Book: Black Widow volume #2: The Tightly Tangled Web (issues #7-12 and Punisher issue #9) by Nathan Edmondson with illustration and color by Phil Noto, letters by VC's Clayton Cowles
Punisher #9 by Nathan Edmondson, illustration by Mitch Gerads, letters by VC's Cory Petit
Edition: Single Print Issues
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
The whirlwind adventure continues in this second volume of Black Widow with Natasha still taking on various cases when she's not working with the Avengers or S.H.I.E.L.D.. But there is also a secret organization, CHAOS which has set its sights on destroying the Black Widow.
This opens with Natasha in San Francisco (Daredevil's stomping grounds) going undercover trying to infiltrate a cyber terrorist group. However, her cover was made leading to a confrontation between her and the shooter. But it was the appearance of Daredevil that stopped Natasha from crossing the line. He's not sure if she's lost her way or if this is who she really is, either way he wants her out of his city.
Natasha's next destination placed her in cold and snowy Prague trying to retrieve (or steal) something from a moving train. But her heist was interrupted when the Winter Soldier showed up. He was there to stop an international gang of thieves who were planning on stealing the same thing as Natasha. It was great seeing these two team up again but it was also a little sad especially for Bucky because Natasha doesn't remember the relationship they had together due to her memory being altered (see the Winter Soldier series by Ed Brubaker). In a subplot that would play out over several issues, Natasha's lawyer/manager Isiah was captured by CHAOS as a way to lure in Black Widow.
Thanks to the item Black Widow stole, S.H.I.E.L.D. was able to pinpoint a secret location, an oil rig where a CHAOS phone call came from. However, since they can not get involved, Natasha was on her own. Finding and gaining access to the oil rig was an easy task however the situation changed once Crossbones and some his hired mercenaries showed up to destroy the building. She received some unexpected help from the Punisher. However, he had to stop the Black Widow from making a bad call while trying to gather information. If a ruthless vigilante as the Punisher needs to point out you might be taking the wrong approach to interrogating someone then perhaps trying to take down CHAOS is starting to affect her.
Natasha finally learns of Isiah being captured, apparently it was by an "old friend". In a flashback featuring Hawkeye, it showed how Black Widow tried to help a client escape from a dangerous situation in Pakistan. One of the many problems she had of trying to help this person was trying to evade Hawkeye, who as an Avenger was trying to bring in the spy.
After realizing who has Isiah, Natasha raced off to Macau to rescue him. She also brought along some back-up, X-23 (Laura Kinney). Black Widow's "old friend" was anticipating her arrival but the plan to stop her didn't quite workout as intended. Isiah was saved but Natasha was still no where near finding out who is behind CHAOS.
The last issue in this volume found Natasha in Somalia working with the Howling Commandos trying to rescue a reporter. However, back in New York City, an exposé by Anderson Cooper was about to draw unwanted attention towards Black Widow. And unfortunately there is nothing S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Avengers can do to prevent the fallout. I wonder if this might be part of CHAOS' plan to ruin the Black Widow.
With the way this ends, it makes me very interested in reading the finale volume in this series. It looks like it's setting up everything for a fight between the Black Widow and CHAOS. Clearly, whoever is behind CHAOS seems to have a personal vendetta against the Black Widow. Perhaps something that occurred in her past is what's motivating them to go after her.
This action adventure spy thriller, is packed with drama, suspense and a little humor. It forces the reader to experience the highs and lows of Natasha's exploits as she constantly seems to be steps behind CHAOS. I was surprised that there were so many cameos in these issues but none of the appearances take away the focus from the Black Widow.
Black Widow volume #2 was a good read, it has great writing by Nathan Edmondson that goes perfectly with Phil Noto's amazing artwork.
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