Review: Black Widow Vol. 2- The Tightly Tangled Web

Quick Summary

Pros: The structure of the main narrative is as captivating and enjoyable as it was in the previous collection. The focus on Black Widow is worthwhile. The conclusion helps build anticipation for the next volume. The artwork is gorgeous all the way through and makes everything even better.

Cons: Some of the short stories are just alright.

Overall: This volume retains the quality of its predecessors while building up plotlines for its successor. This comic has action, suspense, and a focus on Black Widow’s character that is interesting all the way through. Then, it concludes with a few final chapters that are interesting on their own while also setting up the next story arc. All of this is then further enhanced by some gorgeous artwork. Anyone who enjoyed the previous volume should continue reading here as this is another win for Black Widow.

Story

Black Widow Vol. 2: The Tightly Tangled Web, by Nathan Edmondson, plays out in a similar manner to its predecessor for similarly positive results. It starts by sending Black Widow on a number of shorter, independent missions. These missions are fun, unique, and each one allows for an entertaining team-up between Black Widow and a different Marvel hero. Then, the collection moves on to building up a larger narrative that directly sets up the main plotline for the next volume. While all of this is happening, the collection also highlights Black Widow’s personal story. The end result is a collection filled with fun, drama, and entertainment all the way through.

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The opening chapters of The Tightly Tangled Web feel similar to the opening chapters in The Finely Woven Thread (Review). They have Black Widow on individual adventures that showcase her abilities as a spy. However, this volume also includes a short superhero team-up on each one of these adventures. It gives the encounters additional diversity and allows them to still feel fresh as they play out over the course of another volume. Not every encounter is special, as the Punisher one feels a little mundane, but the majority of them are fun and unique adventures with some great characters.

The Tightly Tangled Web also continues to develop Black Widow’s personal story. Her actions on her adventures show that she is clearly not in full control of her emotions at this moment. Her internal doubts about her life as a lone wolf appear to be affecting her more than she initially believed. This is especially noticeable in the way it relates to her attorney, one of the few points of stability in her life. Because of this, his capture and her quest to free him make a great centerpiece for the book’s second half.

As the book approaches its conclusion, it also begins to significantly build up suspense for the next story arc. While the previous volume made vague declarations about a conspiracy brewing in Black Widow’s life, this one is more direct about it. Something evil is going on here and Black Widow is going to have to do something about it. The death of her attorney ensures this and implies that the next volume is going to finally deal with this issue. I closed The Tightly Tangled Web more excited than ever to read this series.

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Art

The visuals in The Tightly Tangled Web prove, once again, that artwork is still this Black Widow series’ most important attribute. Phil Noto’s atmospheric and moody depictions of this collection’s events highlight contribute to the drama and general enjoyment in this reading process. Noto does particularly well drawing Black Widow, making her stand out as this comic’s star among a number of diverse backgrounds. In addition, color continues to play a huge part in the visual style, as it helps convey tone, highlight a specific story element, or just make an already beautiful scene look even better. Overall, the artwork in this book is wonderful and nearly makes the entire collection worthwhile on its own.

Continuity

Black Widow Vol. 2: The Tightly Tangled Web continues the story from Black Widow Vol. 1: The Finely Woven Thread (Review).

The story here continues in Black Widow Vol. 3: Last Days (Review).

This volume also makes references to other comic books, detailed below:

• Daredevil relocated to San Francisco in Daredevil Vol. 4 #1, collected in Daredevil Vol. 1: Devil at Bay. 
• Punisher Vol #9, collected here, takes place right after Punisher Vol. 10 #8, collected in The Punisher Vol. 2: Border Crossing.