The Marvel Cinematic Universe underwent a serious change in the established order in Avengers: Endgame. Whereas the movie, which concluded the Infinity Saga, introduced again most of the characters who’d been worn out in Avengers: Infinity Conflict, different characters misplaced their lives making an attempt to undo Thanos’ plans. One notable loss was that of Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, who sacrificed herself to grab the Soul Stone.
Following this, a 2021 solo Black Widow movie was launched, introducing her adoptive sister Yelena Belova, performed by Florence Pugh. Yelena would develop in prominence in future MCU titles as a remnant of Natasha’s legacy, and performs a number one function in 2025’s Thunderbolts movie. She additionally has a storied historical past in Marvel Comics, being a rival and supporting character to the comics’ Black Widow because the Nineties.
Yelena Belova Was Launched As A Rival To Black Widow In 1999
Author Devin Grayson and artist J.G. Jones conceived Yelena Belova as a rival to Natasha Romanova. Her sketch was launched in Marvel Knights: Wave 2 Sketchbook #1 in January 1998, and he or she first appeared within the comics correct in Inhumans (Vol. 2) #5.
All this constructed as much as her debut story arc in Grayson and Jones’s 1999 Black Widow miniseries, the place she confronted off towards Natasha whereas each had been on separate missions to recuperate the identical bioweapon. Whereas Natasha had lengthy defected from the Soviet Union by this level, Yelena had remained loyal to her motherland, setting the 2 at odds.
Natasha was unimpressed by Yelena Belova’s naïve loyalty and eagerness, and advised her that she’d be in for a impolite awakening until she discovered to suppose for herself. When Yelena’s antagonism didn’t fade, Natasha conspired with Nick Fury to gaslight Yelena into switching identities together with her in order that she’d study the cruel realities of espionage and understand how unprepared she is.
Yelena would take these classes to coronary heart and transfer away to Cuba, the place she started working as a supermodel and businesswoman. Natasha crossed paths together with her once more throughout her 2005-2006 sequence, the place she grew to become a rogue agent because of a vendetta towards corrupt company executives linked to her personal previous.
When dealing with off towards Cuban legislation enforcement, Yelena bailed her out, prevented her arrest, and offered a safehouse and monetary help for Natasha’s ongoing campaign. She conspired with Natasha and Matt Murdock to destroy the Slicing Company, which was performing human experiments on a whole lot of ladies.
Yelena Belova would subsequently grow to be a villain once more in 2005’s The New Avengers, the place she led a rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. mining operation that was intercepted by the Avengers, inflicting her to assault them to cowl up her crimes. She’d proceed serving as an antagonist by later working with A.I.M. earlier than changing into a member of the Vanguard vigilante workforce alongside Blade, Micromax, and Dominic Fortune.
Yelena’s ethical ambiguity would ultimately be phased out within the 2020-2022 Black Widow sequence, the place she got here to Natasha’s rescue after the latter was brainwashed into forgetting her previous as a spy by Madame Hydra. Later, she labored with Yelena and Anya Corazon to destroy a malevolent cult conducting super-serum experiments. Bucky Barnes and Hawkeye would be part of the three to disband a human trafficking ring.
Through the 2020-2022 sequence, Yelena Belova adopted the moniker of the White Widow, changing into a steadfast ally of Natasha’s. She’d go on to have her personal solo sequence printed in 2023. Whereas the comics have Yelena broadly sharing the highlight with Natasha, the latter’s everlasting dying within the MCU has arrange Yelena to hold the Black Widow’s legacy going ahead.
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