Black Widow (1999) #1

Black Widow (1999)

by Devin Grayson, J.G. Jones (Artist)

Natasha Romanoff has been assigned to track a new bio weapon created by Dr. Didier Ines. With Yelena Belova, the soon-to-be new Black Widow, shadowing Natasha, the pair may be in for more trouble than they realize.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Action

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1999

About the author

Devin Grayson is an avid gamer, former acting student, and enthusiastic reader fortunate enough to have turned a lifelong obsession with fictional characters into a dynamic writing career. She has a B.A. from Bard College, where she studied creative writing with novelist Mona Simpson. Best known for her work on the Batman titles for DC Comics, Devin has been a regular writer on Catwoman, Nightwing, and The Titans, and contributed to the award-winning No Man’s Land story arc. With the publication of Batman: Gotham Knights in March of 2000, she became the first (and, sadly, only as of 2020) female to create, launch and write an ongoing Batman title.

Additional career highlights include the launch of the critically acclaimed series Omni for Humanoids, Doctor Strange: The Fate of Dreams, an original novel featuring Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, and USER—a highly personal three-part, creator-owned miniseries about gender identity and online role-playing, originally published by Vertigo and newly available as a collected edition hardcover through Image. Devin is also the creator of Yelena Belova, a Marvel character staring in the upcoming MCU Black Widow movie (played by Florence Pugh), Damien Darhk, a DC character now appearing regularly in CW’s Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow (played by Neal McDonough), and Catalina Flores, a DC character recently featured as the super-villain Tarantula in The Lego Batman Movie.

Frequently cited for compelling character development and nuanced exploration of complex themes, Devin’s work has been showcased in mainstream media such as USA Today and Working Woman as well as in alternative press such as The Village Voice, The Advocate, and Curve magazine. Over the years, she has written in several different media and genres, from comic books and novels to video game scripts and short essays. She is currently working on an original graphic novel for Berger Books.

Devin lives in Northern California with her husband, step-son, devoted Early Alert Canines Diabetic Alert Dog, and somewhat less devoted cat. Openly bisexual, she is a passionate advocate for the GLBTQ community, as well as being a committed environmentalist, and a public speaker for T1 Diabetes awareness and Diabetic Alert Dogs. She is always happy to take on a new challenge, especially if it involves making some new fictional friends.

Reviews

[True Sankofa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing the new Black Widow movie I had to revisit this story, the first Black Widow series after many one shots. I remember this being the first Widow comic I got and being blown away and it still holds up today. Great story by Grayson and Jones's art does not disappoint. This is the first appearance of Yelena Belova (the blonde Black Widow) in comics as well.

[Hannah McManus · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 and a half? Don't care for the artwork at all, and while the premise is interesting, so far there hasn't been an overwhelming amount of engagement. Perhaps the next two issues will be more so.
I just wish Nat (and Yelena) wasn't drawn so sexual in overall design and every panel.

[Lotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very first dive (or one could rather say dip!) into the comic book world has been officially made thanks to this beautiful example I picked up in a book shop. I didn't plan on buying comics but come on... it's Natasha. How could I not have a peek when she graces the cover so fiercely?

The pleasure of meeting Yelena for the first time is all mine. Especially in anticipation of her first appearance on the silver screen. I should scour the shops for the rest of this series because this leaves me wanting more!

[HTFG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love getting Black Widow's origin story.

[Xavier Marturet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a pleasure to re-read this limited serie. Just the first issue and I'm aware I am in front of one of the most perfect stories of Black Widows with the excellent artwork of J. G. Jones.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

First black widow comic I've read and oh wow shes insanely impressive!!

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iconic cover and art style in general of hers
Natasha with her ballet shoes, red manicure, avengers assemble and her and daredevil magazine or smth and her marriage picture with Alexei
Oh yelena is the villain here
The fact that they've written what they say in Russian with English characters- would've preferred either straight up russian
"And I am a student from the red Room in Moscow. And yes, it is still active. You are it's greatest legend, Natalia Romonova, even though you are no longer truly russian."
[...] "That's right. I am the first student in the history of the red Room the surpass your marks. I may lack your experience, but I am your equal or your better in every other aspect.
Or so it says on paper"
Meh the Russian American thing back at it
"I have not forgotten what the black widow is at her core-- a spy."
Yelena's suit is an iconic look of hers but her entire abdomen is exposed and I don't think she'd do that on a mission
"I respect and admire you romonova but you are getting older"
Lmao Yelena on her van
I believe I read this run when I first got into comics but yea it's a classic , I like me a character I like being an antihero and the plot is rich

[Felipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first issue. Introduces us to Yelena and her role, where Natasha stands in that point in time, and we get to see both of them in action. Good little hint of politics, sick art style, and two great looking characters.
Would love to continue reading this series, might have to look forward to purchasing a paperback on this.

[Books & Vodka Sodas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid start to this story arc. I knew going in that Nat and Yelena were more so rivals.

[ana (taylor’s version) ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ily Natalia

[tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHH! My two great loves. One Russian and one Ukrainian, but both deadly assassins.

[Ruby Hilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

the art is amazing in this and i love the rivalry between yelena and natasha.

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

🏠

[☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

dang... that wasn't really nice, yelena. natasha t tellement mon icone je saute pour toi, j'ai trop aimé ce jeu du chat et de la souris entre elles deux.

[الحسن التام · Rating 5 out of 5]

و الحق حبيبي على العسكرية و اقص الشعر و البس طاقية