Warning! Spoilers ahead for Marvel Wastelanders: Black Widow #1
In the latest one-shot set in the alternate future of Old Man Logan, it's confirmed that Natasha Romanoff was never the most brutal Black Widow. Instead, that honor goes to Yelena Belova, who chooses to carry on Natasha's mantle in this apocalyptic wasteland of a world run by supervillains. However, she also undergoes a dark evolution over time, and it's one that Yelena is glad her sister Natasha never saw.
In the original Old Man Logan storyline from Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, it was revealed that the Avengers were betrayed by the Thunderbolts, who were part of the supervillain takeover that resulted in the deaths of several heroes. This includes Natasha Romanoff who was stabbed in the back by none other than Baron Zemo. In the years to come as the United States became a barren wasteland divided into territories under President Red Skull, Wastelanders: Black Widow #1 from Steven S. DeKnight and Well-Bee sees Yelena continuing to work as the Black Widow after Natasha's death, though her brutality and mercilessness increases as the world becomes darker.
As a terribly tragic example, this new issue sees Yelena working alongside AIM, which wishes to end the reign of the Red Skull. Falling in love with one of their members named Elias, the Black Widow ends up staging a rescue mission when Elias doesn't return from Florida after trying to connect with one of his contacts. Unfortunately, he has been taken captive by the Lizard in his dominion based out of a zoo. While Yelena eventually finds Elias, she gets there too late, seeing as how the Lizard has already eaten his legs. Unable to carry him without being captured herself, Yelena does the unthinkable and kills Elias to make sure he doesn't share resistance secrets, proving herself to be the most brutal Black Widow in this harsh timeline.
As Yelena confirms, she no longer sees herself as the woman she once was. She's been transformed into the Black Widow of the Wasteland, a merciless survivor who will do what must be done in order to continue surviving. It's certainly a dark existence, though it's one that sadly makes sense given the circumstances. The Wasteland is a harsh and unforgiving place, rewarding the strong and resilient while punishing the soft and weak.
Seeing as how Yelena is seemingly working with AIM to bring down the Red Skull, it would be interesting to see where her story goes considering Old Man Logan saw Wolverine being the one to do the deed, decapitating the evil President and ending his reign once and for all. Perhaps she's finally able to settle down and end her days as a killer? Either way, Yelena Belova has certainly proved herself to be the more brutal Black Widow over Natasha (on this Earth at least).