Review: ‘Black Cat’ #10 Plays Sleight Of Hand In Madripoor
by Tony Thornley
One of the core tenets of magic is distraction. By drawing your attention to one hand, the other is free to actually perform the trick. The same is true for a thief, as Black Cat #10 teaches us.
Jed MacKay, Kris Anka, Brian Reber, and Ferran Delgado wrap up Felicia’s Madripoor adventure.
Black Cat and Wolverine rush through the streets of Madripoor, with Kade Kilgore’s smart glasses in hand. However, Kilgore isn’t going to let them go without a fight- or a massive price on their head. Can the duo beat Kilgore? And what is Felicia REALLY after?
MacKay flexes his skills with characterization in a couple ways. The interplay between Logan and Felicia is quippy, with the two clearly displaying a massive amount of respect for one another but not totally discarding a bit of flirtation. However, as he weaves in the distraction, we learn more about Felicia’s history, particularly showing a layer we’ve never seen, and giving the revelation, though brief, a sweet poignancy.
Anka’s art is energetic and light. He draws the reader’s eye across the page as he fills it with action. He’s also a master with facial expressions, with some of the most emotive characters I’ve seen in a comic in a long time. That even extends to characters who we can’t see their faces, as Deadpool and the Brothers Grimm enter the picture late in the issue.
One of the best things about this issue is that MacKay and Anka telegraph what’s going on almost immediately, but the ride is such a joy. Felicia is literally crying out gleefully the first time we see her on the page and that continues through the entire issue. It’s enjoyable, funny, and executed nearly perfectly.
This series continues to be one of the most enjoyable reads in comics month in, month out.
Black Cat #10 is available now from Marvel Comics.
