<Li> tear gas pellets </Li> <P> Natalia Alianovna Romanova (Russian: Наталья Альяновна "Наташа" Романова; alias: Natasha Romanoff; Russian: Наташа Романофф), colloquial: Black Widow (Russian: Чёрная Вдова; transliterated Chyornaya Vdova) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Don Rico, and artist Don Heck, the character debuted in Tales of Suspense #52 (April 1964). The character was introduced as a Russian spy, an antagonist of the superhero Iron Man . She later defected to the United States, becoming an agent of the fictional spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D., and a member of the superhero team the Avengers . </P> <P> Scarlett Johansson portrays the character Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) in films as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe . </P> <P> The Black Widow's first appearances were as a recurring, non-costumed, Russian - spy antagonist in the feature "Iron Man", beginning in Tales of Suspense #52 (April 1964). Five issues later, she recruits the besotted costumed archer and later superhero Hawkeye to her cause . Her government later supplies her with her first Black Widow costume and high - tech weaponry, but she eventually defects to the United States after appearing, temporarily brainwashed against the U.S., in the superhero - team series The Avengers #29 (July 1966). The Widow later becomes a recurring ally of the team before officially becoming its sixteenth member many years later . </P>

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