Capitalizing on the otherworldly success of The Avengers on the big screen and Matt Fraction‘s Hawkeye in print, Marvel has given Natasha Romanov one of the best standalone series of her career. Black Widow #1 starts with a stunning 1970s retro cover of Romanov overlooking a Moscow/New York cityscape…and it doesn’t let up from there. As she strives to make right all of her wrongs, Natasha receives job details from her lawyer and ‘account manager,’ Isaiah, which takes her globe trotting from Berlin to Central Park to Dubai.

Writer Nathan Edmondson makes it crystal clear that this issue (and series as a whole) is all about one thing: atonement. This word alone, especially as it applies to an ex-KGB assassin, provides depth of character and purpose for a woman trying to clear her conscience of the sins of her past. Edmondson gives us a tight script with well-placed narration that keeps the reader engaged and informed. He’s received some of the most praise for creating a strong female lead without sexually objectifying her. While this is well deserved, there isn’t an ounce of her sultry past, which is fine, just as long as she doesn’t become an emotionless automaton.

I hope Edmondson quotes Jerry Maguire to Phil Noto on a daily basis, “you…complete me.” Noto’s artwork is unequivocally fantastic and truly makes this series whole. The retro pencils aren’t just on the cover, he maintains a similar vibe throughout the issue. His sketches give this series a unique and gritty, yet refined, look to the Widow. Flawless.

The third issue is already out, but I wanted to start with the first to give those a chance who missed it last month to start from the beginning. Like Hawkeye, grounded and imperfect characters are becoming the norm in the Marvel universe, especially ones that readers can relate to. While most of us aren’t soviet assassins turned Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Natasha lives in a small apartment, craves a glass of wine at the end of the day, and befriends a neighborhood cat. If any of that is you, or you just want to see someone with a dark past turn on the light, then pick this up.

Story: Nathan Edmondson Art: Phil Noto
Story: 8 Art: 10 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy