Renee Marriott Comic Reviews

Black Widow #10, continues Natasha's quest for redemption and atonement for her past and shows Natasha trying to save the people around her by offering them the choices she was never able to have. Black Widow offers an added layer to Natasha's character that universally speaks to readers, as she confronts the past she'd rather avoid. Overall, this is a fantastic story arc for our favorite spy-assassin, and though she put the brakes on romance for now, perhaps there will be more of James Barnes in her (and our) future.

Natasha finds the last girl and tries to convince her that she is being used by the Madame. The last girl is using a SHIELD worker as a shield and taunts Natasha by saying the only way to stop her would be to shoot through the worker, and Natasha wouldn't do that. Natasha takes the shot, which goes through the person and hits the girl. The girl turns out to be Recluse who gains the upper hand, and the last panel is of the girls using the keys to destroy SHIELD. The next issue does not bode well for Natasha, but hopefully, she has a couple tricks up her sleeve to save the day.

Present day Cap explains that these are dangerous times. Past Steve explains to Doctor Erskine that he has to kill him because those are his orders. Doctor Erskine tells Steve that there is a goodness inside him and that he is not a killer and that he needs to find that inside him. Steve holds the gun to him and says that he has to follow his orders. Ultimately, Steve is unable to pull the trigger, but Helmut does it for him. Helmut has a contraption that will read Erskine's mind. Helmut explains that he has been looking out for him all along and that he would always look out for him. The present day Steve is now talking to present day Helmut and explaining that he needs his help. Cap explains to Helmut that there is some brainwashing that had happened. Helmut embraces Steve and asks him what he can do to help the cause.

This issue finally brought all the major pieces together and tied together the complicated politics of Earth-616, going as far as killing the few people who have realized that Cap is Hydra and his reality has been altered and manipulated. Captain America plays to this world's fears and anger to manipulate the populace into believing that Hydra will help them. There seems to be little hope that Cap will remember who he is. However, with the Cosmic Cube back in play, this could change. My prediction is that this series will end with Cap's death at Capitol Hill.

This issue of Ms. Marvel addressed how bravery doesn't always come in the form of jumping into danger, as well as promoting hope and kindness. Even though the Goblin is cruel and evil, as he attempts to blackmail Ms. Marvel into breaking into S.H.I.E.L.D, Ms. Marvel is still able to retain the moral high ground. One of the many things that I love about Ms. Marvel #16 are the themes of friendship and that there is still kindness in an otherwise cruel and at times immoral world.

Ms. Marvel brings up the idea of compassion and asks why it is so hard in this world of performing to be compassionate toward others. Ms. Marvel also addresses that despite the overwhelming amount of negativity and cruelty that people possess, they are also able to change and that the good in the world is often overshadowed by bad.

Overall, I was not wholly impressed with the Clone Conspiracy and was not a huge fan of this issue. Hopefully, there will be more Silk related adventures, especially adventures that involve girls' days with the other Spider-Women.

This issue brings together my two favorite Spider people who have more in common with one another than they think. Burdened by their super powers and having family members willing to sacrifice themselves for them, they bond and empathize with each other as they discuss feelings and conflicts they have about being a superhero. I love how this issue acknowledges the similarities and differences between Earth 65 and Earth 616, while simultaneously bringing them together.