Black Widow (2020)

Black Widow (2020)

As we head into the final installment of the MCU’s Phase three with Captain Marvel and Avengers 4 and head into the unknown that is Phase four, I think it is time to introduce the MCU audience to the story of Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) and The Winter Solider (James “Bucky” Barns). Most of you know these characters are two of Captain America’s most loyal teammates and are always on his side (when Bucky knows who he is at least). But, who were they before they met Captain America?

Some of you may have already noticed a few similarities between the two characters. They are both Russian (Natasha is actually Russian and Bucky was found by Russians at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger) and earned their reptuation by working for the same side (Natasha worked for the Red Room and KGB in Russia and Bucky became the Winter Solider for Hyda). They have a similar fighting style and Natasha seems to know a lot about who Bucky was, hense being the audience and Steve’s way into the story in Captain America: The Winter Soilder. Which brings me to the question: What is their history? Do they even have a history?

After a few months of research, the answer is a simple: yes. But to my surprise, these two have a much deeper history than I expected to find.

As usual with comics, there are several incarnations of comic book stories with these characters. So it really depends on the volume you read (or look up). But in most of the comics that include both Black Widow and the Winter Soilder, they share a romantic bond. It’s a strong relationship, a deep relationship, and after reading some comics myself, a beautiful relationship.