Marvel introduces White Widow #1, the highly anticipated solo series featuring the beloved anti-hero Yelena Belova. After making significant contributions in various Marvel storylines such as New Avengers, Secret Avengers, Winter Guard, and multiple volumes of Black Widow, Belova made a memorable appearance in the final installment of Kelly Thompson's acclaimed Black Widow (2020) run. Known for her pivotal role and unwavering loyalty to Romanov, Belova now takes center stage as her own story finally emerges.
Written by Sarah Gailey, an award-winning novelist and notable nominee for the Nebula Award, White Widow #1 showcases Gailey's venture into the comic book realm. Gailey's previous works for BOOM! Studios, including the Steven Universe spin-off series and the highly anticipated 2022 Buffy revival, The Vampire Slayer, attest to their talent and versatility. Their creator-owned projects, Eat the Rich (2021) and Know Your Station (2022), have received immense praise within the indie scene. As Gailey continues to expand their presence in the mainstream, they take on the task of crafting an ongoing miniseries for a renowned comic book character with their debut in White Widow #1.
Renowned artist Alessandro Miracolo, known for his exceptional work on popular characters like Red Sonja, Dejah Thoris, and Vampirella, has been instrumental in the success of Dynamite. Prior to his tenure at Dynamite, Miracolo contributed to various Star Wars titles during his time at Marvel, including Star Wars: Yoda and Star Wars: Bounty Hunters. Excitingly, Miracolo's first major release in Marvel's comic universe will be in the 2023 X-Men Annual, while his role as the regular artist for the miniseries, White Widow #1, marks his debut at Marvel. Adding depth to this talented team is colorist Matt Milla, a veteran with over two decades of experience at Marvel, known for his transformative contributions to The Amazing Spider-Man, X-Factor, Daredevil, and Captain America series. VC's Travis Lanham, a highly skilled and esteemed letterer, has also joined the team, with a remarkable career spanning major properties at Marvel, DC, Vertigo, and BOOM! Studios, showcasing his exceptional talent and prolific work.
White Widow #1 opens with a gripping glimpse into Belova's history as she engages in a complex assassination alongside her protégé, Marthe. However, their meticulously crafted plans are unexpectedly interrupted by none other than Steve Rogers. This unexpected encounter sparks a profound transformation within Belova, inspiring her to forge a new path for herself, one that is solely defined by her own ambitions and desires. Fast forward to the present day, where Belova has sought solace in the tranquil surroundings of Idylhaven, a serene small town. Yet, her tranquil existence is about to be shattered as her past and future converge, threatening to disrupt her hard-won peace.
White Widow #1 is a captivating and masterfully written comic. Gailey skillfully incorporates the key elements of storytelling, such as structure, dialogue, tone, and character development, resulting in a polished and thoroughly enjoyable debut for the series. Gailey's dialogue is infused with playfulness and wit, creating vibrant and dynamic relationships that provide plenty of laugh-out-loud moments while introducing and developing the characters. With careful attention to rhythm and meter, Gailey occasionally omits pronouns to enhance the distinctiveness of Belova's voice and accent, effectively bringing her character to life without being flashy or excessive.
Belova takes center stage in the narrative, and this issue dedicates a significant amount of time to constructing a complex and intriguing internal world for her. This lays a solid foundation for her journey of self-discovery and self-actualization, creating a compelling storyline. Belova's narrative voice, sharp and confident, emanates authenticity and sets a tone that reverberates throughout the comic, imbued with her signature lethal playfulness. The narrative symmetry between Belova's under-explored existence outside of the text in the Marvel universe and her internal quest for identity within the story adds a poignant touch and opens up opportunities for exploration in a character who is often utilized but seldom given true depth.
The structural choices made in White Widow #1, both on a micro and macro level, are commendable. By beginning with high-intensity conflict and later alleviating tension through a lengthy expository section in Idylhaven, Gailey provides a thrilling start to the comic that entices readers and situates the story within the broader Marvel narrative. This approach also allows for an organic buildup of stakes. Furthermore, Belova's collection and curation of her own Opinions (ranging from Love to Hate) serves as an excellent framing device throughout the story, aligning the storytelling with her personal perspective and adding humor and charm.
The supporting cast is well-developed to varying degrees. Some original characters possess a well-rounded quality, while others still require further dimension to fully engage readers, especially the emerging antagonist. Nonetheless, Gailey's exceptional writing and profound understanding of the central character serve as the cornerstone that elevates this comic, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
The artwork in White Widow #1 is incredibly impressive. Miracolo's use of thick, angular lines creates a distinctive style that adds depth and texture to each panel. The attention to detail is also evident, with a delicate approach used to highlight specific elements. This combination results in visually striking panels that capture the viewer's attention and captivate them with their intricacy. Miracolo's talent for panel design is also commendable, as the pages flow with dynamic energy, engaging the reader. The full-page spread serves as a showcase for Miracolo's skills, providing a gory and atmospheric depiction that is full of motion. Furthermore, the action sequences in White Widow #1 are masterfully executed, effectively showcasing White Widow's acrobatic combat style and utilizing rapid-fire panel design to convey a sense of momentum and impact. This adds a sharp undercurrent of danger to the fights while demonstrating the lethal capabilities of Belova.
The overall design of the characters is superb, particularly the introduction of the new original characters in White Widow #1. Miracolo has created a cast that is both distinctive and diverse, making bold choices that imbue each character with a unique sense of identity through their striking visuals. While the physical anatomy is meticulously crafted, there are instances where the character expressions appear somewhat unintentionally disproportionate and lacking refinement. These moments momentarily disrupt the flow of the comic, detracting from the immersive experience due to their unnatural and out-of-place appearance.
Milla's color choices in White Widow #1 are exceptional, seamlessly adapting to each new setting and plot development. The contrast between the dark, shadowy palette in the opening section and the light, pastel tones of Idylhaven, the small town, creates a powerful atmosphere in both settings. The tense action scenes are intensified with vibrant washes of red, orange, and purple, heightening the drama and violence. Lanham's lettering is expertly crafted, with clear and solid lines that guide the reader's eye across the page. The strategic use of bold and italics enhances the natural flow and rhythm of the dialogue, mirroring realistic speech patterns. Additionally, the bold emboldening of Russian text adds a distinct tone to the multilingual moments in White Widow #1.
White Widow #1 is an energetic and passionate comic that brims with potential. The principal creative team infuses the comic with a direct and poetic touch, reflecting their young and ambitious spirit. This issue is filled with intrigue and excitement, offering a unique vitality often absent in mainstream superhero comics. Rather than simply reconstructing the existing status quo, White Widow #1 boldly embarks on a transformative mission to develop a fresh vision for Yelena Belova. With its well-timed comedic moments, exhilarating fight scenes, and insightful character development, this debut issue sets a high standard for the series. We can only hope that the momentum continues to build, propelling White Widow to new heights in the upcoming miniseries.
Introducing White Widow
9 / 10Prepare for Yelena Belova's triumphant return! From superspy to rogue agent, she has always been in the shadow of the Black Widow. However, it's a whole new experience for her to forge her own heroic path. As she finally embraces freedom to shape her destiny, the question arises: who will she ultimately become? Sarah Gailey (known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Eat the Rich) teams up with Alessandro Miracolo (renowned for Obi-Wan and Yoda) to deliver an extraordinary and revolutionary new chapter in the mysterious journey of one of Marvel's most captivating antiheroes.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled to see Marvel introducing a solo series for Yelena Belova, a character who has proven to be a fan favorite. The creative team behind White Widow #1 is incredibly talented, and I have high hopes for this miniseries. Sarah Gailey's writing is engaging and witty, and Alessandro Miracolo's art is stunning. I am particularly excited to see how Gailey and Miracolo explore Yelena's character and her relationships with other characters in the Marvel Universe.
Yelena Belova is a complex and fascinating character, and I am eager to see more of her story. I appreciate that Marvel is giving her a chance to shine in her own series, and I believe that this miniseries will be a hit with fans. As a Gen Z netizen, I am always looking for new and exciting comics to read, and White Widow #1 is definitely on my list. I can't wait to see what happens next in Yelena's story!
