Black Widow’s original “femme fatale” look returns in an epic new piece of Marvel cover art. 2024 marks sixty years of Black Widow (and Hawkeye) and to celebrate, Marvel will release a new, four-issue miniseries featuring the duo. The first issue of Black Widow and Hawkeye will ship with a special variant cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau that sees the Widow don her classic outfit.
Marvel shared a first look at the cover for Black Widow and Hawkeye #1 on their website. Artgerm’s cover, done in his unmistakable style, features Black Widow in her original outfit from the 1960s, complete with cape and fish-net stockings. The book will be written by Stephanie Phillips and drawn by Paolo Villanelli, and will explore the duo’s history, from their days as villains to their time as Avengers.
Black Widow is currently a host for a Venom symbiote, but Marvel has promised she will wear her classic duds at some point during the miniseries
Despite Being a Product of Her Times, Black Widow Has Become an Icon
Artgerm’s cover is a throwback to Black Widow’s first appearance in Tales of Suspense #52. Debuting alongside Hawkeye, Black Widow was a Russian spy who sought Tony Stark’s secrets. She would later renounce the Soviet Union, and become a member of the Avengers. As she grew and progressed as a character, she would ditch her first outfit, trading it in for a black jumpsuit that has since become her trademark look. Despite being the product of the Cold War era of American history, Black Widow has persisted to become a Marvel icon, complete with her own feature film.
Black Widow’s classic outfit returns not only on the occasion of the character’s 60th anniversary, but also as she faces a crossroads in her career. Currently, in the pages of Venom, Natasha has been bonded to a symbiote. This bold new direction for the character continues her growth and evolution. Meanwhile, Black Widow and Hawkeye will look back at her past, examining where she came from and where she is headed. Writer Stephanie Phillips has relished the opportunity to dig deep into the lives of the Black Widow and Hawkeye, finding what makes them tick.
Avengers’ Black Widow Base Is Too Cool Not to Appear in the Movies
Black Widow’s underground base for the Avengers has never made it to the MCU, but that may all change with the arrival of Yelena’s Thunderbolts.
Artgerm Has Created the Perfect Tribute to Black Widow
And now Artgerm has released this epic new cover for Black Widow and Hawkeye #1. Just as the miniseries is a glorious celebration of the two characters’ 60 years, so is Artgerm’s cover. Black Widow has not worn the outfit in question in decades, and some fans may have even forgotten it existed. Black Widow began her career as a villain, ultimately morphing into a great hero and a distinguished member of the Avengers. Artgerm’s cover serves as a reminder to fans of Black Widow’s extensive history in the Marvel Universe.
Black Widow and Hawkeye #1 is on sale March 13 from Marvel Comics.
