Duck Fox

For all the hype surrounding Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto’s splendid Black Widow solo series, it seems like it’s going to slide into being harmlessly good fun instead of something that really transcends the medium. If this second issue of Natasha Romanov’s ongoing title is the template for future issues, then there’s nothing particularly exciting about the series. 

This issue concerns Natasha taking a job for an old friend who’s searching for his missing comrade, later revealed to be his son. The old friend, known only as “Mr. Lin,” is an old Chinese man whose unknown connection to Natasha makes him see her as the perfect candidate for a hunt and rescue mission. Widow naturally tracks Mr. Lin's son's location to a boat and heads in to rescue him from his kidnappers. Only it turns out to be a setup by the brother of one of her past targets. Meanwhile Isaiah, Black Widow’s lawyer and money manager, is confronted by a mysterious businessman who is trying to track down the Black Widow. Isaiah refuses him the information without a subpoena, and has one of his workers put a bug in the man’s car as he exits. 

Meanwhile in China, after finding Mr. Lin dead, Black Widow finally confronts the man who set her up: the Iron Scorpion. Apparently he had a brother originally known by this name and, six years ago, Black Widow assassinated him. But not before he pulled the trigger on some poor sop because she hesitated behind her sniper rifle. Widow makes it clear she doesn’t regret killing Iron Scorpion's brother, though she kind of wishes she hadn't hesitated. That particular comment leads to an expertly illustrated action sequence ending with a grievously injured Iron Scorpion escaping.

Widow returns to New York and gets an earful from Isaiah for her trouble. Of course, Isaiah has had a rough day as well, since he had to take out a consortium of goons discussing kidnapping and/or murdering him to get under Natasha’s skin. I’m pretty sure he’s the best lawyer in the history of lawyers. Then again, all lawyers are probably proficient at murder...

The issue closes with Natasha wearily reflecting on the day’s tactical errors, and, determined not to continue with the string of mistakes, turning the black cat she fed in the previous issue away. It’s all a well organized, tension filled romp, but it’s hardly the kind of thing that’ll make you look twice. The issue’s theme—Natasha’s bad judgment when it comes to helping people she cares about—isn’t fully explored. We see her make a series of mistakes and errors in judgment, but she never really sees the negative consequences. Unless you count the flesh wound she receives while facing down the Iron Scorpion. Indeed the fact that the Iron Scorpion was such a bad dude immediately eliminates any sympathy for his brother, and it's understandable that a younger Natasha would hesitate before taking him out. The art continues to be amazing, however, with the light red outlines perfectly complimenting the soft colors. The muddied aesthetic and light colors are striking in the best possible way. As for story issues, well, the book is only just getting started so it certainly has room to become something more memorable, but for now it’s an enjoyable dive into the world of our favorite ex-KGB heroine without the ingenuity or excitement needed to make it a true hit.