CConn
Fountainhead of culture.
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2004
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...and I actually really liked it.
With all the complaints that have been given about Kevin Smith's three year delay in finishing the series, the quality of the whole thing seems to get drowned out.
I was really struck by just how wonderful a spotlight it was for Black Cat. As the title suggests, this is Spider-Man AND the Black Cat. And it's all done very well. The characterization and banter between the characters is excellent. It plainly reminded me why I've quickly become a bit of a fan of Black Cat, and what a solid supporting character she can be to Spider-Man.
Now that's the first half of the book. The second half - while still focusing very much on Black Cat - takes a very different angle. Namely rape and sexual abuse. This is dark stuff. This is disturbing stuff. The kind of subject matter that is almost always uncomfortable to read. At the same time, it's a subject matter that should be read. People should understand what it's like to be raped. Both as an act of prevention against committing it, and as a compassion for the people who have suffered it. Smith details that perfectly. He shows exactly what it does to people. Shows just how truly horrible it is. And that, while uncomfortable, is ultimately powerful. Very powerful.
With that said, I would be remiss to mention the art. It's fantastic. I've always been a fan of the Dodson's, and this - next to their current Wonder Woman run - may be the best art they've ever turned out. While I generally consider their style to be a rather light one, it actually ends up fitting the darkness of the story very well, making the whole book all the more captivating to read.
While it may very well be too uncomfortable for me to read again, I must say, the book certainly left a great impact on me, and I'm certainly glad I spent my $15 bucks, and 2 hours to read it.
With all the complaints that have been given about Kevin Smith's three year delay in finishing the series, the quality of the whole thing seems to get drowned out.
I was really struck by just how wonderful a spotlight it was for Black Cat. As the title suggests, this is Spider-Man AND the Black Cat. And it's all done very well. The characterization and banter between the characters is excellent. It plainly reminded me why I've quickly become a bit of a fan of Black Cat, and what a solid supporting character she can be to Spider-Man.
Now that's the first half of the book. The second half - while still focusing very much on Black Cat - takes a very different angle. Namely rape and sexual abuse. This is dark stuff. This is disturbing stuff. The kind of subject matter that is almost always uncomfortable to read. At the same time, it's a subject matter that should be read. People should understand what it's like to be raped. Both as an act of prevention against committing it, and as a compassion for the people who have suffered it. Smith details that perfectly. He shows exactly what it does to people. Shows just how truly horrible it is. And that, while uncomfortable, is ultimately powerful. Very powerful.
With that said, I would be remiss to mention the art. It's fantastic. I've always been a fan of the Dodson's, and this - next to their current Wonder Woman run - may be the best art they've ever turned out. While I generally consider their style to be a rather light one, it actually ends up fitting the darkness of the story very well, making the whole book all the more captivating to read.
While it may very well be too uncomfortable for me to read again, I must say, the book certainly left a great impact on me, and I'm certainly glad I spent my $15 bucks, and 2 hours to read it.
