‘Black Cat’ #1 Review

‘Black Cat’ #1 Review: Felicia Hardy’s New Direction

Chris Hernandez | August 21, 2025

August 21, 2025

G. Willow Wilson, Gleb Melnikov, and the rest of the creative team deliver an entertaining and fresh take on Felicia Hardy in Black Cat #1. Coming off of Jed MacKay’s fan-favorite run, which nailed the character’s fun-loving attitude, Wilson continues to showcase why Felicia is one of Marvel’s most beloved characters.

Felicia Hardy has always been known as a thief, but recent events have forced her to consider a new path. Spider-Man, who used to inadvertently keep lower-level villains away from her heists, has been distracted by the Hellgate storyline and is no longer answering her calls. Now, with more villains getting in her way, Felicia realizes she needs to make a change. Her only choice is to step up as a hero herself and clean up the streets.

This setup is great because it ties directly into the larger Marvel universe without making the comic feel too overwhelming. Wilson masterfully weaves in elements from the current Amazing Spider-Man storyline, such as Spider-Man’s colder, more detached personality. While some readers might be a little lost on why Spider-Man is acting so strange, Wilson does a great job of making the story accessible. This issue is less about the grand plot and more about the character’s journey, which is why Wilson’s writing shines.

Marvel

She perfectly captures Felicia’s voice (witty, confident, and a little selfish) but also adds layers of genuine concern for Spider-Man. Felicia’s decision to become a hero isn’t a selfless act; it’s a funny, self-serving proclamation that still shows she cares. It’s a great way to start her on a new journey while staying true to the character’s morally gray nature.

Gleb Melnikov’s artwork is a major highlight of this issue. He completely understood the assignment, delivering sleek and expressive linework that perfectly matches the story’s tone. The action sequences are dynamic, and his talent for drawing Felicia and her unique “bad luck” probability powers really shines, especially in her fight with the Lizard.

The entire art team is phenomenal. Brian Reber’s colors pop off the page, using contrasting colors to give each scene a vibrant, energetic feel. Together with Joe Caramagna’s lettering, the creative team showcases their immense talents, making every panel a treat for the eyes.

Marvel

While Black Cat #1 is a strong debut, it’s not without a few minor flaws. The use of fourth-wall breaks, where Felicia speaks directly to the reader, feels a bit unoriginal, especially in a world with so many other fourth-wall-breaking characters. Some of the jokes don’t quite land, as Felicia’s devil-may-care attitude sometimes lessens the impact of key moments.

However, these are minor issues that don’t detract from the overall enjoyment. The comic successfully sets up an interesting new status quo for Felicia Hardy and leaves you wanting to see what happens next. If you’re looking for a fun, character-driven story with fantastic art, you should definitely pick this one up.

‘Black Cat’ #1 Review: Felicia Hardy’s New Direction

Black Cat #1 successfully sets up an interesting new status quo for Felicia Hardy and leaves you wanting to see what happens next. If you’re looking for a fun, character-driven story with fantastic art, you should pick this one up.

8.0
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‘Black Cat’ #1 Review

‘Black Cat’ #1 Review: Felicia Hardy’s New Direction

August 21, 2025

G. Willow Wilson, Gleb Melnikov, and the rest of the creative team deliver an entertaining and fresh take on Felicia Hardy in Black Cat #1. Coming off of Jed MacKay’s fan-favorite run, which nailed the character’s fun-loving attitude, Wilson continues to showcase why Felicia is one of Marvel’s most beloved characters.

Felicia Hardy has always been known as a thief, but recent events have forced her to consider a new path. Spider-Man, who used to inadvertently keep lower-level villains away from her heists, has been distracted by the Hellgate storyline and is no longer answering her calls. Now, with more villains getting in her way, Felicia realizes she needs to make a change. Her only choice is to step up as a hero herself and clean up the streets.

This setup is great because it ties directly into the larger Marvel universe without making the comic feel too overwhelming. Wilson masterfully weaves in elements from the current Amazing Spider-Man storyline, such as Spider-Man’s colder, more detached personality. While some readers might be a little lost on why Spider-Man is acting so strange, Wilson does a great job of making the story accessible. This issue is less about the grand plot and more about the character’s journey, which is why Wilson’s writing shines.

Marvel

She perfectly captures Felicia’s voice (witty, confident, and a little selfish) but also adds layers of genuine concern for Spider-Man. Felicia’s decision to become a hero isn’t a selfless act; it’s a funny, self-serving proclamation that still shows she cares. It’s a great way to start her on a new journey while staying true to the character’s morally gray nature.

Gleb Melnikov’s artwork is a major highlight of this issue. He completely understood the assignment, delivering sleek and expressive linework that perfectly matches the story’s tone. The action sequences are dynamic, and his talent for drawing Felicia and her unique “bad luck” probability powers really shines, especially in her fight with the Lizard.

The entire art team is phenomenal. Brian Reber’s colors pop off the page, using contrasting colors to give each scene a vibrant, energetic feel. Together with Joe Caramagna’s lettering, the creative team showcases their immense talents, making every panel a treat for the eyes.

Marvel

While Black Cat #1 is a strong debut, it’s not without a few minor flaws. The use of fourth-wall breaks, where Felicia speaks directly to the reader, feels a bit unoriginal, especially in a world with so many other fourth-wall-breaking characters. Some of the jokes don’t quite land, as Felicia’s devil-may-care attitude sometimes lessens the impact of key moments.

However, these are minor issues that don’t detract from the overall enjoyment. The comic successfully sets up an interesting new status quo for Felicia Hardy and leaves you wanting to see what happens next. If you’re looking for a fun, character-driven story with fantastic art, you should definitely pick this one up.

‘Black Cat’ #1 Review: Felicia Hardy’s New Direction

Black Cat #1 successfully sets up an interesting new status quo for Felicia Hardy and leaves you wanting to see what happens next. If you’re looking for a fun, character-driven story with fantastic art, you should pick this one up.

8.0

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