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BLACK WIDOW
#6 |
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Comic Review by:
"Sweet" Dan Sweet |
Writer:
Duane Swierczynski |
Artist:
Manuel Garcia |
Shipped on:
092210 |
Publisher:
Marvel Comics |
MSRP:
$2.99 |
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(15% OFF during it's 1st Week of release only at Alternate Reality!)
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“...probably the most intense jumping-on point I’ve experienced in my
comic-reading experience so far this year...”
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So I flip-flopped? What’s it to ya? I was GOING TO
pick “Thor” #615, but honestly, I think readers are going to get beaten over the
head with enough thunder-god stuff to last a life-time this year (see the Marvel
Solicits for December), so I went in another direction with this month’s “Book
of the Month”. Fraction and Ferry will garner themselves enough praise; I
thought I’d highlight something that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy as much as I
did, and “Black Widow” by Swierczynski and Garcia is the shot in the arm that my
comic-buying experience needed.
It’s sheer coincidence that Midnight Star’s “Midas Touch” is playing in the
background as I get started on this review, because as of late, and I have to be
honest, it feels like Duane Swierczynski might be THAT guy. No, not the guy
whose greed led to his own tragic downfall, but rather the guy whose point of
view reinvigorates a character that I considered to be, at best, a throw away.
“Black Widow” #6 is probably the most intense jumping-on point I’ve experienced
in my comic-reading experience so far this year, and it’s earned its place in my
heart for many a reason.
From the beautifully simple cover, which immediately attacked my sensibility
with regard to the latest assault of converted-to-3D films inciting a great deal
of adamant distrust, yet it won me over as soon as I read its first page. I
found “Black Widow” #6 to be an unearthed gem amongst a rather mundane
assortment of releases this week; it’s rare that I discover a character with
such a rich history in a title that hasn’t received the acclaim that other
similar titles have been lavished in. A damn shame, if you ask me…
As soon as you hit page two you’re dragged into a rather urgent situation that
not only begs your immediate attention, it demands it! I found the story to be
quite accessible, which is to say that it nearly grabs your attention span by
the neck and wrenches it in its direction, with little regard for what you’ve
read before or what you might read following. Swierczynski isn’t worried about
what you might be reading six months from now, he wants you to know that you’ve
grabbed a title worth paying attention to, and he’s confident in his ability to
maintain your focus.
Talking about it too much will ruin any twists and turns that are bound to catch
casual readers off-guard, but I’ll admit I was ‘had’ a time or two. The way that
Swierczynski manages to have readers looking one way while he lobs a rather
nonchalant curve in the opposite direction is a skill that many-a-writer,
selling double the numbers, have yet to master, yet Duane makes it look simple.
I thought that this was a rather masterful showing, and while it might not be
the most talked about book on the shelves right this minute, it’s bound to find
itself as a fondly-remembered footnote in the character’s history.
Manuel Garcia is a find if ever there was one. He uses the first three pages to
establish a certain feel to the environment and by page four he’s kicking ass! I
love it! Sure, there are certain angles which don’t cast a favorable light upon
his feminine characters, but who’s perfect in every light? I got over it real
quick, and I imagine you will too as soon as you see how well Garcia manages to
convey spine-shattering action sequences, and all in close-quarters (hope you’re
not claustrophobic!). You feel it when one woman shoves another’s face into the
cold tile of a public restroom; you don’t really know what’s going on, but you
have such a stake in it that you’re rooting for everyone and no one all at the
same time as Swierczynski & Garcia purposefully leave readers not just wanting
to know more, but needing to.
Need another reason to give a $#!t about this book? Here, it’s $2.99, a rarity
these days, and it manages to dole out a great deal of pain and subversive
intrigue in only 22-pages. I thought that this was an intense title the first
time I read it, but by the second read-thru I was totally captivated. His name
isn’t Millar, Bendis, or Johns, or Ennis, or Ellis, or Kirkman…his name is
Duane, and this book of his kicks all sorts of silly ass. Between the exciting
story and effective art by Manuel Garcia I only have one question: Why aren’t
you reading it?
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All Books/Characters pictured herein are © Copyright 2010 by their respective
owners. No rights given or implied by Alternate Reality, Incorporated.
Reviews © 2010 Alternate Reality, Inc.
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