For Black Widow, I just can't get over how pretty the art is. I love how these past few issues (and the next one) consist of a dude showing up, teaming up briefly with Natasha, then leaving. Edmondson and Noto are definitely playing up the loner "I work alone" thing, which I'm not too fond of typically. But I do like how the events of the text undermine that. Natasha does work independently, but she has Maria and lawyer dude as support. (Also that cliffhanger!)

I thought the Storm #1 was promising, and I love her, so I will definitely be buying the next one. How cool would it be if she and lady!Thor to fry things with lightning together at some point?

The art for Black Widow gets prettier with every issue. I like that all these brawny male superheroes turn up and Natasha's like "whatevs, gonna call Maria."

I need to hire someone to make me shoes and things out of the Black Widow art. And yes, Maria in BW is so good, especially since we haven't seen enough of her in MCU.

Oh my god, Hawkeye hit me in the FEELS. Just....I wanna give Clint a huge hug to take all the pain away. It was definitely worth the wait! Black Widow has been so much fun to follow so far and I can't wait to see next month's Clint cameo! The July issue's Winter Soldier cameo kinda hit me in the feels due to the lingering fallout from the Winter Soldier (2011-2012) comic. Oh, my heart.

Oh Ms. Marvel. Kamala is totes adorbs.

I bought Widow #9 and am waiting to read it tonight in bed ... :-)

I absolutely ADORED Hawkeye #19. Would still like to know just why it took so long, but it certainly did not disappoint. Hit me right in the canon ...

I love the individuality of the BW comics, Natasha doing her own thing during "off times". In and of itself, that is certainly capable of being consistent with the MCU. That said, I hope that there is some cross-referencing (e.g. to the deaf!Clint story in Hawkeye #19) when he appears in BW #10.

The different story lines between individual comic runs generally make my head spin; as a writer who likes to stay (mostly) canon consistent (if not compliant), I like at least SOME internal consistency -- as exists between the story lines of the various movies in the MCU where there are at least there few outright contradictions, even if gaps aren't explained. So unless those lovely comics start to intersect at least a wee bit, I will prefer the MCU for my story telling no matter how heartrending and beautiful the books are.

Edited 2014-08-08 01:26 am (UTC)

I get what you're saying about the inconsistencies, but the element of coordination required is so much harder for comics though- you have so many writers and artists with no clear overall vision. The fact there are few movies makes it much easier for the MCU to be consistent. In some ways the comics diversity is appealing: I'm imagining if some of the shitty (IMO) interpretations of Natasha were the ONLY interpretation allowed. Much better to be able to pick and choose.

I loved Hawkeye #19. It reminded me a lot of the Pizza Dog issue (I think that was #11?) Where I found myself reading and rereading to make sure I was getting everything together.

I love Fraction's work on Hawkeye so much, and with the rumor that Hawkeye is ending (or at least Fraction's run on it) in a few books, I decided to pick up his "Sex Criminals". It's such a weird, weird, weird, concept behind a "super power" but I found myself really liking it. I'm annoyed because I found 1 & 2 at one store and 5 & 6 at another...but 3 & 4 are missing from my life right now, so I don't know if I can move on until I see them.

Sex Criminals is awesome. :D You should definitely wait until you can read them in order tho, the story's pretty tight, I can't imagine it working if it's read in the wrong one.

How much do these comics cost? I want to read the latest Hawkeyes and of course the next Black Widow. Do you buy them online or at a comic book store?

$3.99 here in Canada -- and you can buy digital versions. They also put out collections -- the first Hawkeye runs are available in book form (around $15 a pop) from amazon:

My Life as a Weapon (http://www.amazon.com/Hawkeye-Vol-Life-Weapon-Marvel/dp/0785165622/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407533354&sr=1-1&keywords=hawkeye)


Little Hits (http://www.amazon.com/Hawkeye-Vol-2-Little-Hits/dp/0785165630/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0NPPJ11GDX6WNQDDJJS0)

and

The first collection of Noto's Black Widow is out now too:

The Finely Woven Thread (http://www.amazon.com/Black-Widow-Volume-Finely-Thread/dp/0785188193/ref=pd_sim_b_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1843FBXBDZH2YH26ZBTJ)

Thanks! I might have to get these. I'm not sure if I want the entire series or just specific issues. And do you recommend actual copies or digital versions?

I like to feel pretty things, plus a friend made me a Marvel Box for Christmas to put my growing collection into, so I buy the real thing. My local comic store is a friendly place, not at all fanboyish -- they have a bookcase devoted to female-centric comics and have a "geek girls night" on Sunday that I may just go to. What's not to love? (Pus, I think the printed comics actually come with a digital code so you can get an extra copy for your lap top. I haven't done that yet, though.)