The Widow runs in the shadows now, moving thru the vast complex like some eldritch wraith, and when she’s seen— it’s only when she wants to be. And when she strikes, it is without warning… and without mercy.
I’m not going to post the whole issue, here, but just rest assured there are a few straight pages of Black Widow being badass narrated with in florid Claremontese. I love how smart she fights in this whole sequence, not just these panels: using stealth and her surroundings, only going hand to hand when she needs to. There’s something very cerebral in her approach, ruthless and true to character.
From Marvel Two-in-One #10, by Chris Claremont and Bob Brown.
[video]
Ben: I got it!
But having the bomb is a far cry from holding it…
Ben: My hands… friction… burning ‘em! Can’t…hold on…the pain!
And yet hold he does.
Goon: Kill the fool— Agamemnon commands it!
Natasha: And the Black Widow says no!!
This sets up the major damage for the issue. Ben has to rope up this giant bomb, a tremendous feat of strength, endurance, and will. And Natasha has to help him by fighting off all the goons single-handed. Teamwork!
Mostly though: Natasha used to refer to herself in the third person, with an article. Like a supervillain. And I love it.
From Marvel Two-in-One #10, by Chris Claremont and Bob Brown.
Ben: Now we’re talkin’widder, I… uh, what d’ya think yer doin’?
Natasha: Getting us out of here,of course. Could you peel the body mold off my back, please?
Ben: Huh?
Natasha: The first thing a good agent learns is never go on a sticky job without a gimmick— in this case, a surprise package Ivan worked up from SHIELD stores.
Ben: Wow.
Natasha: Voilà! One organic body mold containing organic weaponry… completely undetectable from even the most sophisticated sensors. the modules fit together like so— forming a small, but efficient, field disruptor rifle. The only drawback is, you have about ten seconds to break thru that door before this toy overloads and fries me to a crisp. Can you do it?
Okay, so this is the origin of the weird false-back that appeared more famously in Marvel Fanfare. This is a bit to “wat” for me, and I’d really like it if Natasha had secret weapons that didn’t force her to disrobe. Still, there’s a remarkable lack of cheesecakery in this panel sequence, and I do appreciate Natasha’s no-nonsense approach.
Even if this gadget is too comic book for its own good, I do wish Natasha would use more crazy gadgetry in general. It seems like such an obvious overlap between the superhero and spy genres. Claremont tried to make Ivan a sort of Q, which is one of the few actual good uses of Ivan Marvel ever came up with. But now that he’s gone, that’s an easy hook for a new character, right?
On the subject of teamwork, note the symmetry here: Ben can’t knock down the force field without Natasha’s gizmo-rifle, but Natasha can’t knock down the door without Ben’s super strength. They’re both contributing in meaningful ways to their mutual escape, even if I’m cutting some of Ben’s panels off.
From Marvel Two-in-One #10, by Chris Claremont and Bob Brown.
Ben: Ya hear me, Aggie—I’m not gonna let yaaaaa szzrack!
Natasha: A nice try, Mr. Grimm. But as long as that force field stays up, neither of us is going anywhere.
Ben: At least I’m tryin’, lady, which is a lot more’n I can say for you!— Even if Aggie did take away them stringers o’ yours! What’s with you, Widder? Aggie talked like you an’ him wuz old frineds or sumthin’…
Natasha: Back off, Grimm! We were— I knew Agamemnon as… Andrei Rostov— a long, long time ago. He’s changed a lot since then. Still… I agree with you, it’s time we made our move.
So Ben and Natasha get captured and brought to the evil floating fortress of Natasha’s college ex!! Who was apparently a classics major very determined to use his degree in the real world.
The introduction of Andrei Rostov brought Natasha’s Total Love Interest number up to 4. While I do think the early stories (and the later ones…) have trouble thinking up ways to connect to Natasha’s backstory beyond lovers and would-be lovers, Natasha’s romantic life only became tricky to sort out when decades of continuity and rehashed plotlines piled on top of it. You know, like any comic character. (lol black widow is such a slut she sleeps with everyone lol)
I’m not really a fan of Bob Brown’s pencilling, but I can’t deny he draws a killer eyebrow. That’s a great stinkeye she gives Ben in the middle bottom panel.
From Marvel Two-in-One #10, by Chris Claremont and Bob Brown.
Natasha: Lord, no! That couple— they’re in my way! And I can’t swerve around them— the trees are too thick.
In desperation, Natasha hits the wheel and clutch together, the car slewing into a tight, sickening curve… but there’s so little room.
Alicia: Beeennn!
Ben: Gotta throw Alicia outa the way! Gotta—
Too little room!
Marvel Two-In-One is the Ben Grimm Team Up Power Hour, so that’s why Natasha crashes her car into him. (Next time I crash my car, I’m totally going to yell out “I’m crashing my car!” while I do it.)
From Marvel Two-In-One #10, by Chris Claremont and Bob Brown.