A Real Show Stopping Situation — Reviewing ‘Black Cat’ #15

To catch a thief in the act, Spider-Man calls the one thief he knows who tried to leave it behind. Unfortunately, the lure of one’s past is just a bit too hard to ignore, especially when things haven’t gone so well.

Fresh off a number of cameos and crossovers, Black Cat #15 pairs the title feline vigilante up with her webheaded ex for an interesting night at the theater. G. Willow Wilson, Gleb Melnikov, Brian Reber, and Joe Caramagna deliver the next chapter in their exciting series run.

For the past few years now we’ve gotten some really enthralling and engaging stories with Black Cat. Since this volume began, it’s been one series of events after another for poor Felicia, after she tried to become a hero to honor (the unknowingly missing) Spider-Man. Issues with vampire criminals, the Kingpin of Crime Tombstone, and an encounter with the Punisher have left her very disillusioned with that path.

Spider-Man didn’t get the memo.

There is such an air of lightness which makes the harder sharper edges of this series even better. Wilson writes a very good version of Felicia that retains her usual charm, snark, and ferocity while also really hammering home how hard things are for her. Those cracks in the usual exterior are taking their toll and we can feel that so easily. Masking that in a fun little Opera romp with the aforementioned Vampire and Tombstone is icing on the classic Marvel style cake.

This lighter feeling is boosted and exemplified within the artistic stylings from Melnikov. He has such a perfect style that hits the right buttons of whimsy while also bringing the rougher textures needed for the tone. Each panel feels lush and full of weight, whether there is dense or light details in the moment. It has an air of danger and sexiness to it as well in the right moments, keeping to the core of the character and her typical demeanor.

Capturing these feelings is nothing new to Reber who has been behind coloring of Black Cat’s adventures for many many years now. Showcasing a color palette which has those vibrant splashes of color mixed in with the heftier darker tones to reach a balanced point. Contrasting color palettes don’t clash when handled deftly, they boost one another and create something grander.

Speaking of grander, lettering that knows how to breathe and have lots of fun is always great to see in a story. Caramagna is a veteran in the business and knows how to really get the utmost out of each and every single letter on the page. Letting words burst out of balloons to let them be louder than usual, or shrink down to be soft and quiet as necessary. Giving them that fluffier and energetic feeling which matches the overall directional tone the series embodies.

Black Cat #15 is now available from Marvel Comics.