Black Widow #10 - Marvel Comics

BLACK WIDOW No. 10, October 2021

Somewhat succinctly drawing to a close Kelly Thompson’s four-part storyline “I Am The Black Widow”, this twenty-page periodical’s plot certainly seems to do a good job of providing each member of its ever-growing line-up with plenty of ‘moments in the sun’. In fact, one of this comic’s greatest draws is its pulse-pounding coverage of “the Widows” violent confrontation with Apogee’s superhuman forces, during which Natasha Romanoff, Yelena Belova, Anya Corazon and (even the newly-arrived) Katherine Bishop are seem showing off their various special powers to the best of their abilities.

Enjoyably however, it isn’t just this book’s leading cast though who heavily feature in the defeat of the Olio’s cult-like leader, but the likes of the somewhat conceited Craig and haplessly headstrong Lucy too. These two former members of North California’s aspiring criminal organisation are a good example of the American author demonstrating that brains will consistently overcome brawn if given enough time, even if the electrically-charged Lucy is ultimately required to ‘tap into her deadly man-made gift’ so as to provide the titular character with a much-needed breather; “Taste of your own medicine, jackass. Feels cool to be dosed with something against your will, right?”

In addition, the Eisner Award-winner doesn’t fall into the trap of ending her narrative with a sickly-sweet conclusion either, preferring instead to show that there comes a cost to living the high-octane life of a meta-human, even one who has crossed back over to the side of justice. Admittedly, Lucy’s inability to now turn off her decidedly deadly touch smacks somewhat of the curse which befell the X-Man, Rogue, forty years ago. Yet the young girl’s plight still generates an intriguing attitude in some of Apogee’s antidote-affected brethren, who disconcertingly seem to feel that the woman is somehow blessed now she can “never touch anyone flesh to flesh… without hurting them” rather than cursed.

Undeniably helping this book bound along at an enjoyable pace are artists Elena Casagrande and Rafael De Latorre. The aforementioned double-splash action sequence depicting the Black and White Widows, along with Spider-Girl, is genuinely awe-inspiring, with Belova also providing a ‘laugh out loud’ moment as she ‘thwacks’ an assailant straight in the mouth whilst lecturing her battered attackers that they should be thanking her for helping them.

The regular cover art of "BLACK WIDOW" #10 by Adam Hughes