Yelena Belova returns to Marvel Comics as the White Widow
The current MCU Black Widow becomes the new White Widow in Marvel Comics
Yelena Belova is back in Marvel Comics ahead of her MCU role in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie. But Yelena won't be returning as the Black Widow. Instead, she'll take on the mantle of the White Widow in a new limited series by writer Sarah Galley and artist Alessandro Miracolo.
Launching in November, the four issue series follows Yelena Belova - Natasha Romanoff's successor as the Black Widow - as she comes into her own in a new superhero identity.
"Superspy. Rogue agent. Shadow of the Black Widow. Yelena Belova has been many things, but striking out as a hero in her own right is new to her," reads Marvel's official description of White Widow #1. "Now that she’s finally free to choose her own path, who will she become?"
Yelena Belova has become an MCU star through the Black Widow movie and subsequent Hawkeye streaming series, and will next appear in 2024's Thunderbolts film.
"I am beyond exhilarated to launch White Widow into her own series! Yelena Belova is an incredible character who deserves independence, community, and the opportunity to kill on her own terms," writer Sarah Galley tells The Mary Sue, who initially announced the White Widow limited series. "Getting the chance to work with this team at Marvel is a thrill. I can't wait for the world to see what Alessandro and I have in store!"
As for Natasha herself, the original Black Widow, she last starred in her 2021-2022 ongoing series. Her death in the MCU led to Yelena becoming the current MCU iteration of the Black Widow.
White Widow #1 goes on sale November 1 with a cover by David Marquez, seen above.
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I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)