Spider-Gwen #5

Writer – Jason Latour
Artist – Robbi Rodriguez
Colours – Rico Renzi

The latest issue of Spider-Gwen is a literal masterpiece as it brings the Black Cat into the spotlight. Not only is Black Cat a master thief, she is also a world famous pop star and due to her opening band not being able to perform, she calls upon the Mary Janes to do so. The Mary Janes are not the biggest fans of Felicia, but they are not about to let a little animosity get in the way of furthering their rep as a band. Things of course, never go as planned as Felicia has also invited Matt Murdock to the show which as he is the Kingpin’s number one man, is just poking the beast. From here, Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez start a chain of events that sees the Black Cat and her backup musician-cats in battle against Matt Murdock and his ninjas with Spider-Woman and the Mary Janes in the middle of it all. The issue roars by with all of the action that takes place within and yet Latour still manages to pack some characterization in the book as he explores Felicia’s past in an interlude entitled ‘Le Vengeance Du Chat Noir!’ From that moment onwards the book just takes off and all Gwen can do to stop innocent people from getting hurt is to punch everyone within distance including the ninjas and Felicia. There is a revelatory moment where Gwen learns that it has been Murdock who has been behind her and Captain Stacy’s recent troubles and it makes her more than just a little mad. While the story has been gripping from one issue to the next, you cannot forget the electric pencils of Robbi Rodriguez who really makes this book what it is. Without him the book would not really be the same and hopefully he remains for a long period to come. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but as long as Latour and Rodriguez are on board to usher it along, it is bound to be good.

4.5 out of 5

Harrow County #2

Writer – Cullen Bunn
Artist – Tyler Crook, Owen Gieni

Emmy is finding out things that are a little too unreal to believe. First off, she has discovered the skin of a boy that is still alive and she knows it for what it is, a Haint or restless spirit. After taking it home and hiding it of course, she discovers thanks to the Haint that her father and the folk from around the countryside have something malevolent planned for her. Then and there she decides to run because she does not want to die though she ends up in a predicament which is not much better than the one she left. As far as horror tales go, Cullen Bunn has created yet another fantastic tale, this one a little more subtle in its fright than Wolf Moon or Hellbreak and one that is a little more classic in its approach. The artwork is masterful and gives the comic a storybook-feel, though the subject matter is obviously a little bit darker than your average fairy-tale. Bunn also starts adding to the mythology of his story with the introduction of ghosts and the like, specifically Haints as those down South refer to them as. Coupling these new aspects with the moody artwork and the book has turned into one of the best horror titles on the stands today. Emmy is a really interesting character as she is somewhat naive, being so young and a country girl and all, but as the story moves forward, she is becoming more and more aware of what is going on around her. Two issues in and the book is utterly captivating.

4 out of 5