"We are not heroes. We are tools. And tools get used."

—Black Widow[source]

Natasha Romanoff[19] is a deadly spy who deploys skilfulness and deceit during missions as the Black Widow.[2] She has been forged into a legendary agent by the Red Room in the frigid Soviet Union,[33] but ultimately defected[34] allying herself with the Avengers[35] and being enlisted by Nick Fury into S.H.I.E.L.D.,[36] constantly inspired by honorable super-heroes.[37] The Black Widow has flirted with the idea of acting as a heroine herself,[38][39][40] but ultimately acknowledges her upbringing and history as a traitorous spy will never allow her such a value.[41][42][4]

As a capable agent, Romanoff has become an influential figure within different operations. She was involved in many different missions with Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.,[43][44][45][46] founded and led the super-hero team the Champions,[47] acted as the chairwoman of the Avengers,[48][49] and infiltrated the Thunderbolts.[50] She cut ties with S.H.I.E.L.D.[51] soon before the country fell into the rule of Hydra.[52] The distinction between her and her super-hero associates was evident, as she planned to swiftly execute the Supreme Hydra, Steve Rogers, recruiting and cruelly training the new Champions for her mission.[53] She was murdered in her attempt,[30] and, as a result of the Red Room's elaborate machinations, was returned to life.[54]

Ever since, the Black Widow has acted usually in the shadows.[55] For a time, she established a covert training facility to protect women, a rebranded and redeemed version of the Red Room Academy.[56] More recently, she shared a connection with a symbiote that empowered her with all-new capacities.[57] Although the partnership was beneficial, it ended up being cut short.[58] In a convoluted sequence of conspiracies,[59] the Black Widow was responsible for an assembly of unconventional anti-heroes, who became joined by fate as the New Avengers.[60]