Black Cat #12 – A Bottomless Well of Spite

The Black Cat, Felicia Hardy tried to turn over a new leaf. She tried to do the right thing. What it got her was heartbreak and ridicule from all corners of the internet. After resetting herself by going on an adventure with Venom, Mary Jane Watson, Felicia is back to her old ways. The only problem? While getting away from police who want her captured, she accidentally hits a dog, injuring it. The bigger problem? The dog belonged to one Francis Castle. With the dog hurt but alive, Frank has taken Felicia captive. Held for days, how will Felicia get out of this one?

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn!

*Catch up on this arc with my review of Black Cat #11*

Creative Team

Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Andrés Genolet
Color Artist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Josemaria Casanovas

Writing

G. Willow Wilson continues to craft what is perhaps the most compelling version of Felicia Hardy Marvel Comics has ever seen in Black Cat #12. Under Wilson’s pen, Felicia is both her normal ridiculous self and surprisingly self-reflective. “Sometimes getting what you want means giving up what you have”… That is a line to take in and marinate on if I’ve ever heard it. With Black Cat #12 and the greater Black Cat series, Wilson shows us that a character can be both silly and deep. To put it in the simplest terms, Felicia is fun. Wilson has created a story and arc that is classic Black Cat, but it’s just fun to read.

Part of the fun of the story comes from the sense you get that Wilson just understands Felicia. Much like Wilson gave the depth, fun, and whimsy to Kamala Khan, she provides that same levity to Felicia. She shows us that Felicia can be someone who loves fiercely, genuinely cares, and yet isn’t afraid to be her fun, independent self. Black Cat #12 shows us that while Felicia cares, she also stands strongly on her principles, willing to just apologize if Frank had been a normal person about the accident. This issue is refreshing and sets up a nice cliffhanger for the final issue of the Black Cat/Punisher Arc.

Art

Andrés Genolet did some of his absolute best work so far this issue. When comic panels focus on characters up close in panels, it can really separate the quality of artists. Genolet shows in Black Cat #12 his skill level with beautifully crafted panels. Genolet draws what can easily be labeled some of the most beautiful black cat drawings we’ve seen in comics. The detail in Felicia’s hair, the scruff on Castle’s beard, and even tufts of grass; no detail was too small for Genolet.

Brian Reber, with colors, really brought this issue to life. From the shadows and shading on Felicia’s eyes to the colors of the big cliffhanger at the end, Reber nailed it with colors on this issue. For one panel, Reber and Genolet combined to actually make Frank Castle look cool and much like a normal guy, even if he’s wearing a skull on his shirt. When the scene shifts to Cape May, Reber does a great job with the houses and landscape to make it feel authentic and alive like the actual city. Joe Caramagna does a great job with lettering, helping readers flow through Felicia’s conversations with the readers as well as her own thoughts. As with any issue that features The Punisher, Caramagna gets plenty of opportunity for SFX in this issue that are well done, add to the scene, and enhance the story.

Final Thoughts

Black Cat #12 is everything you would want in a Black Cat comic. Felicia is fun, serious, silly, and sultry all in the same issue. This entire series has been a delight, and it’s clear why it received an Eisner nomination. Black Cat has become a must-read series in the world of Marvel Comics that I think shines even brighter than most of the other Spider-Man-related titles right now.

Overall Grade: 10 / 10

How are you liking Frank and Felicia together in this series? Let me know in the comments