BLACK WIDOW BY KELLY THOMPSON VOL. 1: THE TIES THAT BIND

A fantastic start to Thompson’s intriguing run as writer for Black Widow!Author Kelly Thompson’s Marvel comic book Black Widow Vol. 1: The Ties That Bind (2021) is a very interesting and fresh take on Black Widow. Natasha Romanoff is kidnapped and given a new family with a potential to lead a normal life. Thompson’s writing is very sympathetic towards the often abused and tortured Natasha Romanoff, who has lead many lives with many lovers. It’s neat to see a regular life for Natasha and this comic certainly has twists and turns with surprise appearances from old Black Widow villains and allies.I loved the strong emotional ending and all the slick, polished action sequences that show off Black Widow’s graceful killing skills. Thompson’s writing is cool, empathetic, thoughtful, and fast paced for a potentially astonishing run of Black Widow. I’m certainly going to read her next volume for Black Widow.Elena Casagrande’s gorgeous illustrations provide a sexy and sleek new design for Natasha Romanoff alongside her classic Black Widow superheroine uniform. Casagrande’s art is so expressive emotionally with subtle faces that look very contemporary. Her pretty pencils and inks look so smooth with action and motions that are easy to follow and fun to look at while you read Black Widow. Jordie Bellaire’s colors pop with a deep vibrance like her radiant blonde hair for Yelena Belova and her striking scarlet for Natasha Romanoff.In short, Kelly Thompson has got me hooked on her latest Black Widow comic.

So where to begin? I was hesitant when I first heard Thompson was gonna write Black Widow. Her first 15 issues of Captain Marvel frankly sucked. First ten were too political and the last five were just boring.Needless to say I was unsure, but I'm a huge Black Widow fan. I've read pretty much everything I could get my hands on. So I took the plunge. While it's nothing compared to the Name of the Rose, Ittsy Bitsy Spider or No Restraints Play — it's a great story showing a much hidden (and oft forgotten) side of Natasha: the side that wants a normal life, motherhood, domestic bliss. And Thompson did it without losing the core feel of Natasha. That pragmatic deadly assassin.I fell in love with how Thompson wrote a character that's very near and dear to my heart. I've come to the conclusion that higher ups in Marvel told her how to write Carol for the first fifteen issues and that Thompson really shines when she's allowed to work with her own ideas and run with them instead of being forced into a box because politics or coperate mechanision.

Black Widow, by Kelly Thompson and Elena Casagrande (Marvel)This run seemingly came out of nowhere last year and took home the 2021 Eisner for “Best New Series”. I was pleasantly surprised by the tone and feel of the first volume (“The Ties That Bind”). Even though the 2016 Waid/Samnee series is probably an overall superior run, I’ve reread the first Thompson/Casagrande volume and it’s my favorite Black Widow story. It’s not perfect, (I found at least one major villain flaw and at least one direction I would have preferred they had done differently), but it was a buildup and setup that was just pure fun. I love the friends that come to help and the unique dynamic between each. There is a desperation and a “badassery” exhibited by our heroes. I can see why the series got some hype early on. Unfortunately, the second volume falls really flat and doesn’t deserve to be in the discussion for any awards (don’t waste your money on the second volume). Thompson decided to take the book in a different direction and left behind what made it work.

Pretty Good Book

Personally I wasn't a big fan of the Black Widow, I didn't like hate her or anything but she just never interested me. However if you're somewhere in the same boat as me then I think you'll be very surprised to read this and find how interesting this run is. Like there were so much happening where I was just questioning the reality of the situation, and without a doubt if you're like me you'll be in tears for how this ends for Natasha. Something else I'd liken to note is I really loved the artistry used in this book like it felt so much like a spy book which is should and it displays so much details I really loved it. So without a doubt I'll be picking up vol. 2 whenever I get the chance and I highly recommend you give this take of Black Widow a read.

This book was a lot of fun to read, and I enjoyed the interplay between the supporting characters. Action is on point, too.

One of the worst Marvel stories I have read in years. So bad I will even "spoil" the story since it was rotten to begin with.The entire story hinges on Widow getting captured in an entirely unbelievable manner by minor villains. Then, when she is drugged and helpless, instead of killing her because she is sooooo dangerous, they implant a chip in her head which alters her memory, do the same for a guy, make them husband and wife, and set them up with a fast grown cloned kid, and set her up as an architect working on a 20+ story high rise. Never knew Natasha had that kind of training, guess it was also added in the chip. And then they ... just watch her.... until they almost randomly decide to kill her. All for NO REASON. Madam Hydra orders her minions in to kill Natasha so she can make her escape ... then a few panels later she is leading the attack. This is how bad this book was thought out.

Loved it. Casagrande's artwork is so expressive and clean.

This is the best Black Widow story I have read. The story is great, the artwork compliments the story perfectly and the fights are cinematically perfect.Natalia is living her perfect life, with her perfect family. Who is the voice in her head telling her things are wrong? What happened and who are there "old friends" lurking in the background. Where does she get these amazing skills to fights and protect. Thrills for speed, and danger.This is an awesome start to what I hope is going to be a long series. I can't wait to see next for Natasha. Can thing ever be the same? What is the new direction?

Kelly Thompson is such an underrated and consistently great writer, so I knew I was going to at least have a good time reading this, but I didn't know that we were all going to get our hearts broken!The story was totally unexpected and a really interesting way of kicking of a new solo Black Widow title. I loved the inclusion of Hawkeye and Winter Soldier too!The art and layouts by Casagrande are awesome throughout, but especially in the double splash page fight scenes where we really get to see exactly how the fights play out.I honestly can't recommend this one enough!

Kelly Thompson is one of my favourite comic writers so when I saw she was taking the helm for Black Widow I jumped on board and loved every page! Great writing, great artwork, get this for your collection.

I loved everything. Not a single thing I disliked!! I loved the story, the illustrations, everything. Great job! Will definitely read more Black Widow comics by Kelly Thompson. 👏

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