MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Black Cat #2 (King in Black Tie-In)

Black Cat is not a hero, and she fully embraces that role of being just that: a thief. But just because you are a cat-burglar does not mean you cannot expand your horizons every now and then, especially when times are getting hard. Thus, Black Cat is caught in the middle of the King in Black mega-event. She was tasked by Cap and the Avengers to rescue and save Doctor Strange, because according to the heroes, he is the galaxy’s best chance to save humanity from the grasp of Knull and his alien, symbiote invasion. Thus, this issue commences as a misadventure of Black Cat and her motley crew of misfits toward saving Doctor Strange using all their cool gadgets and devices. It’s strange, no pun intended, that such a huge responsibility was put into the hands of a thief, but there must be a good reason she was entrusted with the major role.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Black Cat #2

STORY BY: Jed MacKay

ART BY: Carlos Villa

COVER BY: Pepe Larraz, Adam Hughes, Arist Deyn, Olivier Coipel, Peach Momoko

A CLASSIC GAME OF CAT AND…SYMBIOTE?

• Black Cat has to steal from Knull himself!
• If you know Felicia Hardy, she never shows up inappropriately dressed –

THIS ISSUE, Felicia gets her own ANTI-VENOM COSTUME!

SHE IS BACK IN BLACK! AND BETTER THAN EVER!

PROS:

• The group composition of Black Cat’s team is cleverly constructed: a glamorous lady thief, a wheelman, a doctor of destruction, a ghost dog, and an unconscious wizard… against endless hordes of alien dragons. Now, while Black Cat does not like their odds, it is amazing that a group of individuals I am not too familiar with automatically feel like a close-knit family not only to themselves but to me as a reader. They’re going to need all the star-power they can get if they want to steal from Knull.
• That one page showing Black Cat on a goblin glider, with a ghost dog attached to her was magic, pure and simple. Black Cat said she always wanted to fly on of those things, and she finally got her wish. This issue was like a Mission Impossible or Fast & Furious movie on steroids, with all the high-flying, high-octane action involving countless technologies, devices and vehicles. This is a blockbuster, popcorn movie at its best.
• I am so in love with the motivation that drives Black Cat, and why she is so angry at Knull and the alien invasion. Her emotions stem from Knull and his symbiotes disrupting a big score, robbing her of what she was supposed to rob. With this genuine anger, Black Cat was driven to get her revenge on Knull… and help out her superhero friends in the process.
• The anger that Black Cat has for Brock and Venom is justifiable. In these tie-in issues, one common thread, or web, I have observed across the books is all the pent-up anger other heroes have for Spider-Characters. Black Cat blames Brock for all the chaos, death and destruction that is happening right now, as she believes he is the source of all the symbiote mess occurring. Similarly, in other books, other heroes put the blame on Spider-Man for not keeping his people in check. The blame game is fun when you’re not the one in the crosshairs.

CONS:

• While the anti-symbiote/anti-venom suit that Black Cat was wearing looks sleek and fashionable, the showcase of its full ability, power and potential was somewhat limited this time around. But it is still an interesting technology that can be used even more in her next upcoming issues. It may not be that Black, but she looks really good in the new costume.
• More girl power is always welcome! They can definitely add another powerful woman to the unit.

FINAL SCORE: A+

Honestly… You had me at ghost-dog. This is just a weird, wild, wacky joyride starring anti-heroes, unwilling and uncomfortable in their new role as the galaxy’s saviors. But they’re the best hope Earth has right now, especially since it is their job to secure the key to all this madness… Doctor Strange. I am hoping Black Cat will be able to directly work with Spider-Man and Venom in the coming issues, as all these three have such a long and rich history together that goes all the way back to their origin years.