Review: Black Cat Annual #1
When the Peter MJ relationship was given new life in Amazing Spider-Man, under the watchful plotting and scribing of Nick Spencer, there was talk of wedding bells, especially given as there was a ring kicking around unbeknownst to MJ prior to her setting off for Hollywood. With all that in mind, the Marvel fans on Twitter almost had ‘ahem’ kittens when the cover of this first ever Black Cat annual hit, as it features the wedding of Spider-Man and Black Cat?
Those who have been following the adventures of Miss Hardy in her regular series know that there is always an ulterior motive in play. Felicia, it seems, has more plans than Batman! Here, there is an elaborate ruse to rob the Maggia and set free two lovers who were doomed to a fight to the death to supplicate the Montagues and Capulets leanings of their respective crime families. So how did Black Cat manage to make an almost dishonest man of her Spider? You will need to read the book to find out!
Regular series writer Jed MacKay, having spent time with a range of potential men for Felicia, including Batroc and Johnny Storm, finally gets to write Cat and Spider; and what a joy it is. The playful Cat is a great fit for the wise-cracking almost self-deprecating Spider, their chemistry is vibrant, almost palatable. It is the sort of easy going familiarity that I feel has been missing from Peter and MJ; here both Cat and Spider are equal, no more so evident than in the “who saves who” scenes. This Black Cat feels a little different. In the murky past, she may have loved Spider, but she disliked Peter a lot. Now it feels that she sees both Spider and Peter as whole; could this be a love triangle in the making? Whilst that would make for a good drama, somewhere along the line, someone will lose. MJ may be Peter’s love of his life, but Black Cat may well remain his temptation.
The art features a trio of artists, who cater for the three aspects of the story. Firstly we have Joey Vazquez who is on Felicia and Peter duty, Natacha Bustos supplies the art for Bruno with Juan Geddeon on Dr. Korpse.  I am guessing that there is a reason for art by committee, possibly a deadline. Vazquez draws a gorgeous Black Cat. Under his pencils, Black Cat is curvy, lithe, flirty and athletic. The body language between thief and hero is well observed, with open stances showing the trust and attraction they have for each other. Geddeon and Bustos do well to carry the same kind vibe into their respective pages, meaning that there is very little downgrade in quality. I do wonder if a house style for the book was formulated, hence the similarities. Brian Reber provides a color scheme that covers both the lighter moments as well as the well choreographed fight scenes in the catacombs. Finally letterer Ferran Delgado uses a font that is as easy to follow as the fine Vazquez pencils. Throw in yet another beautiful J Scott. Campbell cover and you have the complete package.
The Black Cat series is showing how strong a character Felicia is, in both attitude, competence and lifestyle. Her regular book is a fun read from the get go. I am at a loss as to how Marvel can produce such an enjoyable book and yet fail so miserably with Black Widow. To be honest, that’s Marvel’s conundrum to solve. For me, Black Cat is one of the books that I look forward to most every month.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars
Overall – 5 Stars
Written by Jed MacKay
Art by; Joey Vazquez, Natacha Bustos and Juan Geddeon
Colors by; Brian Reber
Letters by; Ferran Delgado
Published by; Marvel Worldwide
Author Profile
- 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
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