Edmondson has taken this story from pure action to being a multi-layered adventure where all the lines are blurring. It seems like the closer Natasha comes to letting people in, the more dangerous things get for her. Chaos is proving to be a much more worthy foe than her previous battles as they are hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D with ease and without hesitation. Who are they? Who is in charge? Questions Natasha wants to get to the bottom of. Read Full Review

Phil Noto is the perfect fit for this book, his lines and colors really give this book an incredible tone that keeps me coming back issue after issue. His artwork is absolutely flawless and he does such a beautiful Natasha. I could stare at his work for hours and his cover for the issue is extremely clever. I hope he is on this book for the long haul. Read Full Review

This is one of those issues that you just have to pick up. This series is a great insight into what goes on in the Marvel U behind the fancy intergalactic battles and gods fighting gods. It's gritty, beautiful, and serious. This is slowly making Edmondson and Noto a duo to watch out for. Read Full Review

Black Widow has had some surprise guest stars over the course of the series including Daredevil, Winter Soldier and now here with the Punisher, but they've always served to advance the story and showcase the character of Black Widow, more than feeling like a guest star there to just bump sales. This series continues to be one of Marvel's stronger titles based on the solid consistency in both the art and writing, and this issue proves it yet again. If you haven't been reading Black Widow and are reading the Punisher, this is the perfect opportunity to give this book a shot. But even if you're not, this book continues to be a title you should be reading and this issue proves yet again just why that is. Read Full Review

Despite being a little too tied to another book which is, to both issues credit, also by Edmonson, I still thoroughly enjoyed this as a starting point for another, longer storyline. Fun comics may be getting their share of praise, and rightly so, but theres something to be said for a comic that takes itself deadly seriously and goes out of its way to EARN that tone, which this one does. Black Widow is fast becoming the covert hit of the year, and I cant think of anything that would be more apropos. Edmonson writes Natasha as cold, but she never comes off and boring or emotionless and Notos visuals continue to be almost unreal in how consistently great they are considering he does them all solo, making this book a look underneath the curtain of the Marvel U, but one thats worth checking out if you want to see what goes on when the Infinity Gauntlet isnt obliterating entire worlds. Read Full Review

In this issue ( i don't know what happened in past issues...) but Widow seemed a bit edgy while interrogating a chinese mechanic of the ship, and guess what Frank stopped her for almost kill this man. At this point she was more punisher than Punisher. But it was good seeing Frank with a good word of advice to her. Read Full Review

Black Widow continues to be an entertaining read, as though I look forward to delving into the future of her own story, this Friend from Foe crossover was very captivating. Recommended. Read Full Review

Hopefully this series can move onto more interesting territory with this issue's cliffhanger. Read Full Review

Despite the interesting ongoing story, this issue feels like an unnecessary way-point with almost zero effect on what will happen next. Which is fine for a fun read for those looking for a little spy-thrill. The final reveal pages does exactly what it should in making you want to read what is next. With that being the case, if your budget is tight I'd go ahead and say wait for next month and see what is around the corner for Black Widow. Read Full Review

Coby's Top 5 Comic of the Week



This is the "Friend from Foe" crossover storyline, and I dug it. It's two comics with the same setting: a boat. Crossbones and some of his cheap goons rig the boat to explode. The timer's set for 4 minutes. In each of the respective books, you see what Punisher and Black Widow did in those 4 minutes. This is a really unique concept that comes across as very cinematic in its portrayal. These two books have always felt to me like they kind of go hand-in-hand, and the crossover works wonderfully here. I also have mad respect for The Punisher because of how accurate it is--the writer either has a helluva factchecker or has spent some time hanging around Special Forces, becuase he's got everything right. And the art in Black Widow is the only time I find that watercolor look working for me. If you're only reading one of these books, this neat little 2-issue crossover is a great chance to try the other one. If you're not reading either, this is the time to pick up both! more