Black Widow was one of many classic Marvel Comics heroes who had yet to appear in the new Ultimate Universe. The reformed Russian assassin makes her grand debut in the new setting in Ultimate Wolverine #3. However, her background is drastically different, tying her to several heroes more commonly associated with the X-Men.
Written by Chris Condon, with art by Alessandro Cappuccio, Ultimate Wolverine #3 finds the Winter Soldier on the hunt. His targets are two leaders of a Mutant-led organization called The Opposition. This European team is apparently the closest thing to a X-Men team in the new Ultimate Universe, being made up largely of Mutant rebels. This includes this world’s versions of Kitty Pryde and Gambit. However, The Opposition also has highly-trained human operatives, including this world’s Black Widow.
How is Black Widow’s Ultimate Universe origin story different than her normal origin story?
We see how Black Widow was recruited into The Opposition at the start of Ultimate Wolverine #3. She meets with Gambit and Kitty Pryde at a train station outside of Smolensk in Russia. She claims to have been sent by someone called Archangel and to want to join the fight against the Eurasia Republic. While they have plenty of soldiers in their current cell, Gambit and Kitty Pryde need a driver. The red-haired Russian woman confirms she can indeed handle a car and “do many things.”
From what we see of this Black Widow throughout the issue, her training is not dissimilar to that of the Earth-616 Natasha Romanov. Indeed, in terms of temperament and ability, she is virtually identical.
Disney+ Has the Best Bundle in the Business
Sign-up today for access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+
Sign-ups support Superhero Hype
via affiliate commission
The only thing that distinguishes the two heroines is who they turned to when they sought to abandon their old life.
The original Black Widow defected to the United States and joined the Avengers and SHIELD. Here, she defects to a team of European freedom fighters. While this Black Widow is more closely tied to the X-Men than Avengers, she is still a formidable ally to the cause of freedom.
Ultimate Wolverine #3 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
