Superhero Origins: Black Widow

She’s gone from Russian Super Spy to a freelance member of S.H.I.E.L.D. Welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be exploring the comic book origin of Black Widow. As with most comic book characters there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a characters past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline which enfolded in tales of suspense and were expanded on in The Avengers and the amazing Spiderman. Born in Russia, Natasha Romanoff was orphaned as the result of Nazi setting her family’s home on fire. Drawn to a Russian soldier, he raised her as his own daughter. Natasha’s abilities as an athlete and a scholar were recognized by the Soviet Union where she was drafted into the KGB as a special operative.

Overtime she became the best recruit and was dubbed The Black Widow. On her first field assignment she was asked to assist with the assassination and Professor Anton Vanko who was defected to Stark Industries in America. Foiled by Iron Man, her employers gave her custom and high tech gadgets that enabled her to scale walls and grapple across buildings.

Further tipping the scale in her favor, she enlisted the services of a novice custom adventurer named Hawkeye. Charming him into becoming a pawn of the Russians, the duo repeatedly clashed with Iron Man. However, during one battle, Black Widow sustained a major injury and was carried off to safety by Hawkeye. Finally returning romantic feelings toward the archer, she began to experience a diminishing sense of loyalty to her country. As a result Russian operatives were tasked with her assassination. Failing to eliminate her, they were instructed to capture and brainwash her in order to her to loyal servitude.

Succeeding, Black Widow was instructed to face off against The Avengers, a team of super hero’s that Hakai have recently joined in order to clear his name. Eventually shaking off the effects of the mind control, Natasha made immense with the group by helping them tackle enemy organizations. Having proven herself a friend and effecting to the United States, she made her bid to join The Avengers. In the process, she became the team’s 16th member. However, when Nick Fury asked her to spy on her former employers on the behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D, she decided to withdraw her membership and break off her complicated relationship Hawkeye. Despite this decision, she would occasionally rejoin forces with the organization all while taking on a solo career.

Personally designing a sleek new black costume she incorporated bracelets that could fire electric widow bites. As a freelance agent that frequently worked for S.H.I.E.L.D, Natasha Romanova has spend her career working for both the good and the bad sides of the MarvelUniverse. Recently she made her film appearance in Iron Man 2 as Natasha Romanoff, a characterization based of from modern ultimate Avengers persona.