Dark Web has been a lot of fun, and we’re only a couple of weeks into the event, but you know Mary Jane & Black Cat is going to bring that same fun and more. Jed MacKay returns to this dynamic duo after the excellent Beyond one-shot in January. These two have become friends, but they don’t exactly hang out on weekends. In this latest adventure, they both try to stay alive in New York as demons take over every inanimate object. Oh, and MJ has powers now?!
Mary Jane having powers isn’t much of a spoiler–it’s revealed in the preview, after all–and it remains a mystery throughout the issue. It’s the main draw in the narrative while the action and internal monologuing of Black Cat entertain throughout. MacKay has dropped both characters into a chaotic situation, so it’s not like Mary Jane can explain these powers so quickly. Given the mystery surrounding her two kids and new love, there’s much left in question as the story progresses.
As the story progresses, we start to understand Mary Jane’s limitations with her powers and get the leading hook of what this series will be about. Call Black Cat and Mary Jane the wildcards that might upend the Goblin Queen and Ben Reilly’s plan.
Art is by Vincenzo Carratu with colors by Brian Reber, and I have to say one of the biggest wins about Dark Web is the fun demon designs. We get plenty here starting with newspapers with teeth. Carratu’s strength is his angles on the action, which are appropriately dramatic when necessary. Mary Jane’s powers look good too. The full-page splash cliffhanger page is also excellently dramatic.
The problem with newspaper demons is they can use the wind to get ya!
Credit: Marvel
There’s also a backup in this issue with art by Michael Dowling that’s a delight! Black Cat steals Dr. Doom’s mask, and you won’t believe why. It’s basically an extended montage of how she escapes Doom, and it has a lighthearted feel.
The only fault with this issue is it’s not as good as the last time these two characters teamed up. There’s less bonding and connection since Mary Jane is hiding how she got her powers. There’s also tension between them due to Peter as Black Cat feels awkward about her newfound interest in him. The story also has to navigate the mystery of “what Spider-Man did,” which feels unnecessarily awkward. Ultimately there are a lot of questions and very few answers, at least in this first issue.
Call me crazy, but I didn’t see how fun inanimate objects becoming demons would be, and it continues to be super fun in Mary Jane & Black Cat. The dynamic between these characters is rife for further exploration. While there may be too many mysteries going on right now, you’ll likely be here for the ride, thanks to Jed MacKay’s mastery of writing both characters.
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