No topic has been hotter among comic fans this past year than that of the Black Widow, are getting the series they've been waiting for.
Black Widow #1, created by Captain America. Though things seem rocky on the emotional side, her skills appear flawless as ever. One can assume these interpersonal issues will be relevant in issues to come. For now, the hero's daredevil spirit remains in tact.
The relatively upbeat vibe of this issue switches up on the reader halfway through when Natasha tumbles out of her window. While even superheroes slip up from time to time, this seems far too unusual for this careful character to be an accident. It seems foul play is present. Someone is out for blood here, but who? It's not like she is devoid of enemies. From Rose to Snapdragon, Natasha has collected a list of villains that have been out to get her (both past and present). Yet, this series brings up a name that seems to be completely out of the blue: Arcade.
Fans know Arcade as the lunatic, sadistic Joker's Funhouse) was created by the assassin himself for the sole purpose of murdering people. What may surprise fans is not the villain himself, but his role in the Black Widow's storyline.
There are a few weird factors at play here. First, what could Arcade want with Natasha Romanoff? The two certainly have not faced off directly in comics past. Not only do they have no history, but no real motive to find each other. The villain pops up in the antics of the Spider-Man, but rarely the Avengers. Does some secret connection exist that readers have not been introduced to yet?
Regardless, fans can look forward to an interesting match up with this one. Natasha's systematic, meticulous approach pinned against the chaotic, vibrant behavior of Arcade is a fun take from Marvel, and sets the scene for some havoc to come. Think of Batman vs. Joker or Spider-Man vs. Green Goblin; what happens when morality and order face up against pure evil and scattered behavior?
Without much context, it's hard to say where Marvel plans on taking this newfound rivalry. Not only is this story sure to be an exciting and fresh new take on a character fans have been dying to see more of, but the timing could not be more perfect, with a solo movie coming out this November starring MCU's Black Widow herself. Though movie goers most likely won't be seeing Arcade on the big screen, his appearance in this series is one you won't want to miss.
