Writer: Christos N. Gage

Art: Michele Bandini, Rachelle Rosenberg, VC’s Joe Caramagna, and Stonehouse

Price: $3.99

Release Date: March 25th, 2020

Well, the next chapter in the Marvel Avengers tie-in is here! Not only is this a tie-in but my spidey-senses are tingling and there’s more to this than meets the eye. Black Widow is typically not a character who gets an intro issue/ episode. Just like in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the TV show, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Black Widow featured as a supporting character. Of course, with her new movie coming out in the near future, one can only assume they might try to get fans interested in the movie with the help of this issue. Let’s dig in and see what we have here…

Before we even open up the issue, there is no doubt that the cover artist, Stonehouse, was trying to pay tribute to the MCU’s Black Widow. She does look a lot like Scarlett Johansson’s character. While we are eyeing the cover, this cover has got to be one of the best covers from the Marvel Avengers! It just screams action pack and for me also has a Captain America: Winter Soldier vibes.

We begin our issue in the past, and we see Nick Fury. Think this is the first time we see Nick Fury within all of the tie-ins. Seems like this book is taking nods to the show, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Nick Fury is a black Nick but has a grey hairstyle like the classic Nick. Just as well, these tie-in issues have a sense of the TV show as well. We also get a glimpse of Natasha kicking some series butt! As well as seeing that quite a bit of her new team, they don’t fully trust her. Especially when she is somewhat new and since her last job was working for Russia, do you blame them? Thankfully time for her training, though she doesn’t really need it. But time to introduce Tony Masters, a name that is very familiar. Right there I knew again that this book is going to throw us some marketing for the new Black Widow movie. If you don’t know who Tony Masters is then you won’t understand why what he does next is so brilliant. Some fun sparring and learning where Natasha learn how to fight.

Some weeks go by and Romanoff and Masters really got close, but just when Hydra agents are coming to be put in the slammer, chaos springs out. As a blackout occurs and every S.H.I.E.L.D. worker heads down to the cells to make sure no one got away. Thankfully Romanoff is in already there Knocking everyone out. Too bad Tony informs us that Natasha was the one who tried to break them out. Now at this point think we can all point out who is the bad dude. If her name wasn’t on the book, then I could believe she is a double agent. Lucky for Nick, Black Widow was able to free her name and let everyone in on who really is the bad guy. That was actually fun to read and to uncover who did the crime! Trying to escape, Tony fights Natasha off. The battle was quick and wish we got more action! Especially from Masters and Black Widow.

Just when Tony escapes, Nick informs us that actually, Natasha could be a double agent after all! At this point, I was a bit confused but at least the book did so that I wanted to read more to know who’s side is she really on. We get a glimpse of her past and actually feel something for Natasha.

Final Thoughts:

Well, I didn’t think I would enjoy this comic but not only did I appreciate this issue, I also left wanting to watch the Black Widow movie now. Plus, I want to buy the game to see what happens next! The artwork was ok. I won’t brag about it because truthfully, I’ve seen better in other Gamerverse issues. But thankfully, this issue had dialogue and storytelling that really kept my attention. This is a very enjoyable issue and I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Black Widow or the game!

7.5/10