Black Cat 8- What is Your Reputation Worth?

Black Cat, Felicia Hardy, finds herself in the Negative Zone with Mary Jane Watson. No good deed goes unpunished, and what was supposed to be a quick trip to recover a cringy audition tape from early in MJ’s career has gone off the rails.

Check out the Nerd Initiative Review for Black Cat #7 to catch up!

Creative Team

Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Gleb Melnikov
Colorist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Adam Hughes
Published by Marvel Comics

Writing

G. Willow Wilson really has a way with words. Every issue of Black Cat I read, I feel like I come away with quotes that would be great to put on the wall for motivation. Whether it’s lessons on friendship, realizing that whether the glass is half full or half empty, that you have to make the two halves work for you, or just reflections on life, this run has been so entertaining.

I really enjoyed Wilson having MJ reflect on how much value we put in our reputations. The conversation serves as a stark reminder that even in the real world, we will often put our lives on the line just to protect our reputation. This issue really builds on the relationship between Felicia and MJ. Another thing that Wilson’s run on Black Cat has done is blend “new Felicia” with “old Felicia”. Black Cat is still as materialistic as ever, but she really is trying to be better and make better choices. This issue reflects that while she has changed for the positive, she’s still the diamond-chasing Black Cat that everyone has come to love.

Art

Gleb Melnikov does an amazing job in this issue. In particular, there is a panel that shows MJ’s transition to Venom that is just so beautiful and well done. Part of that is the color added by Brian Reber, who also really shines later in the issue with a beautiful pink-highlighted panel.

Joe Caramagna deserves all the credit for the job he has done with lettering on this issue. The lettering is smooth and allows you to flow easily. This is especially noteworthy because with MJ as Venom, readers may often forget that although there are only two characters visible in the panel, there are actually three. Caramagna does a great job distinguishing between where MJ is speaking and where Venom is speaking. This, of course, is added by Wilson’s adept use of differences in dialogue between MJ and the Symbiote. Melnikov and Reber combine to create beauty in The Negative Zone, despite it being a barren place of desolation

Final Thoughts

Black Cat may be the best series coming out of the Spider-Man department right now. Wilson is a masterful storyteller. The story is not only enjoyable but continues to ask the reader to think on a deeper level through seemingly innocuous conversations between Felicia and those she encounters, such as MJ.

Overall Grade: 10/10

Until next time, may your pulls be magical, and your multiverse remain stable

Check out more of my reviews HERE!

Are you enjoying Felicia and MJ’s team-up? Let me know in the comments.