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Creative Team- Stephanie Phillips(writer). Paolo Villanelli(artist). Mattia Iacono(color artist). VC’s Joe Sabino(letterer). Stephen Segovia, Jesus Aburtov(cover artists). Skottie Young(variant cover artist). Kat Gregorowicz(designer). Kaitlyn Lindtvedt(assistant editor). Alanna Smith(editor). C.B. Cebulski(editor in chief).
Published by Marvel Entertainment
Be sure to check out my review for Black Widow & Hawkeye #3 here! Hope you enjoy!
The Trap
In Black Widow & Hawkeye #3, we ended with Clint surrendering himself over to Damon Dran in place of Natasha. But of course it’s never that simple. In Black Widow & Hawkeye #4, we see that Dran has taken Clint, AKA Hawkeye, as bait in a trap to capture Natasha. All the while, the symbiote is still antagonizing Clint about his past failures. All in all, this is a pretty awful situation for our favorite archer.
What Clint realizes is that Natasha and he have performed the same routine they’ve had since the beginning of their friendship. It’s so repetitive that even Dran knows their next moves. He knows that if he puts Clint in danger, then Natasha, AKA Black Widow, will come to his rescue. Natasha, knowing her enemy extremely well, knows this is a trap designed especially for her.
Where it all started
The flashbacks were some of my favorite parts. I loved seeing Natasha in her first appearance Black Widow suit! Additionally, Hawkeye in the purple and blue suit from the early days was just icing on the cake. The flashbacks take place at the Russian Embassy, where Hawkeye first risks his own safety to save Black Widow, at the objection of Iron Man. Hawkeye is right in the fact it’s the same scenario played over and over. He put it best when he says it’s “as if being willing to die for one another was the only way we were capable of expressing love”. There’s no better to describe their relationship.
Now that he’s out of the handcuffs, thanks to his best friend, Clint needs Natasha to know the truth. The truth as to why he said he assassinated the Russian ambassador. However, Clint must trust his symbiote to be able to show her. Moreover, he must trust the symbiote to get them out of this trap.
The Art
The artwork continues to be spectacular in Black Widow & Hawkeye, especially in the fourth installment. As I mentioned, the flashback scenes were my favorite part. Natasha and her blue suit were drawn and colored so beautifully. It definitely took me back to the first time I saw her in the comics. Hawkeye looked outstanding himself. I really enjoyed how their cool toned suits contrast the bright warm toned backgrounds in these panels.
Another thing that really stands out is how incredible they look with their symbiote suits. Hawkeye in his suit looks fantastic with the usual black symbiote look with the classic purple Hawkeye usually sports.
The Writing
Black Widow & Hawkeye #4 does such a great job at continuing the already exciting story. It has so much going on, but it’s all done so expertly that it flows very nicely. Something I love that was in this fourth installment is the looking back on Clint and Natasha’s relationship. Their loyalty to each other shines brightly in each panel and Stephanie Phillips does a fantastic job showcasing it.
Final Thoughts
I think it did a good job showing how connected they’ve always been. So connected to the point that their life is a pattern that they’ve grown comfortable with. I always enjoy the plot points that show how deep their friendship goes. Black Widow & Hawkeye #4 is an excellent continuation for this run and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
I give this a 9 out of 10
This review was written by me, Megan from Vigilante Vibes: A Marvel Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Black Widow & Hawkeye comics, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!
