Black Cat #9 – A Second Chance at Mistakes

After a turn as a do-gooder, Felicia Hardy, The Black Cat, has found herself assisting her old friend Mary Jane Watson. As Felicia and MJ travel to the Negative Zone to chase a tape that could ruin MJ’s career, they encounter more than they bargain for. After dealing with riddles and a surprisingly easy passcode to get into the high security prison, Felicia stumbles upon the infamous Siege Perilous. The allure of the Siege Perilous is too strong as the ancient artifact sends Felicia and MJ tumbling through time and space into a world different than the one they left.

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Creative Team

Writer: G Willow Wilson
Artists: Andrés Genolet and Gleb Melnikov
Colorists: Rachelle Rosenberg and Brian Reber
Letterer: Joe Caramanga
Cover Artist: Adam Hughes

Writing

This issue was an absolute treat. I loved the way G Willow Wilson used the Siege Perilous as a storytelling device. It was really enjoyable to see other versions of characters but also see that in the end, it’s never too late to make a difference. I liked the way Wilson started off Black Cat with Felicia trying to turn over a new leaf. It’s not been an easy road for Felicia since.

I think at the base, this narrative Wilson has crafted speaks to something in all of us. Who amongst us hasn’t felt at one time or another like they’ve suffered or been punished for doing the right thing? Issue #9 really lets readers see Felicia and MJ in a new and enjoyable light. This issue feels like a nice change of pace in the middle of a fairly serious arc to add a little humor and something new. This issue and the narrative choices were a bold choice for Wilson and I think she nailed it.

Art

The art for this issue was absolutely stunning. Without giving anything away for the issue, there were a variety of styles and scenes to draw and color for this issue.

Andrés Genolet and Gleb Melnikov did a great job making each segment of the story feel distinct and memorable. The lines were crisp and clean, showcasing a distinct ability to draw the readers eye to the depth of each panel.

Rachelle Rosenberg and Brian Reber picked the perfect colors to highlight the work from Andrés Genolet and Gleb Melnikov. The colors help set the various distinct setting. Rosenberg and Reber do a really great job with the world of the Siege Perilous making the reader feel sucked in and part of Felicia and MJs wild ride.

Final Thoughts

I love the buddy cop style of this arc. Every arc of this Black Cat story, Wilson and the rest of the creative team have shown the readers a little more about Felicia Hardy. Felicia continues to grow and learn in a world that isn’t always kind to those learning new tricks. This version of Felicia Hardy and Black Cat feels meaningful and invigorating for the character.

Overall Grade: 9.5 /10

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

What did you think about this issue? Let’s chat about it in the comments.