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Black Widow (Belova)
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Creation & Design

Yelena Belova was created by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Jae Lee, introduced as a successor to Natasha Romanoff's Black Widow mantle.

Early Years

Yelena was trained in the Red Room, a secret Soviet program that produced elite female assassins. She eventually became a rival to Natasha Romanoff.

Character Development

Over the years, Yelena has evolved from a mere antagonist to a complex character with her own motivations, often grappling with her past while striving to be a hero in her own right.

Cultural Reception

Yelena Belova has been well-received by fans and critics alike, often praised for her depth and complexity as a character.

Character Details

Real Name:
Yelena Belova
First Appearance:
Marvel Knights: Wave 2: - Wizard Special Edition #1
Aliases:
Black Widow, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Avenger
Species:
Human
Gender:
Female
Affiliations:
S.H.I.E.L.D., Avengers, Thunderbolts
Abilities:
Expert martial artist, Master spy, Enhanced agility, Expert marksman
Equipment:
Widow's Bite, Various firearms, Grappling hooks
Weight:
130lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
green
Hair Color:
blonde

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Marvel Knights: Wave 2: - Wizard Special Edition #1
Wizard ⋅ 1999
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Marvel Knights: Wave 2: - Wizard Special Edition #1
 
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$10

Key Facts

16-page preview included in Wizard Magazine #90

1st partial cover appearance and sketch preview of Black Widow, Yelena Belova

Inhumans #5
Marvel ⋅ 1999
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Inhumans #5
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$60

Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Widow, Yelena Belova

[September 2022 - confirmed for the Thunderbolts movie]

⚠️ Debatable Firsts: it is disputed whether this is a full or cameo appearance. CGC labels this issue "1st appearance of the new Black Widow (Yelena Belova, face not shown)"

Black Widow #1
Marvel ⋅ 1999
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Black Widow #1
 
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$2
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$8
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$25

Key Facts

First issue of three-issue miniseries where Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova face-off to own the codename Black Widow

First mention of the Red Room where orphaned girls were trained in the Black Widow Ops program

Yelena Belova identity revealed

⚠ There is debate as to whether this issue is the first full appearance of Black Widow, Yelena Belova or Inhumans #5

Black Widow #1
Dynamic Forces ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1999
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Black Widow #1
 
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$8
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$20
High
$80

Key Facts

Variant cover art by JG Jones featuring Yelena Belova

Real name revealed in this issue, introduces herself as The Black Widow in Inhumans #5

Dynamic Forces edition

Black Widow #1
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1999
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Black Widow #1
 
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$3
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$9
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$35

Key Facts

1st (front) cover appearance of The Black Widow, Yelena Belova

Black Widow #2
Non-Key
Marvel ⋅ 1999
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Black Widow #2
 
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Key Facts

2nd issue of a three part miniseries where Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova face-off to own the codename Black Widow

Black Widow #3
Non-Key
Marvel ⋅ 1999
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Black Widow #3
 
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$2
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$10

Key Facts

3rd issue of a three part miniseries where Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova face-off to own the codename Black Widow

Black Widow: Pale Little Spider #1
Marvel ⋅ 2002
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Black Widow: Pale Little Spider #1
 
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$8

Key Facts

First solo series featuring Yelena Belova, the Black Widow

New Avengers Annual #1
Marvel ⋅ 2006
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New Avengers Annual #1
 
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Key Facts

Marriage of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, officiated by Stan Lee

Yelena Belova becomes Super-Adaptoid

Thunderbolts #128
Marvel ⋅ 2009
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Thunderbolts #128
 
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Key Facts

1st team appearance of new Thunderbolts roster led by Norman Osborn: Black Widow (Belova), Ant-Man (O'Grady), Ghost

It is later revealed that Yelena Belova is actually Natasha Romanov impersonating her

Black Widow #2
1:500 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
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Black Widow #2
 
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$8
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$20
High
$85

Key Facts

Variant virgin cover art by J. Scott Campbell

Spider-Man 2099: Exodus #4
Marvel ⋅ 2022
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Spider-Man 2099: Exodus #4
 
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$1
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$2
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$4

Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Widow 2099, Yelena Belova

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