Black Widow #8

Black Widow (2016) (Single Issues)

by Mark Waid, Chris Samnee, Matt Wilson (Colorist)

DARK ROOM FIELD TRIP! Students of the DARK ROOM — the successor of the Red Room — are making their way into the world. One young assassin has her sights set on a VERY high profile target. There's no shortage of men prepared to stop her, and BLACK WIDOW will have to fight them all to save her.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

29 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Ash Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first superhero comic that I’ve read. I love Black Widow in general, she’s awesome. I really love the art style in this, and the color scheme was incredibly consistent which I admire. It was shorter than I realized, and I’m praying that the internet has more to offer.


Edit: After rereading this comic with the context of the first ones in Waid’s series, it makes a lot more sense and I enjoyed it more.

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uatu?!?!?!

[Mr. Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much collateral damage for my most delicate of sensibilities.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot twist at the ending :O

[Marisa Carpico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man this is consistently one of the best spy comics I've ever read. Can't believe I know the end point now.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im in love with this storyline

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 Great Things About Black Widow #8

1. It opens with one of the Headmistress's child assassins. She is as creepy as heck, and I love it. I love children who are trained to kill. Does that make me weird? Quite possibly.

2. Nat's extremely limited knowledge of American history. The Weeping Lion is literally no help in this, and she gets schooled by a little girl. Yikes!

3. Action sequence between our favorite deadly assassin and a child assassin! Action sequence between our favorite deadly assassin and a child assassin! ACTION SEQUENCE! *cues action movie music and fight sounds*

4. Plot twist! More than one child assassin? I LOVE IT!

5. That little girl's desperate speech: "I am not scared of you. I am scared only of Headmistress. She trained me since birth. She sent me here from Dark Room to kill your vice president to delay Key Treaty. I cannot fail her."

6. Natasha gently trying to help this kid whose life she has lived, who she so strongly identifies with. She could have just killed this girl and ended the threat, but she wanted to help her instead. I think that shows great character growth on Nat's part.

7. SHIELD ruining everything but helping a bit in the end? I'm not sure. That was unclear to me. There was another great action sequence there though.

8. What is up with the Weeping Lion? Why is his cousin watching over all those little girls? I knew that sassy teenager had some other game going here.

9. Natasha reassuring the Weeping Lion (and herself) that she has done what is best for these girls, that SHIELD will take care of them and make sure they're alright.

10. The epic cliffhanger that this issue ends on? Is Nat going to the moon? Is that where this is going? Will Bucky be in the next issue? So many questions.

[Zoë Birss · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the realm of mainstream superhero comics, this is the best title on the shelf right now. I'm convinced we will see some of these pages in a standalone Black Widow film within three years.

[margaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

prettiest cover ever