ADVANCED REVIEW! Mary Jane & Black Cat Beyond #1: Bad Girls

I have complete and total faith in author Jed MacKay, and it’s issues like this that validate that faith. This book is a very pleasant surprise. Everyone picking it up because they’re following the Beyond story in the Amazing Spider-Man title is going to love it and anyone who picks it up because they follow the Black Cat is going to love it. You know what? EVERYONE is going to love it. MacKay crafts a story that makes perfect sense, it’s definitely not a forced team-up or cash-grab kind of book There’s a very organic reason why Black Cat and Mary Jane come into contact wit each other and why they need to work together, MacKay has done a fantastic job of bringing them together in a story that only these two characters can solve. The dynamic between the two reminds me of them when they were both vying for Peter’s affections. Sort of a more playful Betty & Veronica with a bit of a naughty twist. Both ladies use their unique abilities while going up against a number of threats while Peter’s safety lies in the balance. It’s a really exciting adventure with a healthy dose of humor thrown in. Very enjoyable.

WOW C.F. Villa! We knew your talents from the monthly Black Cat series, but you’ve turned it up a notch! Given this chance to play in Spider-Man’s world a little more, I think it’s a no-brainer that he’ll be the regular artist on Amazing or a different Spider-Man title before too long. This issue is great because it’s Villa just playing in Spidey’s sandbox, You can tell he’s really having a good time. He does an exceptional job on both the action and drama panels in the issue and his page layouts are absolutely superb. This man has got a rocket strapped to him and he’s headed straight to the top!!