Yelena Belova was introduced at the Red Room's new Black Widow back in the late '90s, taking on the original Black Widow (Natasha Romanova) in order to prove herself to her superior on more than one occasion. Her initial appearances are categorically the most interesting ones as her story has become increasingly convoluted over time. She's been presumed dead on multiple occasions and some of the appearances of 'Yelena Belova' appear to actually be someone posing as her, whether they're a clone, a Skrull or an Adaptoid!
The MCU version of Yelena Belova is about to make her debut in the upcoming 'Black Widow' film and it looks like she'll be taking a key role going forward. So expect more appearances of Yelena in the comics in the years to come...
As always, I'd like to thank the Marvel Chronology Project whose work I use as a basis and then figure out my own Marvel chronology based on the vast back catalogue of comics I've read over the last several decades.
MCG Note:
- Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Yelena Belova stories from this time period, along with any often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
- issue listings in grey: Part of Yelena's chronology, cameo appearances or stories of note that non-essential or no longer considered 'required reading'.
- Chronology: Every Yelena Belova appearance from this period is included in chronological order - mapping out the timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
- Spoilers: The are some spoilers in the story descriptions, though I've tried to keep them to a minimum - just be warned!
Previous Black Widow reading orders:
First appearance of the Red Room; the Black Widow (Natasha Romanova) finds herself clashing with the Red Room's new Black Widow (Yelena Belova) when they both investigate the creation of a new bio-weapon in Rhapastan; Yelena tries to kill Natasha.
Inhumans #5 (1999)
Inhumans #5 (1999)
First appearance of the Black Widow (Yelena Belova), Elejea and Edson Jarzinho; Yelena Belova introduces herself as the Black Widow and delivers the means of disarming the Inhumans' protective field to an American agent.
Natasha Romanova disguises herself as Yelena Belova to investigate her while Yelena disguises herself as Natasha; Daredevil is drawn into the confusing showdown and isn't sure which side to take.
Black Widow #1-3 (2002)
Yelena Belova investigates the murder of her former mentor and is drawn into a seedy underworld.
New Avengers #5-6 (2005)
A new Avengers line-up discover Yelena Belova and a rogue band of SHIELD agents mining Vibranium in the Savage Land (this Yelena may or may not be an imposter or possibly even a Skrull); Yelena is seriously injured in conflict with Sauron; Yelena is approached by a mysterious benefactor and AIM agents who offer to give her the power to exact her revenge on the Avengers during BREAKOUT.New Avengers Annual #1 (2006)
First appearance of Yelena Belova as the Adaptoid; having been transformed into the living weapon, the Adaptoid, Yelena Belova attacks the new Avengers in the build up to Luke Cage and Jessica Jones' wedding; Yelena is killed in the final conflict (again, this may be an imposter or possibly a shape-shifting Skrull using Yelena Belova's identity) during HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
First appearance of Yelena Belova as the Adaptoid; having been transformed into the living weapon, the Adaptoid, Yelena Belova attacks the new Avengers in the build up to Luke Cage and Jessica Jones' wedding; Yelena is killed in the final conflict (again, this may be an imposter or possibly a shape-shifting Skrull using Yelena Belova's identity) during HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Marvel Comics Presents #5-6 (2008)
Yelena Belova is revealed to have joined the Vanguard - a team of black ops superhumans who carry missions for the US, sometimes on foreign soil; Yelena is seen and not heard in these chapters.
First appearance of Retcon (Leila); Stacy Dolan continues to look into the actions of the secret super-team Vanguard and the identity of Colonel America; as the Black Widow, Yelena Belova is a member of Vanguard alongside Colonel America, Retcon, Blade, Dominic Fortune and Micromax; Dolan's investigation leads to Vanguard disbanding, but Retcon uses her powers make everyone believe they're all dead.
Thunderbolts #136 (2009)
Black Widow (Yelena Belova) cameo; now that the original Black Widow (Natasha Romanova) is revealed to have been masquerading as Yelena Belova in order to infiltrate Norman Osborn's Thunderbolts, she has to escape their headquarters with Songbird; Osborn reveals he's had the real Yelena Belova in stasis this whole time and considers including her in his Thunderbolts during DARK REIGN / GOD OF FEAR, GOD OF WAR.
Secret Avengers #2-3 (2013)
First appearance of Kobik; referred to by the Scientist Supreme of AIM as the 'Pale Little Spider' and 'Adaptoid', Yelena Belova is finally freed from stasis to become the Minister of State of AIM's island nation of Barbuda, aka AIM Island; the Adaptoid fends off the Secret Avengers during MARVEL NOW!
Secret Avengers #5 (2013)
As the Adaptoid, Yelena Belova has a quick rematch with Natasha Romanova, knocking her through a window during MARVEL NOW!
Yelena Belova rejects the Scientist Supreme's attempts to make a pass at her and takes greater control of the situation in Barbuda; Mockingbird infiltrates AIM Island.
Secret Avengers #12-15 (2013-2014)
The Secret Avengers arrive on AIM Island, intent on rescuing Mockingbird; Yelena Belova clashes with Mockingbird during her escape attempt; 'Mockingbird' is shot dead by an AIM soldier, only later to be revealed as Yelena with a holo-camouflage device forced upon her by the real Mockingbird to facilitate her escape; Yelena Belova is believed dead.
Tales of Suspense #101-104 (2018)
First appearance of three Yelena Belova clones; first full appearance of the Natasha Romanova clone, appearing as Black Widow; following the death of the Black Widow (Natasha Romanova), the Red Room create a clone of her; she rebels against the Red Room and activates three clones of Yelena Belova; the Natasha Romanova clone is revealed to have killed the real Yelena Belova and eventually kills two of the Yelena clones; clone Natasha gives the last Yelena clone the memories of the real Yelena Belova as a way of making amends for murdering the real Yelena.
Web of Black Widow #3 (2020)
First appearance of the Yelena Belova clone as the Black Widow; the clone of Yelena Belova comes to the aid of the Natasha Romanova clone.
Marvel Knights Black Widow by Grayson & Rucka - The Complete Collection
Collects...
Black Widow (1999) #1-3
Black Widow (2001) #1-3
Black Widow (2002) #1-3.
Inhumans by Paul Jenkins & Jae Lee
Includes...
Inhumans #5
Secret Avengers vol.1: Reverie
Includes...
Secret Avengers #2-3
Secret Avengers vol.2: Illiad
Includes...
Secret Avengers #8
Secret Avengers vol.3: How to MA.I.M. a Mockingbird
Includes...
Secret Avengers #12-15
Black Widow: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider
Collects...
Black Widow (1999) #1-3
Black Widow (2001) #1-3.
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