Warning: SPOILERS for Avengers #28
While fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are excited to see Black Widow return to the big screen in her first solo film, comic book fans finally have the answer to how she could possibly hold her own in space: with her very own suit of armor courtesy of Tony Stark. Natasha Romanoff officially has her very own suit of armor, making her The War Widow.
Avengers #28 sees the current roster of heroes take to the stars in search of the newest wielder of the planetary defense system known as the Starbrand. Black Widow joined the mission at Captain America's request, he needed someone that he knows can deal with anything that might come their way -- from Galactus to a gang of Skrulls with shivs, and the Black Widow was the only person who fits. This left many wondering how the Black Widow, someone with impressive fighting skills but nonetheless merely human, could be helpful in space-- where unspeakable horrors await, like a Brood Thor.
The Black Widow apparently also had concerns about how she would fair on such a space mission, and in Avengers #27 readers were teased to a possible solution to her space problems. Thor was shown carrying a big box that she claimed was given to her by the Black Panther... who assured her that The Iron Man Tony Stark wouldn't mind.
The box was not addressed again, until now. Natasha found herself riding shotgun in the Ghost Rider's Hellcharger, while under attack from the Silver Surfer and his galactic herald brothers. Shot out of space, the Black Widow found herself stranded in the Ghost Rider's charger turned spaceship surrounded by alien killers. It is in this moment that Natasha realizes she is in need of the Avenger's heaviest hitters, and not a moment too soon. She turns to Boy-Thing, who has also been along for the ride, and asks him to get her luggage from the trunk.
Just as the aliens appear to be prying open the Hellcharger, Natasha appears, offering them war -- in her very own War Machine armor. Her badass armor is all black, sporting the classic Black Widow insignia. It also packs the same amount of firepower that the classic War Machine armor has, giving her the aptly named code name: The War Widow. It is a good thing that in space, no one can hear you scream. Because Natasha is about to unleash a world of pain.
STARBRAND REBORN PART TWO: THE DRAWING OF THE HERALDS! A mysterious new wielder of the all-powerful, cosmic super-weapon the Starbrand has arisen inside a space prison the size of a galaxy, drawing the attention of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, along with some of the most powerful figures from beyond the stars. Behold the coming of the Three Heralds. Also, Thor is a Brood now...
Avengers #28 is available now from your local comic store, or direct from Marvel Comics.