Since her introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Widow has become one of the most popular superheroes around. Appearing in seven movies in the MCU and with a new solo film set to come out later this year, Black Widow (real name Natasha Romanoff) is known worldwide.

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While most people by now are familiar with the MCU's portrayal of Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson, Black Widow has been a Marvel Comics character for decades. Having existed for so long, the character has undergone a fair few changes, including quite a few from comic book to movie.

10 Black Widow Has Superpowers

The MCU often jokes that, along with her long-time friend Hawkeye, Black Widow is on a team of exceptionally powerful beings with no powers of her own; however, in the comics, the situation is quite different. Throughout the comics, Black Widow has demonstrated several superhuman abilities, including an anti-aging medical implant that allows her to appear and act young and vital for decades.

Through biomedical upgrades, she has also had superspeed (although not nearly on the level of Quicksilver), enhanced healing resistance, durability, and reflexes as well as a handful of other powers and abilities.

9 Black Widow Is A Villain (Sometimes)

The MCU makes an effort to suggest a dark and arguably villainous past for Natasha Romanoff before she began working for Shield. However, in the movies, she seems to always be fighting for good, but the comics often take a much different approach. In fact, Black Widow was originally introduced as an antagonist for Iron Man.

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The comic version of Black Widow has a list of crimes long enough for her to stand proudly alongside any self-respecting supervillain. Some of the worst things she has done in the comics include multiple attempts to kill the Avengers, the killing of her own brother, and, in one chilling edition of Ultimate Marvel Comics, murdering Hawkeye's entire family.

8 Black Widow's Appearance

It's fairly common in movie adaptations of classic comic book characters for their look to change somewhat, like Wolverine losing his trademark yellow spandex in the first X-Men movie. In the MCU however, most of the Avengers are fairly accurate representations of the costumes of their original counterparts.

Black Widow is one of the exceptions. While plenty of comic versions do show her wearing the classic black suit that is seen in the movies, her original look from the '60s featured dark hair, a mask, and even a cape.

7 Black Widow Has Had Romances With More Than Just The Hulk

Black Widow's romance with Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner was one of many subplots in the MCU. However, the Black Widow of the comics has had love affairs with several of the highest-profile superheroes in the universe of Marvel. One of the relationships fans of the MCU may find the most surprising is Hawkeye.

Though strictly a platonic friendship in the films, in the comics, Black Widow's first meetings with Hawkeye showed they had a clear attraction to each other. Romanoff has also had romantic stints with Iron Man, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Captain America, and more.

6 There Is More Than Just One Black Widow

There is a rich history in the world of comics of the mantle of a significant figure being held by several characters. In the case of Black Widow, that title has been held (excluding alternate universes) by three people. Natasha Romanoff is, of course, the most famous, but the name has also been held by Claire Voyant and Yelena Belova.

Claire Voyant's Black Widow was a medium, also known as Satan's Ambassador. She fought those who did evil as a way to gather their spirits for the Devil. Yelena Belova, meanwhile, had a similar Russian spy background to the Black Widow most are familiar with. She actually started out as an enemy of Natasha Romanoff (who at the time was known as Natasha Romanova) but then later became a part of Shield. With Florence Pugh playing Belova in the new Black Widow movie, there is still a chance for the MCU to pass on the mantle.

5 Black Widow Didn't Die For An Infinity Stone

In an iconic scene in the MCU, Black Widow sacrifices her life on Vormir so that the Avengers can get another infinity stone. However, in the comics, the death of Black Widow came in a far different way.

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Comic book deaths are something of a difficult topic to discuss, given all the resurrections followed by deaths followed by more resurrections. However, the most notable death of Black Widow came in the Secret Empire event. Interestingly enough, in this story, Black Widow's death came from none other than Captain America who at the time was working as an agent for the evil organization known as Hydra.

4 Black Widow And The Winter Soldier Have A Special History

In the movies, Black Widow has a very minor connection to Bucky Barnes. The two interact very few times and there really isn't anything to their relationship. The comics however show that the two have a much deeper connection than ever demonstrated in the films. As both characters are assassins trained and brainwashed in Russia, the fact they know each other does make sense (especially when you remember her anti-aging ability means, in the comics, she is far closer in age to Barnes and Rogers than her movie version).

In the comics, the two have known each other since Black Widow's initial training and work together as assassin agents of the KGB. They even have a romance that ends after it is discovered by their superiors, resulting in yet another brainwashing for Natasha.

3 Black Widow Is A Descendant Of Royalty (Maybe)

It's always difficult to truly understand all the elements of Black Widow's past. As a spy, she is understandable secretive and has been known to regularly bend the truth to suit her needs. However, Black Widow has claimed that she is part of the house of Romanov. The legendary family ruled over Russia for hundreds of years until the revolution.

Again, it is hard to know if this is true. However, of all the lies she has tactically told about her life, this would be among the strangest; therefore, it is fully possible that this claim is actually factual.

2 Black Widow Was Once Married

Natasha's list of romantic flings with various heroes has already been covered, however, there is one relationship in the comic version of Black Widow which was a little more serious but a lot less romantic.

In a display of extreme Russian patriotism, Black Widow was part of a marriage with fellow operative Alexei Shostakov. Shostakov would then become the Red Guardian, and the KGB forced the marriage to end.

1 Black Widow Was Once A Fashion Designer

Though she may be one of the best secret assassin spies in the Marvel comic universe, there was a time when Natasha Romanoff tried to live like an ordinary citizen by taking up a career as a fashion designer.

Black Widow is one of the few Avenger characters who never really got to have a life outside being a superhero (and supervillain), so seeing her try her best at a fairly mundane job was definitely interesting. She was however unsuccessful in her attempt to live normally, as adjusting to that lifestyle was too difficult.

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