"The Black Widow"-From Enemy Spy to Avenger! (60's-70's)

The Black Widow (Natalia Romanova / Natasha Romanoff) started her career as a Russian spy and enemy to Iron Man, in "Tales of Suspense"#52 (Apr. 1964). She was created by Stan Lee (Editor & plotter), Don Rico (scripter) & Don Heck (artist). Her abilities included---athlete, gymnast, acrobat, multi-skilled martial artist, proficient with weaponry, trained for espionage, and also a gifted ballerina, besides!

Natasha had recruited Hawkeye / Clint Barton (who was in love with her) to be her ally against Iron Man, although both of them eventually changed sides (Hawkeye did first, and had become an Avenger). Before she switched sides, The Black Widow joined Power Man & The Swordsman against the Avengers ("The Avengers"#29-July 1966), but allied herself with them by #32 and defected to the U.S.!

The Black Widow originally had a black and gray costume (w / mask) and black hair. She changed to her current sleek black costume and red hair in "The Amazing Spider-Man"#86 (July 1970); she also gained a solo series in "Amazing Adventures"#1-8 (Aug. 1970-Sept. 1971). She then joined Daredevil in his series (#81-124), with the title changing to "Daredevil and The Black Widow". She was also allied with S.H.I.E.L.D.! The Black Widow then joined the outsider group "The Champions" (which had a 17 issue run from Oct. 1975), with the Ghost Rider,Hercules, the Angel,and the Iceman. In later years, she became a full-time member of the Avengers.


Live-Action Film Appearances---"Iron Man 2" (2010); "The Avengers" (2012); and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014); played to marvelous perfection by Scarlett Johansson! She will reprise the role in "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" in 2015!

Animated Film Appearances---"Ultimate Avengers #1&2" (voiced by Olivia d'Abo); "Iron Man; Rise of Technovore" (voiced by Clare Grant); and "Avengers Confidential: The Black Widow & The Punisher" (voiced by Jennifer Carpenter).

The Black Widow has advanced from a minor villain to one of Marvel's top super-heroines. Here's hoping that she will get a solo movie in the near future. She deserves it!!!