφιλία κυριαρχεί στα γυναίκεια σώματα και ούτε ο πρωταγωνιστικός ρόλος δεν μπορεί να τα προστατέψει από το αυτή. Ίσα ίσα πολλές φορές η ίδια η λογική κάμπτεται προκειμένου το ανδρικό βλέμμα να μπορέσει να διευσδύσει σε μια αισθαντικοποιημένη εικόνα του γυναικείου σώματος.
Επιλογικά όμως, ενόψει και της ταινίας, το Μια Μικρή Αράχνη είναι μια καλή αρχή για κάποιον που δεν γνωρίζει τον χαρακτήρα στα κόμικς. Επιπλέον, είναι θετικό που σταδιακά, ακόμα και παρακινημένες από τις κινηματογραφικές εξελίξεις, οι συνθήκες στην Ελλάδα επιτρέπουν τη γνωριμία του κοινού με περισσότερους γυναικείους χαρακτήρες.
Μια άνιση (επανα)γνωριμία
Με αφορμή την (αρκετά καθυστερημένη) solo ταινία της Black Widow, oι εκδόσεις Anubis έρχονται να μας δείξουν μια ιστορία από το εκδοτικό παρελθόν του χαρακτήρα, και πιο συγκεκριμένα από τo 1999. Πολύ κοντά στην παρακμή των extreme 90s αλλά και στην πολιτική αναγέννηση των μέσων της δεκαετίας, το Black Widow: Μια Μικρή Αράχνη συγκεντρώνει και αναπαριστά αυτές τις αντιφάσεις τόσο στο σχέδιο του όσο και στο σενάριο.
Η ιστορία είναι γραμμένη από τη Devin Grayson, στη αρχή σχετικά της καριέρας της στους μεγάλους εκδοτικούς (εδώ τη Marvel). Αποτελεί μέρος της σειράς Marvel Knights. Το σενάριο λοιπόν δείχνει τη Natasha Romanof να παλεύει να κρατήσει τον τίτλο της Black Widow ενάντια στη νεότερη, δυνατότερη και γρηγορότερη Yelena Belova. Η Grayson, η οποία αργότερα θα διέπρεπε σε τίτλους όπως ο Nightwing, το User αλλά και τις πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες συμμετοχές της στα Womanthology, εδώ κάνει αρκετές προσπάθειες να εστιάσει στη Black Widow και την αίσθηση του Εγώ της. Τι σημαίνει για την ίδια ο τίτλος της Black Widow, ποια είναι τελικά η ίδια χωρίς αυτόν. Τι συμβαίνει σε μια κατάσκοπο όταν χάνει την αποστολή της, το ταυτοτικό της στοιχείο και, πόσες φορές μπορεί ακόμα να αλλάξει τα πάντα μέσα της. Τι σημαίνουν για την ίδια οι άνθρωποι που περιστοιχίζει τον εαυτό της και τι σημαίνει η ίδια για αυτούς.
Η μετάφραση του Χρήστου Κανελόπουλου κατανοεί αυτές τις προσπάθειες και, παλεύοντας συνεχώς με τις ασυμφωνίες του υπερηρωικού λόγου, που είναι δομικά αγγλικός στη σύλληψη και την έκφραση, καταφέρνει να ακολουθήσει αξιέπαινα τον γρήγορο ρυθμό και την ταυτοχρονία συζητήσεων /εκρήξεων.
Ωστόσο, επειδή το υπερηρωικό κόμικ δεν ήταν ακόμα σε αυτή τη φάση ενδοσκόπηση και επειδή η ίδια η συγγραφέας δεν είχε την εμπειρία να το κατευθύνει, ειδικά ενάντια στα πιο central controlled σενάρια της Marvel, πολύ συχνά οι εσωτερικές αναζητήσεις διακόπτονται από «δράση μονταζιέρας», δηλαδή εκρήξεις και ακατάπαυστο κυνηγητό και πιστολίδια τα οποία φαίνεται πως λειτουργούν και ως αυτοσκοπός, άρα δεν προωθούν την πλοκή ή τις οντολογικές ανησυχίες του χαρακτήρα. Ταυτόχρονα, παρά το γεγονός ότι μια γυναίκα συγγραφέας έγραψε έναν γυναικείο χαρακτήρα πολλά σεξιστικά κλισέ από χρόνια κακομεταχείρισης της ηρωίδας μένουν στο απυρόβλητο.
Την ίδια στιγμή το πολιτικό πρόσημο της Μαύρης Χήρας, δηλαδή η ιδιότητα της ως πρώην κατάσκοπος της Σοβιετικής Ένωσης που αυτομόλησε, απομεινάρι του Ψυχροπολεμικού προπαγανδιστικού λόγου της αμερικανικής μαζικής κουλτούρας, εδώ παραμένει ισχυρό, επαυξάνοντας τα αντιαραβικά/ αντικινεζικά χαρακτηριστικά που πήρε η τακτική του «εξωτερικού εχθρού μετά τη διάλυση του Σοβιετικού Μπλοκ. Παραμένει δηλαδή ένα «πολιτιστικά ιμπεριαλιστικό» κόμικ και χαρακτήρας.
Όσον αφορά το σχέδιο του J.G Jones ( o oποίος αργότερα θα μας έδινε το Wanted) είναι στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος του ένα αδιάφορο «βιομηχανικό» σχεδόν σχέδιο. Μικρά γρήγορα καρέ που εναλλάσσονται με ταχύτητα δίνουν την αίσθηση της ασταμάτητα σχεδόν καταιγιστικής δράσης.
Γενικότερα στη Μικρή Αράχνη διαφαίνονται πολλά τα θέματα που είχε η υπερηρωική απεικόνιση στα 90s. Υπερβολικές πόζες, αφύσικες στάσεις, μύες σε μέρη που δε φαίνονται κανονικά και γενικότερα προβλήματα που δεν βλέπουμε πια στα σύγχρονα κόμικ.
Επιπρόσθετα, η σκοποφιλία κυριαρχεί στα γυναίκεια σώματα και ούτε ο πρωταγωνιστικός ρόλος δεν μπορεί να τα προστατέψει από το αυτή. Ίσα ίσα πολλές φορές η ίδια η λογική κάμπτεται προκειμένου το ανδρικό βλέμμα να μπορέσει να διευσδύσει σε μια αισθαντικοποιημένη εικόνα του γυναικείου σώματος.
Επιλογικά όμως, ενόψει και της ταινίας, το Μια Μικρή Αράχνη είναι μια καλή αρχή για κάποιον που δεν γνωρίζει τον χαρακτήρα στα κόμικς. Επιπλέον, είναι θετικό που σταδιακά, ακόμα και παρακινημένες από τις κινηματογραφικές εξελίξεις, οι συνθήκες στην Ελλάδα επιτρέπουν τη γνωριμία του κοινού με περισσότερους γυναικείους χαρακτήρες.
February 24, 2022
I- what?? The first arc with the three issues from 1999 were good, surprisingly from something from 1999. The story was solid and pretty entertaining. Lots of tit & ass but not as bad as it could have been and it wasn't much actual tit out so it didn't fill me with rage. The super skin tight suit with the nips out was super cursed and Yelena having a suit with a crop top is the stupidest thing I've ever seen in my entire life though. Say you're a man drawing female superheroes without saying you're a man drawing female superheroes.
The second arc and the issues from 2001 were so ???? Dumb???? Natasha gets surgery to switch faces with Yelena to teach her a life lesson or something and it didn't make any damn sense. She uses Yelena to get to a bad guy but she didn't actually need her to do it. She didn't have to Face/Off with her to teach her a fucking life lesson like?? I did like Daredevil in this though mostly because he was like why tf are you doing this and even in the end saying he didn't get it. Same dude lol.
I would believe some magical entity sneezed and then switched them before ever believing or even understanding how the hell this weird ass surgery even worked. Plus Yelena calling this a rape just doesn't sit right with me. The entire thing doesn't sit right with me.
I didn't really like the art either. The first arc is barely three stars, the second is one. All together it gets two stars and may the next Black Widow comic I read not be weird and dumb.
The second arc and the issues from 2001 were so ???? Dumb???? Natasha gets surgery to switch faces with Yelena to teach her a life lesson or something and it didn't make any damn sense. She uses Yelena to get to a bad guy but she didn't actually need her to do it. She didn't have to Face/Off with her to teach her a fucking life lesson like?? I did like Daredevil in this though mostly because he was like why tf are you doing this and even in the end saying he didn't get it. Same dude lol.
I would believe some magical entity sneezed and then switched them before ever believing or even understanding how the hell this weird ass surgery even worked. Plus Yelena calling this a rape just doesn't sit right with me. The entire thing doesn't sit right with me.
I didn't really like the art either. The first arc is barely three stars, the second is one. All together it gets two stars and may the next Black Widow comic I read not be weird and dumb.
February 27, 2022
I liked this a lot better than 2009-2010 run of Black Widow comics I read yesterday. This was more organized, and had Natasha’s character more laid out. She actually had a personality in this, and I loved the introduction to Yelena who’s one of my new favorites in the mcu. Her character feels a lot different in this series, and I liked the take on her.
The plot was pretty ehh, I was mainly more focused on Natasha and Yelena fighting it out. That was overall, my favorite part of this. Excited to read more.
The plot was pretty ehh, I was mainly more focused on Natasha and Yelena fighting it out. That was overall, my favorite part of this. Excited to read more.
January 22, 2020
Oh boy, how to rate this one. I gave it 3 stars to average out the 2 story arcs. The first half collects a series from 1999, and the second half a series from 2000. The series from '99 is just plain boring, cliche, and a product of the 90s. The second arc from 2000 is the complete opposite, with amazing watercolor, pastel art and great, fast-paced storytelling. 1 star for the first story and 5 for the second. Recommended for fans of Black Widow.
July 1, 2022
Mostly no impact. Kind of sexist, especially in how the characters are drawn. Preferred the sequel storyline "Breakdown" which isn't collected in a tpb and has plenty of issues of its own but has a better art style.
December 16, 2021
Komiks bardzo przyjemny,ale zabrakło tego czegoś. Fajnie, że pojawia się w nim Yelena a kreska jest bardzo miła dla oka.
Read
July 16, 2021The first arc was okay, but that second arc... Really could have done without that
February 11, 2015
This trade collects two different Black Widow series, one from 1999 and the other from 2001.
In each of these, the Widow finds herself face to face with a younger woman from Russia who claims she is the proper holder of the Black Widow mantle.
In the first series, Nastasha and her counter part, Yelena, battle it out over a deadly toxin developed by an evil scientist and bandied about in a fictitious Middle Eastern country. Daredevil guest stars as both Russia and the United States race to see who will be the ones to pick up the pieces from the battle.
In the second series, Natasha and Yelena swap identities, although Yelena is not hip to the idea, in order to bring down a rogue Russian general who seeks some weapon hidden in the Hudson River valley. Also starring Daredevil, this tale is quite creepy and really makes the Widow seem a bit cruel. As a spy, she obviously has to make tough decisions all the time, but this one seems to go over the line, something Daredevil acknowledges.
The first is very much a typical comic book, with pretty comic book art, but he second is moodily drawn by Scott Hampton, with very nice washed out colors.
I want to give this three stars, but it just doesn't gel with me. It's well-written, well-drawn, but the overall story is a letdown, and collecting these two series in one book presents a rather unbalanced look at the life of the Widow herself.
In each of these, the Widow finds herself face to face with a younger woman from Russia who claims she is the proper holder of the Black Widow mantle.
In the first series, Nastasha and her counter part, Yelena, battle it out over a deadly toxin developed by an evil scientist and bandied about in a fictitious Middle Eastern country. Daredevil guest stars as both Russia and the United States race to see who will be the ones to pick up the pieces from the battle.
In the second series, Natasha and Yelena swap identities, although Yelena is not hip to the idea, in order to bring down a rogue Russian general who seeks some weapon hidden in the Hudson River valley. Also starring Daredevil, this tale is quite creepy and really makes the Widow seem a bit cruel. As a spy, she obviously has to make tough decisions all the time, but this one seems to go over the line, something Daredevil acknowledges.
The first is very much a typical comic book, with pretty comic book art, but he second is moodily drawn by Scott Hampton, with very nice washed out colors.
I want to give this three stars, but it just doesn't gel with me. It's well-written, well-drawn, but the overall story is a letdown, and collecting these two series in one book presents a rather unbalanced look at the life of the Widow herself.
February 4, 2017
This was a random pick from the local library. I'm not very familiar with the character (outside of movies), so I thought I'd take a quick lesson on who Black Widow really is. The experience was better than I expected. The first story introduces two Black Widows: Natasha Romanov and Yelena Belova. The latter is younger and more ambitious, ready to take Natasha's place by killing her while they are both hunting down a mysterious gas weapon that will turn normal people into monstrous killing machines. Rather forgettable, but entertaining story.
The second story is the better of the two. Natasha has decided to teach young Yelena a lesson and chooses the most convoluted method possible: switching their faces through surgery and rendering Yelena half-mad by making her believe that she's Natasha. All this while she's also hunting down lost nuclear missiles. It is a shame that such a crazy idea of a face swap was used for such a short (3 issue) story - it would have deserved a more reasonable backstory and bigger stakes to make it work better. But, still, combined with some actually great artwork by J.G. Jones, it is a good read.
The second story is the better of the two. Natasha has decided to teach young Yelena a lesson and chooses the most convoluted method possible: switching their faces through surgery and rendering Yelena half-mad by making her believe that she's Natasha. All this while she's also hunting down lost nuclear missiles. It is a shame that such a crazy idea of a face swap was used for such a short (3 issue) story - it would have deserved a more reasonable backstory and bigger stakes to make it work better. But, still, combined with some actually great artwork by J.G. Jones, it is a good read.
February 25, 2016
after reading the newer versions of black widow, this one is a little more spy and a lot less human. Does it make sense?
And what's up with Daredevil and her? iwannaknooooooow
And what's up with Daredevil and her? iwannaknooooooow
August 18, 2017
Waiting for the graphic novel that doesn't treat female characters like constant erotic butt models. The art was all over the place from beginning to end. Cover art makes the Black Widow look like Angelina Jolie. The storyline is nuts. (****Spoiler!****) Trading faces to save an enemy spy? Boo.
June 3, 2015
This was cool, Blonde Widow vs. Red Widow, hair that is, both ladies are Black widow, this was the ultimate in Spy Comics
July 7, 2021
Aunque el personaje de Viuda Negra estuvo ya unas cuantas décadas pululando por el Universo de Marvel cómics, no fue hasta finales de S.XX y comienzos del XXI cuando consiguió cabecera propia al amparo del sello Marvel Knights. Que ofrecía libertad para ofrecer historias más "adultas" (aquí surgió la etapa del Castigador de Garth Ennis, ya podéis haceros una idea de que me refiero sobre todo a violencia gráfica y el tratar sin reparos temas más espinosos para lo habitual en las aventuras pijameras) a lo habitual en la editorial. Así es como nos encontramos con el primer arco argumental que presenta una rápida historia de espionaje bastante simplón y lúdico con un supervirus de por medio (que la verdad es que está más elaborado de lo debido, es una pena que se utilice en una miniserie de apenas 3 números) y el eterno rifi rafe entre Rusia y Estados Unidos. Por supuesto lo que de verdad logra que la historia se suficientemente reseñable es la presentación de Yelena Belova. La nueva Viuda Negra surgida de la Sala Roja y obedeciendo fielmente las órdenes de la Madre Patria. Renegando de cómo Nat "olvidó" su pasado para abrazar los Estados Unidos y el estatus de super heroína y presentándose como la total sucesora del alias de Viuda Negra. No se me ocurre mejor reclamo para iniciar esta etapa en solitario del personaje. La cosa sube bastantes peldaños con el segundo arco argumental que sigue explorando la relación entre Nat y Yelena. Y lo hace mediante una trama que, aunque algo cogida por pinzas (y viéndose claramente la referencia e influencia, la peli de John Woo ya llevaba 4 años estrenada) en cuanto a las formas, se siente más apasionante en su búsqueda por explorar el tema del espionaje que la anterior. Un seco thriller sobre la identidad que cuenta con un particular diseño gráfico que logra hacer aún más especial esta miniserie.
No es el inicio de carrera en solitario más espectacular de todos. Pero desde luego cumple y funciona a la hora de alejarse bastante de la fanfarria superheroica cuando el personaje cruza caminos ya sea con los Vengadores, los Campeones o cualquier supergrupo o super ser de Marvel Cómics y demuestra que ante todo es una eficaz super espía más a gusto oculta en la oscuridad y la red de mentiras que conforma su particular y turbio mundo.
No es el inicio de carrera en solitario más espectacular de todos. Pero desde luego cumple y funciona a la hora de alejarse bastante de la fanfarria superheroica cuando el personaje cruza caminos ya sea con los Vengadores, los Campeones o cualquier supergrupo o super ser de Marvel Cómics y demuestra que ante todo es una eficaz super espía más a gusto oculta en la oscuridad y la red de mentiras que conforma su particular y turbio mundo.
January 28, 2021
Collects two Black Widow miniseries: Itsy-Bitsy Spider 1-3 from 1999 and Breakdown 1-3 from 2001.
These stories have some connecting points but they’re very different in both plotting and art.
The first miniseries is drawn in a very conventional 1990s superhero style with skintight constumes and lots of ass and tit shots.
Both US and Russia send Natasha to Rhapastan to locate and destroy a deadly gas that first makes its victims murderous and then ages them until they die. The big complication is young Yelena Belowa who is willing graduated from the ”Red Room”. She’s a patriotic Russian and wants to become the real Black Widow, by killing Natasha, of course. Natasha is concerned with keeping the young woman alive and showing her the error of the ways while making sure nobody will get the gas.
In this timeline, Nat is in her fifties but the super soldier serum keeps her young. She’s dating Daredevil who appears in the story.
The second story isn’t a typic superhero story and the art is also very different with almost watercolor like colors.
Nat decides to make it brutally clear to Yelena just what a life as a spy means. To do that, Nick Fury helps her. In a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, doctors make Nat look like Yelena and Yelena look like Nat. Shield also helps put Yelena to Nat’s life. Yelena quickly becomes very confused. Nat also does some spy stuff, too.
This was very unusual story, in the spirit of the Face/Off movie.
This gives a rather strange view of Natasha. It’s an OK collection but very clearly made in 1990s.
These stories have some connecting points but they’re very different in both plotting and art.
The first miniseries is drawn in a very conventional 1990s superhero style with skintight constumes and lots of ass and tit shots.
Both US and Russia send Natasha to Rhapastan to locate and destroy a deadly gas that first makes its victims murderous and then ages them until they die. The big complication is young Yelena Belowa who is willing graduated from the ”Red Room”. She’s a patriotic Russian and wants to become the real Black Widow, by killing Natasha, of course. Natasha is concerned with keeping the young woman alive and showing her the error of the ways while making sure nobody will get the gas.
In this timeline, Nat is in her fifties but the super soldier serum keeps her young. She’s dating Daredevil who appears in the story.
The second story isn’t a typic superhero story and the art is also very different with almost watercolor like colors.
Nat decides to make it brutally clear to Yelena just what a life as a spy means. To do that, Nick Fury helps her. In a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, doctors make Nat look like Yelena and Yelena look like Nat. Shield also helps put Yelena to Nat’s life. Yelena quickly becomes very confused. Nat also does some spy stuff, too.
This was very unusual story, in the spirit of the Face/Off movie.
This gives a rather strange view of Natasha. It’s an OK collection but very clearly made in 1990s.
June 16, 2021
I've been a fan of the Black Widow for ages, and I remember reading these stories when they came out around twenty years ago. I ran across this combined volume, and figured I'd re-read them and see what I thought now.
The first half was really quite good, and deals with a different version of some of the story that looks like it will be in the new Black Widow movie. The idea that much of Natasha's past is pretty iffy is something we've been told before, but to have another product of the same program come after her for her "transgressions" was pretty startling at the time.
The second story, though...kind of went astray. It felt like there was an interesting story buried in it, but not clear enough to enjoy. I had trouble believing that Belova was being driven as crazy as what seemed to be happening, or that the "Face Off" gimmick worked as well as it seemed to. That said, I liked at least some of the writing, even if the second half was rough around the edges, and the different art styles in the two halves were an interesting contrast. J. G. Jones was more traditional, and Hampton created a mood better suited to the second story.
So, I liked this volume but didn't love it. That was pretty much how I remembered the stories, but I think my feelings toward the second one were a bit more negative on re-reading it, because I just felt it could have been better.
The first half was really quite good, and deals with a different version of some of the story that looks like it will be in the new Black Widow movie. The idea that much of Natasha's past is pretty iffy is something we've been told before, but to have another product of the same program come after her for her "transgressions" was pretty startling at the time.
The second story, though...kind of went astray. It felt like there was an interesting story buried in it, but not clear enough to enjoy. I had trouble believing that Belova was being driven as crazy as what seemed to be happening, or that the "Face Off" gimmick worked as well as it seemed to. That said, I liked at least some of the writing, even if the second half was rough around the edges, and the different art styles in the two halves were an interesting contrast. J. G. Jones was more traditional, and Hampton created a mood better suited to the second story.
So, I liked this volume but didn't love it. That was pretty much how I remembered the stories, but I think my feelings toward the second one were a bit more negative on re-reading it, because I just felt it could have been better.
September 22, 2021
2,5/5. After seeing “Black Widow”, for awhile now, I wondered how other possible portrayal Natasha could’ve besides MCU. Especially because I still think about how entertaining the film was. Nevertheless, its flaws are very similar to this comic’s.
It contains two arc, one written in 1999 and another in 2001. The first started strong by showing Natasha in a high stake mission but wrapped up very blandly. Regarding the second, I hated everything on it. Mostly the nonsensical “changing face to teach a lesson “ plot.
For me, Black Widow(Natasha Romanoff herself, not the label) is very underwhelming. Because she’s an interesting background and, in this particular comic, they brought a cool idea about who’s allow to be a hero. However any sort of Natasha’s lore always end. up being used in the most convoluted and uninteresting way. Which is unfortunate considering this happened in the MCU as well.
It contains two arc, one written in 1999 and another in 2001. The first started strong by showing Natasha in a high stake mission but wrapped up very blandly. Regarding the second, I hated everything on it. Mostly the nonsensical “changing face to teach a lesson “ plot.
For me, Black Widow(Natasha Romanoff herself, not the label) is very underwhelming. Because she’s an interesting background and, in this particular comic, they brought a cool idea about who’s allow to be a hero. However any sort of Natasha’s lore always end. up being used in the most convoluted and uninteresting way. Which is unfortunate considering this happened in the MCU as well.
July 7, 2019
Questo volume raccoglie le prime due miniserie dedicate alla nuova Vedova Nera, la bionda Yelena Belova (e non posso non pensare che il suo patronimico sia stato scelto apposta per il doppio senso che in inglese può generare). La prima ha la parte grafica ottima e la storia niente di che, la seconda ha una gran bella storia con dei disegni a malapena sufficienti. Nel complesso, raccolte in unico volume, sono una buona lettura.
Due vedove nere, la bionda contro la rossa, la nuova contro la classica. Al di là di tutto io ho sempre preferito Natasha e trovo che Yelena (a parte l'antipatia che mi evoca) sia semplicemente una copia uscita male, oltre che un personaggio un poco scomodo da usare nell'universo Marvel.
Due vedove nere, la bionda contro la rossa, la nuova contro la classica. Al di là di tutto io ho sempre preferito Natasha e trovo che Yelena (a parte l'antipatia che mi evoca) sia semplicemente una copia uscita male, oltre che un personaggio un poco scomodo da usare nell'universo Marvel.
July 31, 2019
It's not a bad storyline. My main problem with it, and most other comics focusing on females, is how sexualized they draw the characters. Black Widow's strength isn't in being sexualized. Yes, she wears a skin tight unitard, yes, she's clearly female, but it just seems to me the artists often forget that's not how they draw the men.
That said, I picked this up as I wanted to know more about Yelena before the solo movie next year. I'm just gonna say I really hope the MCU portrays her differently then this does because if she's the next Black Widow, then I'm out. She comes across as whiny and annoying.
That said, I picked this up as I wanted to know more about Yelena before the solo movie next year. I'm just gonna say I really hope the MCU portrays her differently then this does because if she's the next Black Widow, then I'm out. She comes across as whiny and annoying.
September 22, 2022
To jest tytuł dla fanów Czarnych Wdów, gdyż można tu zobaczyć zarówno Nataszę, jaki i Yelenę, które akurat tu działają przeciwko sobie. W tle zimno wojenne zagrywki amerykańsko-rosyjskie o tajemniczy specyfik, który wzmaga w człowieku furię, więc ten atakuje najbliższe osoby. Jeden minus takiego suplementu - dosłownie wysusza on osobę, której to zaaplikowano.
Więcej o fabule nie trzeba zamieszczać, bo to trzy krótkie zeszyty, na szczęście wypełnione akcją i wyglądające naprawdę dobrze, jak na 1999 rok. W ramach niezobowiązującej rozrywki dla fana postaci. Resztę może już niekoniecznie zainteresować.
Więcej o fabule nie trzeba zamieszczać, bo to trzy krótkie zeszyty, na szczęście wypełnione akcją i wyglądające naprawdę dobrze, jak na 1999 rok. W ramach niezobowiązującej rozrywki dla fana postaci. Resztę może już niekoniecznie zainteresować.
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