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Yelena Belova

Updated: 12/20/2025, 2:54:42 PM Wikipedia source

Yelena Belova (Russian: Еле́на Бело́ва) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Devin Grayson and artist J. G. Jones, the character appeared as a sketch in Marvel Knights: Wave 2 Sketchbook #1 (January 1998) before debuting a year later in the second volume of Inhumans #5 (January 1999) by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Jae Lee. Trained as an assassin in the Russian-based Red Room, Belova became the second modern-era character to use the Black Widow moniker, after Natasha Romanova. Originally sent to kill Romanova, the two became allies and have since worked together. Belova also became a version of Super-Adaptoid as a member of Hydra and A.I.M., before being freed and adopting the codename White Widow. Belova has been part of various teams and organisations including S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Thunderbolts. Florence Pugh portrays the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in the films Black Widow (2021), Thunderbolts* (2025), and the Disney+ miniseries Hawkeye (2021) and Marvel Zombies (2025). Pugh's version is depicted as the adopted sister of Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, and the adopted daughter of Alexei Shostakov and Melina Vostokoff.

Infobox

Publisher
Marvel Comics
First appearance
mw- Design:Marvel Knights: Wave 2 Sketchbook (January 1998)Character:Inhumans (January 1999)
Created by
Devin GraysonJ.G. JonesPaul JenkinsJae Lee
Species
Human
Place of origin
Moscow, Russia
Team affiliations
Russian FederationS.H.I.E.L.D.Hydra / A.I.M.Thunderbolts
Notable aliases
Black WidowSuper-AdaptoidWhite Widow
Abilities
Expert marksman and mastery of various weapons Master martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant Expert gymnast, acrobat and aerialist

Tables

List rankings for Yelena Belova · Reception › Listicles
Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources
Publication
Comic Book Resources
List
10 Most Powerful Russians In Comics
Rank
7
Scary Mommy
Scary Mommy
Publication
Scary Mommy
List
195+ Heroic Marvel Female Characters
Rank
—
Screen Rant
Screen Rant
Publication
Screen Rant
List
10 Best Versions Of Black Widow From Marvel Comics
Rank
—
The Red Room's Most Powerful Members
The Red Room's Most Powerful Members
Publication
The Red Room's Most Powerful Members
List
—
Publication
List
Rank
Ref.
Comic Book Resources
10 Most Powerful Russians In Comics
7
Scary Mommy
195+ Heroic Marvel Female Characters
—
Screen Rant
10 Best Versions Of Black Widow From Marvel Comics
—
The Red Room's Most Powerful Members
—
· Collected editions
Black Widow: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Black Widow: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Title
Black Widow: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Issues
#1–3
Cover dates
June – August 1999
Writer
Devin Grayson
Penciller
J. G. Jones
Description
The Marvel Knights limited series, titled "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", has Natasha question her claim to the role of Black Widow when she is challenged by the younger spy Yelena as both track down a biotoxin. Grayson and Jones first introduced Yelena in Inhumans #5 to use her in this series.
Black Widow
Black Widow
Title
Black Widow
Issues
#1–3
Cover dates
January – March 2001
Writer
Devin Grayson and Greg Rucka
Penciller
Scott Hampton
Description
The second volume of Black Widow to feature Natasha and Yelena.
Black Widow: Pale Little Spider
Black Widow: Pale Little Spider
Title
Black Widow: Pale Little Spider
Issues
#1–3
Cover dates
June – August 2002
Writer
Greg Rucka
Penciller
Igor Kordey
Description
Pale Little Spider, published under the adults-only Max imprint, was the first solo series featuring Yelena on her own.
Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her
Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her
Title
Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her
Issues
#1–6
Cover dates
November 2005 – April 2006
Writer
Richard K. Morgan
Penciller
Sean Phillips
Description
In this series, Natasha goes into hiding as Nick Fury and Daredevil hunt her on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Yelena appearing as a supporting character.
Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova
Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova
Title
Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova
Issues
#1
Cover dates
January 2021
Writer
Devin Grayson
Penciller
Michele Bandini
Description
A one-shot featuring Yelena and Red Guardian.
Wastelanders: Black Widow †
Wastelanders: Black Widow †
Title
Wastelanders: Black Widow †
Issues
#1
Cover dates
March 2022
Writer
Steven S. DeKnight
Penciller
Well-Bee
Description
Five one-shot comics were published as an adaptation of the Marvel's Wastelanders podcast set in the post-apocalypse world of Old Man Logan. Wastelanders: Black Widow features an older version of Yelena.
White Widow: Welcome to Idylhaveven
White Widow: Welcome to Idylhaveven
Title
White Widow: Welcome to Idylhaveven
Issues
#1–4
Cover dates
January – April 2024
Writer
Sarah Gailey
Penciller
Alessandro Miracolo
Description
A four-part limited series featuring Yelena.
Title
Issues
Cover dates
Writer
Penciller
Description
Black Widow: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
–3
June – August 1999
Devin Grayson
J. G. Jones
The Marvel Knights limited series, titled "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", has Natasha question her claim to the role of Black Widow when she is challenged by the younger spy Yelena as both track down a biotoxin. Grayson and Jones first introduced Yelena in Inhumans to use her in this series.
Black Widow
–3
January – March 2001
Devin Grayson and Greg Rucka
Scott Hampton
The second volume of Black Widow to feature Natasha and Yelena.
Black Widow: Pale Little Spider
–3
June – August 2002
Greg Rucka
Igor Kordey
Pale Little Spider, published under the adults-only Max imprint, was the first solo series featuring Yelena on her own.
Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her
–6
November 2005 – April 2006
Richard K. Morgan
Sean Phillips
In this series, Natasha goes into hiding as Nick Fury and Daredevil hunt her on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Yelena appearing as a supporting character.
Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova
January 2021
Devin Grayson
Michele Bandini
A one-shot featuring Yelena and Red Guardian.
Wastelanders: Black Widow †
March 2022
Steven S. DeKnight
Well-Bee
Five one-shot comics were published as an adaptation of the Marvel's Wastelanders podcast set in the post-apocalypse world of Old Man Logan. Wastelanders: Black Widow features an older version of Yelena.
White Widow: Welcome to Idylhaveven
–4
January – April 2024
Sarah Gailey
Alessandro Miracolo
A four-part limited series featuring Yelena.

References

  1. IcV2
    https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/54493/yelena-belova-get-first-solo-series-white-widow
  2. Screen Rant
    https://screenrant.com/marvel-thunderbolts-members-powers-comics-origin-history/
  3. "Revisiting Marvel's Beezer & Belova"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190616051339/https://www.cbr.com/revisiting-marvels-beezer-belova/
  4. Comics Book Case
    https://www.comicsbookcase.com/features-archive/black-widow-underestimated-solo-comics
  5. Women of Marvel: Celebrating Decades Handbook #1 (January 1, 2010)
  6. Black Widow: Pale Little Spider #3 (Aug. 2002)
  7. Black Widow #1-3 (June-Aug. 1999)
  8. Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova Vol 1 #1 (January, 2021)
  9. Black Widow 2 #1 (Nov. 2005)
  10. The New Avengers #5 (April 2005)
  11. The New Avengers #6 (June 2005)
  12. The New Avengers Annual #1 (June 2006)
  13. Marvel Comics Presents vol. 2 #5 (March 2008)
  14. Dark Reign Files #1 (April 2009)
  15. Thunderbolts #128 (March 2009)
  16. Thunderbolts #136 (Sept. 2009)
  17. Secret Avengers vol. 2 #2 (March 2013)
  18. Secret Avengers #3-15 (2013)
  19. Secret Empire: Omega #1 (Sept. 2017)
  20. Tales of Suspense #100-#101 (Dec.-Jan. 2018-2019)
  21. White Widow #1 (2023)
  22. Thunderbolts Vol. 5 #4 (2024)
  23. IGN
    https://www.ign.com/articles/black-widow-florence-pugh-yelena-belova-red-room-explained-hawkeye
  24. Black Widow #1 (June 1999)
  25. Looper
    https://www.looper.com/484489/florence-pugh-agreed-to-become-yelena-belova-in-black-widow-under-one-condition/
  26. Screen Rant
    https://screenrant.com/black-widow-yelena-belova-superman-sentry/
  27. Comic Book Resources
    https://www.cbr.com/black-widow-yelena-new-avengers-super-adaptoid/
  28. CBR
    https://www.cbr.com/black-widow-powerful-russian-comics-heroes-marvel-dc/
  29. Scary Mommy
    https://www.scarymommy.com/marvel-female-characters
  30. ScreenRant
    https://screenrant.com/best-black-widow-comic-book-versions/
  31. ScreenRant
    https://screenrant.com/marvel-comics-black-widow-the-red-room-most-powerful-members-ranked/
  32. Behind The Voice Actors
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190420002059/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Black-Widow-Yelena-Belova/
  33. Avengers Assemble
  34. Beautiful Ballad
    http://www.beautifulballad.org/2021/01/27/exclusive-violet-mcgraw-talks-her-new-film-our-friend-and-her-role-in-black-widow/
  35. Entertainment Weekly
    https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/07/20/black-widow-movie-first-look-scarlett-johansson/
  36. Variety
    https://variety.com/2019/film/news/florence-pugh-scarlett-johansson-black-widow-1203165665/
  37. /Film
    https://www.slashfilm.com/multiple-black-widows/
  38. Empire
    https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/black-widow-movie-hand-baton-florence-pugh-says-cate-shortland-exclusive/
  39. io9
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190721060738/https://io9.gizmodo.com/heres-what-happened-in-the-black-widow-footage-marvel-s-1836393723
  40. Variety
    https://variety.com/2022/film/news/thunderbolts-cast-florence-pugh-julia-louis-dreyfus-1235364635/
  41. Variety
    https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hawkeye-disney-plus-florence-pugh-vera-farmiga-cast-1234845371/
  42. Comic Book Resources
    https://www.cbr.com/marvel-studios-animation-x-men-what-if-zombies-sdcc/
  43. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/avengers-doomsday-cast-announced-1236172556/
  44. "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Review"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190425200117/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/04/marvel-ultimate-alliance-review-4
  45. "Blac Widow – Costumes"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170924053337/http://xkmh.weebly.com/black-widow.html
  46. The Punisher: No Mercy
  47. "Marvel: Avengers Alliance Spec Ops 12 Task List"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150912200917/http://www.bbgsite.com/socialgames/content/marvel-avengers-alliance/guide/spec-ops-12-tasks-list.shtml
  48. Paste
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190420003138/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/11/ranking-every-marvel-puzzle-quest-character.html
  49. "New Character – ***** Yelena Belova (Black Widow) *****"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190558/https://d3go.helpshift.com/a/marvel-puzzle-quest/?s=news&f=new-character---yelena-belova-black-widow-4-21-20&l=en&fbclid=IwAR2vvzLeg7hqpNgAAevB9TUIGBYM0fRsTom0JAMxBY5J-CSw2_spB-DyqnI
  50. "New Avengers: Breakout: A Kiss or Kill Dilemma"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20161222154758/https://www.wired.com/2012/12/new-avengers-breakout/
  51. "New Avengers: Breakout (Prose Novel) – Review"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190529225558/http://www.spiderfan.org/review/comics/marvel_books_marvel_press/na_breakout.html
  52. ComicBook.com
    https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvels-wastelanders-susan-sarandon-stephen-lang-grey-widow-hawkeye/
  53. AIPT Comics
    https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/06/wastelanders-review
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