I have a confession to make.  Much as I love the Black Widow, there was a part of me willing for this to fail, because I desperately don't need another 3.99 title to add to my monthly standing order.  Unfortunately for my wallet, I really liked this a lot. 

I've not read Marjorie Liu's work on other books like Dark Wolverine, but this is a story that has hooked me right in.  It starts with an atmospheric opening, showing Natasha meeting an old spying acquaintance, before she is attacked by a mysterious enemy in the street, who cuts the Widow open (apparently to have a root around her insides -- bleah!) and leaves her bleeding to death.  We have no idea who has arranged this attack or indeed why they've done it in such a fashion.  Still, lots happens but it's all completely comprehensible, with a compelling mystery to hang the rest of the first storyarc on. 

However, along with the mystery Liu mixes several other elements making the book a must read.  First there's that aforementioned atmosphere.  The meeting at the start has that post-Cold war feeling of old comrades meeting again.  It's got that sense of a spy tale, but nicely set against a superhero backdrop, creating just the right tone for a Black Widow story.  Secondly, Liu has a nice handle on the characters.  Nat is intelligent and coolly professional, but also demonstrates both her convictions (confronting a wife-beater) and her affection for a certain Mr Barnes in a lovely dinner scene.

I had a concern that right after Nat is attacked the story was going to switch gears and focus on the men in her life (Stark, Logan and Bucky) investigating and coming to her rescue.  This would have been a disservice to such a strong character.  However, while they do start looking into the incident, the focus flicks back and forth and is almost completely on Natasha throughout.

My other concern going in was the art.  Acuna is always hit and miss to me, because I feel his work often comes off as kind of computerised.  In this title it seems to really work.  It seems more pencil and ink based in a way, with some exceptional use of shadow.  Together with a great colouring job, the action is dynamic, the layouts interesting and the character work lush.  I love his version of the Widow, all jaunty beret and retro, 60s style clothing cuts.  She's gorgeous here.

Throw in a nifty little Black Widow saga back up to bring you up to speed and you've an excellent little package about a real favourite character of mine who really deserves this kind of effort.  It could well keep you coming back for more.