Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #1 (Story 3)

Background

Spider-Man and Black Cat used to be allies, but things have taken a turn for the worse...

Story 'Crossed Paths'

Months Ago in Superior Spider-Man #20: The Superior Spider-Man swung up to Black Cat and, barely saying a word and with no explanation, punched her and webbed her up for the authorities. He screwed over her entire life!

She went to prison, had her identity revealed as Felicia Hardy and all her assets seized.

In prison she found a spider. About to crush it in fury, she decided that playing it with it first would be much more satisfying!

Days later, Electro blasted the prison wide open! The power shut off and Black Cat's bad luck powers returned! She walks, free from danger, and knows never to be burned again.

Now: She watches Spider-Man and promises him that she, as he did to her, is going to take everything from him... but not after she's done playing with him first!

General Comments

This is another Dan Slott and Christos Gage story and one that successfully sets up The Black Cat as a promising threat and not another cheeky friend.

The exposition and character recap is written with subtlety and moves the 5 pages forwards at a fare pace.

The decision to tie this in to the Electro explosion is a nice nod to character connections and there's something about the reveal that it was Black Cat watching Spidey in the main story of the issue that makes these five pages seem important.

Guiseppe Camuncoli is on fire here and it is down to his efforts and quality of the emotion that he pours in Black Cat that makes her a woman truly scorned! Those dark eyes, snarling fangs and new costume are all superb.

Overall Rating

An engaging little set up that does a good job of establishing a truly personal threat and a new twist on Black Cat that we've not seen in a while.