Comic Book Page Analysis: Marvel Fanfare #10

Image credit: Marvel Comics

The above image is Page 1 of Marvel Fanfare Issue 10 (Aug1983) by

Writer: Ralph Macchio

Penciller: George Pérez

Inker: Brett Breeding

Letterer: Tom Orzechowski

Colorist: Petra Scotese

Editor: Al Milgrom

Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

This is the opening splash page of "Widow", a story featuring Black Widow as the lead character. Also appearing in the story are Nick Fury and the S.H.I.E.L.D agents along with an array of superheroes making cameo appearances.

Border and Credits

The solitary panel on this page is bordered by thick black stripes at the top and the bottom; and by a similar thick white stripe on the left on which the title "Widow" is displayed. Adjoining the title is the close-up side view of the titular character Black Widow. 

This makes the panel look like a metaphorical window through which the readers are gazing into the life of Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

The black colour of the bordering stripes symbolize not only the colour associated with the lead character but also the dark-gritty nature of the story.

The bottom stripe also serves as the credits section. 

     

Panel 1

A high-angle shot of the inside view of the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. It flaunts the humongous and technologically advanced place as mentioned in the first caption box.

Nick Fury is walking across the room. He is shown smoking a cigar to establish that he is an authority figure, as stated in the second caption box.

 Nick Fury has always been a tough guy. His thought balloons however, explain his current predicament. He wants to remain in control, but is getting old and his authority is being challnged. This foreshadows one of the central themes of this storyline.