Black Cat, Vol. 1: Grand Theft Marvel

Black Cat by Jed Mackay

by Jed MacKay, Travel Foreman;Nao Fuji (Illustrator)

The Black Cat is back! Felicia Hardy has a taste for the finer things in life and a certain set of skills that can get her into any mansion, vault or museum to...procure said finer things. But Felicia's on the run from the New York Thieves Guild and their boss, Odessa Drake! Prepare for high-octane heists, climactic chases and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Felicia Hardy prides herself on being able to break into anywhere...but does that include Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum? And can she handle what's inside? In a place of magic where any wrong turn might mean death, it will take an insane amount of luck just to get out alive. But how much luck will it take to get out alive - with the loot? COLLECTING: BLACK CAT 1-6

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

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was high octane fun!



Alright, now that I've finally got the numbering straight, I can see why this was such a big hit when it came out. And if you were grabbing these issues off the shelves every Wednesday, then you wouldn't have had the problem that I did. However, if you're just now getting around to Mackay's Black Cat and reading them digitally in single-issue form (like I am) then you may want to pay attention to the release date, as this run contains not ONE but two Black Cat #1 issues. That's right. For whatever reason, the powers that be at Marvel decided to restart the numbering (same character, same author) after issue #12. So, Volume 4 is also a Black Cat #1 issue.



Ok, ok! I'll shut up about it.
The gist of this is that Felicia's mentor shows back up in town and wants her and her crew to help him with one last heist.
The Big One.
They're going to steal the unstealable.
But first, they'll have to rob some heavy-hitters, including Doctor Strange & the Fantastic Four.



I've never really looked twice at Black Cat. I always thought of her as a Catwoman knock-off who used to bang Spider-man every now and then. But now?
I'm a fan!



Mackay is one to watch and so, apparently, is Felicia Hardy.
Recommended!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Felicia Hardy! The Black Cat! High alert - all points, eyes on female, mid-20's, white hair, black dress." -- Sonny, security man# 1, broadcasting a 'be-on-the-lookout'

"Add 'stunner.'" -- Kevin, security man# 2, leaning over Sonny's shoulder

"(sigh) 'Stunner.'" -- Sonny

Irreverent and irrelevant action-comedy that shadows the alluring snow-haired minx - often seen causing grief and/or heartache for the title character in The Amazing Spider-Man - as she carries out a trio of difficult heists in New York City. (Although said famous wall-crawler appears on the cover art he is not involved at all in this narrative.) It's all carried out in the manner of a lightweight romp - although the middle segment, where Black Cat and crew burgle Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, sort of wears out its welcome with piling on of magic-oriented ridiculousness - and it's one of those rare graphic novels where a villain (or a very cunning villainess, in this instance) has a starring role. The finale - involving a theft at the Fantastic Four's headquarters, and guest-starring an infatuated Human Torch and a hilariously annoyed Invisible Woman - produces the most chuckles. The illustration styles are all over the place in terms of quality, however, from good to unexceptional.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what comics should be, a whole lot of fun. The story follows Black Cat and her crew as she goes around robbing Manhattan. There is a larger play they are gearing up to with the Black Fox. For now they are requiring what they need breaking in to Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum (So much fun!) and the Fantastic Four's headquarters, 4 Yancy Street. If you like heist stories, this is the book for you.

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny hilarious read, gorgeous art, the author totally nailed Felicia's character and the Snoopy easter-egg at the ending of the Sancta Sanctorum storyline made me laugh to tears.



Sadly the cast of supporting characters was far less interesting for me than famous Marvel heroes and villains guests starring in this volume.



J. Scott Campbell's covers rounded up final vote to full four stars.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Er, hi... I'm Paul and I... have a Felicia Hardy problem.

You see, the first US comicbook I ever read (OK, it was actually a UK reprint, but let's not split hairs) was an issue of Spider-Man featuring the Black Cat. As well as cementing my lifelong addiction to comicbooks, Felicia Hardy woke something in my seven-year-old self that has stayed with me just as long, if you know what I mean. Er… a-hem. Moving swiftly on.

I am always delighted whenever the Black Cat shows up in a Marvel book, doubly so if they handle her well (which they don't always... yes, I'm looking at you Mr. Slott) and if she actually gets her own book for a while? Ding-ding-ding-ding!

This being said, my fire was somewhat piddled on when I saw the overly cheesecakey covers; I immediately thought 'Oh, this is going to be one of those books'.

How wrong I was!

Moving past the unfortunate cover art, inside the book I find the fantastic illustrative talents of Travel Foreman, whose work I absolutely adore. He draws Felicia like a real woman, rather than a collection of balloons squeezed into a PVC catsuit.

What about the story, though? Well, Jed MacKay, a writer I am coming to really like, gets Felicia absolutely spot on, obviously knows her history, obviously loves her as much as I do, also knows the Marvel Universe inside out and just bangs out a fantastic story that has me gagging for more!

In a tasteful, respectful way, obviously.

Volume 1 was absolutely amazing for a Felicia Fan like myself and I can't wait to see where this goes in Volume 2! (I also can't believe a Black Cat solo book even got as far as a second volume...)

[Khurram · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok comic collection. There was nothing bad about this comic, apart from the cover gallery at the beginning of each chapter and at the book.

I did like the heist style of the comic, I particularly liked the first story arc more that the last 2 chapters/issues. Spider-man is not in this comic and I think that was a great idea as it gives Felicia a chance to develop her own character and crew.

I think I wanted to like this comic more than I actually did. It was not not really anything I did not like about the story, but nothing I loved which tipped it to ok for me. I think the final decision makes was did ibwang to get the next volume? The fact that I had to think about it let me know.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Review: Still same exact feelings. Super fun though the original graphic novel description had issue 6 as part of this volume but this ends with the Fantastic four storyline. However still super fun, love Felicia is written here, her crew is excellent comedy bits, and the art is real solid even if sometimes weird faces. Overall, if like adventure, comedy, and a bit of sexiness, this is a must read. It's also Jed Writing, and he's on his king writing shit currently.


Old Review: A real fun adventure starring Black Cat who I never cared about before now.

The first half is the highlight with getting to learn Black Cat and her gang on top of going into Dr. Strange's home. This is the funniest parts and also most intriguing. The next storyline with Fantastic Four is still fun but is missing the mystery charm of the previous arc. The final one issue arc revolves around Felica going on a date while her father is trying to survive being chased around town.

I think for me to get on board with a Black Cat series you have to make the characters enjoyable and that is what Mackay did. I didn't love all of it but I was enjoying it the whole time reading it. I'd probably give it a 3.5 but I'll bump it to a 4 for being surprised on how much I enjoyed it.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most Marvel books these days, I took one look at Black Cat and thought 'This won't make it past 12 issues, no matter how good it is.' And while I'm hoping to be proven wrong on the former, I'm pleasantly surprised by just how good it actually is.

Writer Jed Mackay seamlessly picks up Felicia's character arc after her recent heel turn/face turn, and run-in with the Thieves Guild from the last few volumes of Amazing Spider-Man and a new crew, a new mission, and that new character sheen that she hasn't had in a long time. For too long Felicia's been in Spider-Man's shadow, and it's about time she struck out on her own for her own adventures.

Which are pretty good fun, it turns out. From a trip to the Sanctum Sanctorum to a run through the Baxter Building, plus some vampires, and Odessa Drake (because of course), these five issues are as varied as they are enjoyable, and they have a through-line that links them together nicely. There's a joy to Felicia that I love, and I also really enjoy the friends that Mackay has given her - they're not a lot more than caricatures of the usual heist types, but they're good foils/accomplices for the Cat, and they keep the action flowing nicely too.

On art for the most part is Travel Foreman, who I didn't think would suit the book, but he absolutely does. His spindly characters are the exact type of lithe and agile that Felicia needs to be, and whether it's the mind-bending dimension jumping in the Sanctum Sanctorum issues or the Negative Zone invaders of the Fantastic Four ones, he shines.

Black Cat's stolen my interest - let's hope she can steal enough sales to get her over the usual Marvel hump. If it was a quality question alone, she'd be running for years on this first arc.

[Rylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was amazing (no pun intended). Black Cat is one of my favorite marvel characters and it was about time that she got her own book. Nick Spencer did a great job fixing up her status quo after Slott ruined her for a bit. I’m glad this series follows what Spencer set up for her and expands on it. The story is a lot of fun Felicia goes on heists with her crew at some of the most iconic marvel places. There’s also some interesting stuff going on with the thief’s guild. It’s a great book and definitely deserves attention. Only downside is the art which brought down my rating a star, if it was better this easily would’ve been five stars. The writing is good enough to distract from it

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as the singles were coming out. Figured I’d drop a score for the trade since I really enjoyed this.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to see that Black Cat finally has her own series! So this book follows Black Cat on a series of heists around the marvel universe. The book definitely goes for a light-hearted approach with some comedy thrown in. Some of the parts were very funny and made me laugh a lot! Overall though, its an okay series, but nothing great. The covers by J. Scott Campbell are nice, but the interior art isn't really my cup of tea.

[Glen Farrelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Black Cat's run on Spider-Man back a long time ago, so I was excited to see her get her own series. Yes, the cat burglar who is a cat-costumed heroine / villainess is played out already thanks to DC's Catwoman. But I didn't read this expecting originality, just looking for fun enjoyable reading, which this series delivers.

In this series, Black Cat is on her own. Sans Spidey, Black Cat is back to her thieving ways, but (as with Catwoman) she has a heart of gold.

As with various Catwoman storylines, this overarching story deals with a big caper. However, each issue has its own story that involves Black Cat and her crew stealing from other Marvel characters. The overall heist storyline needs to be better developed (certainly not as good as "Catwoman: Selina's Big Score" by fellow Torontonian Darwyn Cooke), but the story and art are thoroughly enjoyable (and MUCH BETTER than the dreadful Catwoman Copycats series, see my review.

This was a lot of fun, but not entirely memorable. I'll pick up subsequent issues in the series when I'm looking for more escapist past times.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okayish volume. Its basically starts off with Felicia looting but she meets Odessa Drake her arch nemesis and her mentor the black fox and more stuff like that, we get the latter's back story and how he is connected to the Hardy family and we have Felicia stealing stuff from the museum, crazy adventures in Sanctum Sanctorum and facing off against Xander the merciless which was fun and then the thing with F4 and Johnny and Blastaar and how she and her crew fight that guy off, and its non sensical but crazy fun with strange references meanwhile a large story is being built in the background. Also the art is pretty average could do with some inking and the colors are too bright. The writing is sub standard but I feel like it will read better with future volumes. And the characterization of Felicia is awesome.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun caper book. Black Cat is a professional thief at odds with the local thieves' guild. Her mentor returns with plans for a grand heist that requires her help to pull off. The story doesn't resolve in this volume, but I enjoyed it anyway.

McCay takes a light tone with the writing. Despite being criminals, Black Cat and her crew are fun to root for. And I really enjoyed seeing aspects of the Marvel Universe–Dr. Strange, the Fantastic Four--from a different perspective. The theft from Dr. Strange's mansion was one of my favorite parts of the whole book.

This was every bit as light, enjoyable, and entertaining as a Black Cat comic book should be. Recommended!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story and character and supporting cast won me over. A fun little exploration into who Black Cat is.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I guess? To pass the time.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's just a fun read.

[Mike Priestland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything I expected it to be Irrelevant, funny, low brow escapism. Ticks the boxes for me.

Black cat and her crew encounter so many Marvel characters that it almost seems more comic booky than a comic should.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Come on, boys, let's go rip off Dr. Strange," is pretty much what you need to know about this book.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just getting into marvel comics don't know much about Black Cat this was really good!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kitty hates “this kitty got claws” bullshit. Modern burglar of the XX persuasion, moral code and no fucks to give about the idiots in her way.

Felicia Hardy is a character who walks a fine line between self-possessed and absolutely confident, and constantly getting herself in scrapes and sexy poses. It’s a little unnerving really - and this book spends all its time staring into those unnerving eyes, making sure we see all shades of grey in that black catsuit.

It’s highly self-reflective, and is a solo book that keeps its cast of also-rans close enough to hold up a mirror to what Black Cat does so well: assess, slink, purloin.

I’m sure glad Marvel has abandoned the “angry mafia queen” storyline - that was boring and a little derivative - but this? This book spends all its time meditating on the life of this sly thief.

And only spends its covers (J Scott Campbell, will you ever grow out of your Amanda Conner phase?) drooling over Felicia. At least the interiors are reasonably respectful, if a little scratchy (can the art team please decide whether they want perfectly smooth or ragged edges, and flat or airbrushed colouring?)

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of Felicia Hardy a.k.a the Black Cat. While some think of her as derivative of Catwoman, she's always been more fun and openly cheerful about her thievery. This book is probably her best one as we see her team up with two new henchman and C-list Spider-Man foe, the Black Fox, to steal from X-men villains the Thieves Guild. It's surprisingly awesome as they rob Doctor Strange and the Fantastic Four as part of their plans to do the ultimate heist. The art is beautiful and Felicia is at her best, coquettish and charming.

I mean it has her team up with a ghostly basset hound who mistakes her for Silver Sable. What's not to love?

[Des Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad there's a new Black Cat series. I loved her in Defenders, and Felicia ripping off Doc Strange was very fitting. It's heist stuff, but MacKay makes sure it's MARVEL heist stuff. It keeps things interesting, with unique marks and all kinds of Marvel twists and turns. Her crew is great, and the book is pretty funny. I'm about it.

[danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

OBSESSED

[Rama | RamaRambles · Rating 5 out of 5]

she's so bad ass and pretty like hello

[Nate Deprey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Run of the mill story but I liked the art a lot more than I thought I would. Travel Foreman is clearly having fun rendering the Sanctum Sanctorum and Baxter Building in this collection and while Black Cat still has it's cheese cake moments Foreman gives the charecter an Amanda Seyfried if she was in Ocean's Eleven vibe I really liked.

[RG · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light hearted heist style comic. Throws in some comedy but this series wont set the world on fire. Fun though

[Iris Nevers · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Read in single issues]

[bri 🧸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

wait no cause im obsessed with black cat <3

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a whole lot to like about this, particularly the artwork by Travel Foreman. So why didn't I like it more? Kind of a "meh" storyline, to be honest.