Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat #9
Writer: Kate Leth
Penciler: Brittney L. Williams
Colorist: Megan Wilson
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Release Date: 8/24/16
Price Tag: $3.99
Patsy Walker has been a middle ground book for me. It’s a title I have fun with, but not a series that blows me away.
Plot
Did you think Hedy would leave Patsy’s life after the last arc? Well if you did, you would be wrong because Hedy still wants to make Patsy’s life a living hell, literally.
Story
Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat adds a new supporting character to it’s roster, the teenage mom/vampire/former X-Man, Jubliee. When I first saw the panel of her pouring coffee for Patsy, I said WOW Marvel really doesn’t know what to do with this character. But after finishing the issue I kind of had fun with her in the story. I still don’t know if it makes total sense for her to be in this series, but I am going to keep an open mind.
Sadly, Jubilee is used to replace a beloved character from the team, She Hulk. Patsy is still dealing with the absence of her best friend, and I wish this issue focused more on Patsy’s feelings for She Hulk. But, luckily, it looks like with the cliffhanger of this issue Patsy is going to have to go head-to-head with these feelings she’s been avoiding since issue 1. Up to this point Patsy has been a fun loving Hellcat because she wanted to avoid any other feelings. Hopefully after this arc Patsy will be able to better balance her emotions.
The weaker storyline in this issue was the main story with Hedy. When it was announced that Hedy was going to be in this series I was really excited, but so far her appearances have been pretty two-dimensional. She wants to wreck Patsy’s life, but we don’t really know why. She has no motive other than that they are frenemies from high school. If Hedy is going to be a main “villain” in this series I hope we get to learn more about her as a character. In previous incarnations of Hellcat, I always liked Hedy and Patsy’s more complicated friendship.
Art
I like the cartoony nature of the art in Patsy Walker because it fits the fun tone the series is going for. I especially love all the little easter eggs Brittney L. Williams adds. Like in this issue Jubilee’s Wolverine plush doll and Patsy’s mug that says “Magneto Was Old”. These easter eggs make a second read fun and rewarding.
The artwork and writing work perfectly together in making Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat a fun/funny book to read. One of my favorite scenes in this issue is when Jubilee shows her vampire teeth to Patsy, and Patsy makes a comment that Jubilee’s teeth are even sharper than hers. This was pretty funny because the artist likes to use anime influences in her art, and likes to show Patsy’s expressions with her sharp cat teeth.
My only negative towards the artwork is some of the inking. The outlines could be a bit darker. The lines in the book are sometimes inconsistent and has slightly slanted outlines.
Verdict
Once again I had fun with this issue of Patsy Walker, but the story is still not blowing me away. If they expanded upon Hedy and Patsy’s arc more I think this series would be heading in a good direction.