Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do
Kevin Smith and Terry Dodson
Spider-Man and the Black Cat investigate a new drug pusher, Mr. Brownstone. Their search leads them to a sinister plot involving murder, drugs, gangs, and heinous crimes.
Review
“The Evil That Men Do” certainly lives up to its name. What begins as a drug investigation quickly evolves into a tale involving murder, sexual assault, and gang violence. The plot itself is interesting and full with potential. The narrative is mostly linear, but Smith makes great use of time jumps and flashbacks to reveal details the moment they are necessary, improving the reading experience. The real superstar in this story is the art. From the drawings, to the inks and colors, Dodson and crew give us captivating and beautiful panels throughout.
The characterization and dialogue are not great. Spider-Man and the Black Cat don’t act or talk like themselves. The first few issues sees Peter acting like a starstruck teenager despite the fact that he is married. The same thing happens with Felicia. We know that she regrets breaking up with Peter (and that eventually they’d fall into each other’s arms a few years later), but to see her acting like an infatuated schoolgirl does a disservice to her previous character development into a stronger and more independent character.
Overall, the story had a lot of potential. It could’ve been an exploration into the darkest corners of an evil mind. It could have delved into the process of healing for victims of evil. At the very least it could have developed Felicia from an infatuated girl into a stronger hero, wherein she’d realize that while Peter brought out the best in her, she was a hero in her own right. In the end, it was none of these things.
3.5 out of 5 stars
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