Advance Review: Iron Cat #1 (of 5)

One of the travesties of the Marvel Comics universe is that the fantastically fun Black Cat was cancelled! After cancelling the books I like such as, the aforementioned Black Cat, Spider-Woman and Mockingbird, maybe Marvel fans should be worried if I start reading any of the X-books on a regular basis!

Felicia is doing that which she is best at; heisting the impossible. In this cares it is a possibly demon haunted super diamond. She is rudely interrupted by a figure from her past, her own Iron Cat armour. Couple of snags though, one she isn’t wearing the armour and two, Tony Stark has done what he does best; improve tech, Of course these aren’t going to stop Felicia, are they?

Along with Felicia’s return, Jed MacKay returns as writer. This means that fans of the previous book will appreciate the humour and setups that McKay provides. Having a writer that is familiar with the character is a blessing; MacKay has worked the hardest to give Felicia a more prominent role in the Marvel universe, through a number of interactions without losing the charm that appealed in the first place. MacKay’s time away, working on the mystic side of Marvel has not diminished the fun quota. There is a bit of a MacKay trope in play, but when you having this much fun is that really a problem?

Pere Pérez, fresh of the recent cancelled Spider-Woman book, provides the pencils for this book. I remember Pérez way back when he was on the pre-Flashpoint Batgirl book and have been enjoying his work on Spider-Woman. I will say that, with all things considered, this art is probably some of his best. Pérez has to deal with current Felicia, flashback Felicia and of course suits of armour and he manages each aspect well and there is a good sense of energy and dynamism throughout the book. Colors are supplied by Frank D’Armata who uses the current Marvel style for the most part, I did enjoy the different look he gave the flashback elements. VC’s Ariana Maher drops a fun font; I really enjoyed the “mumbling” Felicia. There are a raft of covers to choose from, it is buyers choices for me. I recently applauded Marvel for including the letter on the cover credits on Amazing Spider-Man; why therefor is Maher missing of this book?

If you have read my reviews before or listened to the No Prize Podcast, you will know how much of a fan I am when it comes to Jed MacKay. I am very please to have him back on a Black Cat book, even if it is only for five issues. Marvel have returned a fun, in an organic way, and pacy book back to the racks.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; Jed MacKay
Art by’ Pere Pérez
Colors by; Frank D’Armata
Letters by; VC’s Ariana Maher
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network