|
This
page was last Modified on:
.
|
 |
Natalia
Romanova, a descendant of Russia's royal family, was found as a
young child by a Russian soldier known as Ivan Petrovitch, who
watched over her as she grew up and today works as her chauffeur.
Romanova proved to be a brilliant scholar and athlete as she
matured, and in her teens gained fame in the Soviet Union as a
ballerina. She married the renowned Soviet test pilot Alexi
Shostakov. It was decided at the KGB, the department of the Soviet
government which served as its intelligence agency and secret
police, that the Shostakovs would make good special operatives.
While Alexi Shostakov was away on a mission, he was informed of
the state's new plans for him, and told that from then on he could
have no contact with any of his past friends and acquaintances,
including even his own wife. Shostakov was then trained to become
the Red Guardian, a costumed agent who was intended to act as the
Soviet Union's counterpart to Captain America. Meanwhile, a Soviet
official told Natalia Shostakova that her husband had died in the
explosion of an experimental rocket he was testing. Distraught,
Natalia Shostakova said that she wanted to do something to be
worthy of the memory of her heroic husband. The KGB had
anticipated her reaction, and trained her to become the spy known
as the Black Widow. Some theorize that Romanova was trained in the
nearly mythical location known as the "Red Room."
At first the Black Widow did not act as a costumed agent. Her
first major field assignment was to infiltrate Stark Industries in
the United States and to assist her partner Boris Turgenov in the
assassination of the defector Professor Anton Vanko. The Black
Widow was thwarted repeatedly by the original Iron Man in her
various schemes against Stark Industries. The Black Widow used
Hawkeye, who was then sought as a criminal and who found himself
attracted to her, as an ally in some of her subversive activities.
The Widow was given her first costume in her fourth major mission
in the United States. However, her growing love for Hawkeye led to
a weakening of her resolve to continue her missions for the
Soviets. Hawkeye refused to act as a criminal any longer, and
successfully sought amnesty and Avengers membership.
The Black Widow fell into the hands of intelligence agents of the
People's Republic of China, who brainwashed her into serving them.
They directed her to attack the Avengers, but she freed herself
from the brainwashing, was reunited with Hawkeye, and defected to
the United States. She publicly revealed her true identity and
offered her services to S.H.I.E.L.D., which has made use of them
on numerous occasions.
Her romance with Hawkeye ended, as did her subsequent love affair
and partnership with Daredevil, although she remains friends with
both men. She was a member of the Champions of Los Angeles, and
serves from time to time as a member of the Avengers. She remains
active as a freelance adventurer. |
 |
|
