Thunderbolts Proved White Widow is Finally A Hero, But It Could Rewrite Marvel Canon
Warning: Contains Spoilers for Thunderbolts*!
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* movie just seriously leveled up the character of Yelena Belova, but the former Black Widow assassin’s comic counterpart has some catching up to do, if she wnats to match the MCU’s latest Avenger; Yelena’s characterization and new role in the MCU post-Thunderbolts* hasn’t been replicated in comic any series just yet, but it’s only a matter of time.
The ending of Thunderbolts* gives Yelena Belova a central position in the New Avengers lineup, a role that the character has never taken on in the comics. Though it’s exactly what this version of the character deserves, it’s a reminder of how different her MCU variant really is.
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Custom Image by Yeider Chacon The MCU has altered Yelena’s origins ,and substantially deviated from the comics already, and her new leadership position on an Avengers team makes the hero totally unrecognizable from the White Widow’s status as one of Marvel’s deadliest assassins.
Marvel Comics Made Yelena Belova A Hero, But The MCU Just Made Her A Superstar The White Widow's Comic Counterpart Deserves Similar Elevation Close While Marvel Comics’ main continuity version of Yelena has often played the anti-hero, and has become even more of a full-fledged hero in recent years, the character has never reached the superheroic heights that Florence Pugh’s version of the spy just established in the MCU’s latest post-credits scene. Despite now being a vital part of the cinematic New Avengers lineup, Yelena Belova has never been an Avenger in the comics; in fact, it’s been referenced in a handful of comic stories that Earth-616’s White Widow really has no interest in becoming a member of Marvel’s premier team.
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Related 8 Essential Facts About the New Avengers You Need to Know Right Now The New Avengers just took on huge new importance to Marvel fans - here"s your crash course in this exciting incarnation of Earth"s Mightiest Heroes.
Posts Although in the comics, Yelena seemingly has an aversion to becoming an Avenger, some stories have proven that she is willing to be a strong team player, and excels as a group’s wild card. She has worked with Black Widow, Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts, and even joined a vampire-hunting superhero team after Blood Hunt. While White Widow isn’t necessarily about to start leading the Avengers anytime soon, her MCU equivalent’s new role on a version of the team could mean that the comics will soon adapt Yelena into a more traditional superhero than she’s ever been before.
Synergy Between Marvel's Cinematic And Comic Universes Suggests Yelena Will Become More Important On The Page How White Widow And Black Widow's Dynamic Effects That![]()
Marvel changed the lore of its two Black Widows in the movies, and their relationship and history in the comics has a few distinct differences to how things have shaken out in the MCU. Although Natasha and Yelena briefly fought in the first Black Widow movie, their battle was nothing in comparison to their comic rivalry, and their journey to developing a familial relationship was a longer and more complicated process. The comics versions of Natasha and Yelena were never paired up to play sisters in their youth. Instead, Yelena was trained in the Red Room to replace the spy-turned-Avenger.
![]()
Related Marvel Reveals The Difference Between Its Two Black Widows Marvel Comics has finally revealed the key difference between their Black Widows, Yelena Belova and Natasha Romanoff - will it be true in the MCU?
Posts Yelena was essentially built to be the Red Room’s successor to the Black Widow mantle, after Natasha defected, but with some time spent bonding and relating to one another, she followed suit. Though they are different characters with unique motivations, Yelena has always held a mirror up to Natasha, ging a glimpse into a version of the Avenger when she was a younger and more ruthless assassin. For a long time, the comic version of Yelena was fierce, bloodthirsty, and often villainous, making it all the more satisfying when she shifted to heroics and officially became the White Widow.
Should Marvel Comics Change Yelena To Be More Like Florence Pugh’s Version Of The Character? Pugh’s Performance Adds New Layers To The Super-Spy![]()
The MCU’s Yelena Belova has certainly grown as a character in her appearances, but she may have reached heights that don’t totally make sense for Marvel Comics’ version of the character to achieve, at least not yet. However, there’s room for Yelena to make more positive changes in the comics to become an Avengers-level hero. The recent White Widow series saw the assassin in a more playful light that was already reminiscent of Florence Pugh’s comedic moments in the MCU, so it shouldn’t be surprising if the comics continue to put Yelena on a similar trajectory to her cinematic counterpart.
![]()
Related "The Widow's Fangs": Yelena Belova's White Widow Debuts New Weapon Ahead of MCU Return in THUNDERBOLTS As 2025"s Thunderbolts gets nearer, Marvel is upgrading Yelena Belova with her own unique weapons, making the White Widow deadlier than ever.
Posts Though there are many changes made between MCU and comics Yelena, truly the biggest difference is that the comics universe’s Natasha is still alive. Without Natasha being taken off the board, like has happened in the MCU, perhaps the White Widow wouldn’t have room to grow and reach her full heroic potential. In a world where Natasha is still thriving as the heroic Black Widow, it’s not necessary for Yelena to use her super-spy skills for Avengers-level threats. Natasha’s absence in the MCU allowed Yelena’s character to level up, but it can still happen with both Widows alive and well.
Yelena Has Reinvigorated Potential For Growth Tn Her Marvel Comics Future After Thunderbolts* Debut But Where Is She In The New “New Avengers”?![]()
With Pugh’s exciting and nuanced portrayal of Yelena going beyond established lore, there are opportunities for Marvel Comics to align Yelena with the version that MCU fans fell in love with. Perhaps the publisher could do something with the friendship that’s brewing between Yelena and Bob, pairing her White Widow with one of Marvel’s most powerful heroes, the Sentry. While Black Widow lore could be rewritten with these changes, Marvel just has to flesh out Yelena’s character and give her new connections in the Marvel Universe beyond her relationship with Natasha, or Natalia as she still calls her.
![]()
Related Marvel Reveals The KILLUMINATI, Nightmare Versions of Its Greatest Heroes Uniting Against New Avengers The New Avengers have a New villain with a familiar face. Here"s everything you need to know about the KILLUMINATI and their threat.
Posts 1 The recent Blood Hunters series is an example of just that, giving Yelena a bigger role in a team with some other heavy-hitters in the universe. However, as a prominent member of the MCU’s New Avengers, it’s curious that Yelena has so far been left off the New Avengers lineup that’s about to debut in Marvel Comics. The upcoming series, by Sam Humphreys and Ton Lima, places Bucky and Natasha back at the forefront of the team. Yelena’s absence on the roster raises questions about if there’s room for the White Widow and Black Widow to coexist in a team.
Thunderbolts* may have given the White Widow a major Avengers upgrade, but her role in Black Widow lore and the Marvel Universe at large could still be evolving to catch up.
Yelena has become more like Natasha’s character in the movies, but the comics version of the character seemed to get more love when she was still contrasting with Natasha’s heroic side. With Yelena now becoming a full-fledged Avenger in the movies, it’s time for Marvel Comics to prove that both Yelena and Natasha can stand both on their own and together as superheroes side-by-side, without threatening the other’s spot. Thunderbolts* may have given the White Widow a major Avengers upgrade, but her role in Black Widow lore and the Marvel Universe at large could still be evolving to catch up.
![]()
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Thunderbolts* PG-13 Adventure Action Sci-Fi![]()
8/10 192 9.0/10 Release Date May 2, 2025 Runtime 126 Minutes Director Jake Schreier Writers Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe Cast See All ![]()
Florence Pugh Yelena Belova ![]()
Sebastian Stan James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
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Marvel’s Thunderbolts* movie just seriously leveled up the character of Yelena Belova, but the former Black Widow assassin’s comic counterpart has some catching up to do, if she wnats to match the MCU’s latest Avenger; Yelena’s characterization and new role in the MCU post-Thunderbolts* hasn’t been replicated in comic any series just yet, but it’s only a matter of time.
The ending of Thunderbolts* gives Yelena Belova a central position in the New Avengers lineup, a role that the character has never taken on in the comics. Though it’s exactly what this version of the character deserves, it’s a reminder of how different her MCU variant really is.
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon The MCU has altered Yelena’s origins ,and substantially deviated from the comics already, and her new leadership position on an Avengers team makes the hero totally unrecognizable from the White Widow’s status as one of Marvel’s deadliest assassins.Marvel Comics Made Yelena Belova A Hero, But The MCU Just Made Her A Superstar The White Widow's Comic Counterpart Deserves Similar Elevation Close While Marvel Comics’ main continuity version of Yelena has often played the anti-hero, and has become even more of a full-fledged hero in recent years, the character has never reached the superheroic heights that Florence Pugh’s version of the spy just established in the MCU’s latest post-credits scene. Despite now being a vital part of the cinematic New Avengers lineup, Yelena Belova has never been an Avenger in the comics; in fact, it’s been referenced in a handful of comic stories that Earth-616’s White Widow really has no interest in becoming a member of Marvel’s premier team.
Related 8 Essential Facts About the New Avengers You Need to Know Right Now The New Avengers just took on huge new importance to Marvel fans - here"s your crash course in this exciting incarnation of Earth"s Mightiest Heroes.Posts Although in the comics, Yelena seemingly has an aversion to becoming an Avenger, some stories have proven that she is willing to be a strong team player, and excels as a group’s wild card. She has worked with Black Widow, Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts, and even joined a vampire-hunting superhero team after Blood Hunt. While White Widow isn’t necessarily about to start leading the Avengers anytime soon, her MCU equivalent’s new role on a version of the team could mean that the comics will soon adapt Yelena into a more traditional superhero than she’s ever been before.
Synergy Between Marvel's Cinematic And Comic Universes Suggests Yelena Will Become More Important On The Page How White Widow And Black Widow's Dynamic Effects That
Marvel changed the lore of its two Black Widows in the movies, and their relationship and history in the comics has a few distinct differences to how things have shaken out in the MCU. Although Natasha and Yelena briefly fought in the first Black Widow movie, their battle was nothing in comparison to their comic rivalry, and their journey to developing a familial relationship was a longer and more complicated process. The comics versions of Natasha and Yelena were never paired up to play sisters in their youth. Instead, Yelena was trained in the Red Room to replace the spy-turned-Avenger.
Related Marvel Reveals The Difference Between Its Two Black Widows Marvel Comics has finally revealed the key difference between their Black Widows, Yelena Belova and Natasha Romanoff - will it be true in the MCU?Posts Yelena was essentially built to be the Red Room’s successor to the Black Widow mantle, after Natasha defected, but with some time spent bonding and relating to one another, she followed suit. Though they are different characters with unique motivations, Yelena has always held a mirror up to Natasha, ging a glimpse into a version of the Avenger when she was a younger and more ruthless assassin. For a long time, the comic version of Yelena was fierce, bloodthirsty, and often villainous, making it all the more satisfying when she shifted to heroics and officially became the White Widow.
Should Marvel Comics Change Yelena To Be More Like Florence Pugh’s Version Of The Character? Pugh’s Performance Adds New Layers To The Super-Spy
The MCU’s Yelena Belova has certainly grown as a character in her appearances, but she may have reached heights that don’t totally make sense for Marvel Comics’ version of the character to achieve, at least not yet. However, there’s room for Yelena to make more positive changes in the comics to become an Avengers-level hero. The recent White Widow series saw the assassin in a more playful light that was already reminiscent of Florence Pugh’s comedic moments in the MCU, so it shouldn’t be surprising if the comics continue to put Yelena on a similar trajectory to her cinematic counterpart.
Related "The Widow's Fangs": Yelena Belova's White Widow Debuts New Weapon Ahead of MCU Return in THUNDERBOLTS As 2025"s Thunderbolts gets nearer, Marvel is upgrading Yelena Belova with her own unique weapons, making the White Widow deadlier than ever.Posts Though there are many changes made between MCU and comics Yelena, truly the biggest difference is that the comics universe’s Natasha is still alive. Without Natasha being taken off the board, like has happened in the MCU, perhaps the White Widow wouldn’t have room to grow and reach her full heroic potential. In a world where Natasha is still thriving as the heroic Black Widow, it’s not necessary for Yelena to use her super-spy skills for Avengers-level threats. Natasha’s absence in the MCU allowed Yelena’s character to level up, but it can still happen with both Widows alive and well.
Yelena Has Reinvigorated Potential For Growth Tn Her Marvel Comics Future After Thunderbolts* Debut But Where Is She In The New “New Avengers”?
With Pugh’s exciting and nuanced portrayal of Yelena going beyond established lore, there are opportunities for Marvel Comics to align Yelena with the version that MCU fans fell in love with. Perhaps the publisher could do something with the friendship that’s brewing between Yelena and Bob, pairing her White Widow with one of Marvel’s most powerful heroes, the Sentry. While Black Widow lore could be rewritten with these changes, Marvel just has to flesh out Yelena’s character and give her new connections in the Marvel Universe beyond her relationship with Natasha, or Natalia as she still calls her.
Related Marvel Reveals The KILLUMINATI, Nightmare Versions of Its Greatest Heroes Uniting Against New Avengers The New Avengers have a New villain with a familiar face. Here"s everything you need to know about the KILLUMINATI and their threat.Posts 1 The recent Blood Hunters series is an example of just that, giving Yelena a bigger role in a team with some other heavy-hitters in the universe. However, as a prominent member of the MCU’s New Avengers, it’s curious that Yelena has so far been left off the New Avengers lineup that’s about to debut in Marvel Comics. The upcoming series, by Sam Humphreys and Ton Lima, places Bucky and Natasha back at the forefront of the team. Yelena’s absence on the roster raises questions about if there’s room for the White Widow and Black Widow to coexist in a team.
Thunderbolts* may have given the White Widow a major Avengers upgrade, but her role in Black Widow lore and the Marvel Universe at large could still be evolving to catch up.
Yelena has become more like Natasha’s character in the movies, but the comics version of the character seemed to get more love when she was still contrasting with Natasha’s heroic side. With Yelena now becoming a full-fledged Avenger in the movies, it’s time for Marvel Comics to prove that both Yelena and Natasha can stand both on their own and together as superheroes side-by-side, without threatening the other’s spot. Thunderbolts* may have given the White Widow a major Avengers upgrade, but her role in Black Widow lore and the Marvel Universe at large could still be evolving to catch up.
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been savedLike Follow Followed Thunderbolts* PG-13 Adventure Action Sci-Fi
8/10 192 9.0/10 Release Date May 2, 2025 Runtime 126 Minutes Director Jake Schreier Writers Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe Cast See All 
Florence Pugh Yelena Belova 
Sebastian Stan James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier Powered by
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