'Black Widow': Mark Waid-Chris Samnee comic run might offer clues to movie's plot
The much-awaited ‘Black Widow’ movie is almost upon us, but details are sparse on what the movie is actually about aside from the characters who will be appearing in it, and their relationship to Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson). However, a closer look at the trailer, poster and cast list offer clues as to a certain comic book storyline that the movie might be pulling from.
Following a highly-acclaimed run on ‘Daredevil,’ the creative team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee were reunited for a 12-issue run on ‘Black Widow.’ The series saw Natasha on the run from S.H.I.E.L.D, after being blackmailed by a mysterious figure known only as the Weeping Lion into stealing from the agency.
The trailer already appears to be homaging the run's very first issue, a memorable action-packed opening that saw Black Widow jump straight out of a S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier with no parachute, pursued by agents who were also in freefall. In the trailer, the S.H.I.E.L.D agents are swapped out for people in skull masks, most likely Taskmaster henchmen, but the reference is clear.
It could be a coincidence, of course, a Marvel movie needs its stunts, and what's a more thrilling stunt than a hero who can't fly falling through the air? However, when taken into consideration that in both the comic and the film, Black Widow is on the run from the authorities, the parallels start becoming a little more clear. In addition to that, one of the posters for the film bears a strong resemblance to the cover for issue #7 of the Waid/Samnee run.
Of course, the movie would at best be cherry-picking plot points from the series and putting their own spins on them. While other Marvel movies have done their own versions of famous comic book storylines before, they're never a complete match to the source material. The Waid-Samnee run did not feature the Red Guardian (David Harbour) or Taskmaster. The comic may provide some insight into who the film's antagonist may be, however, given that Taskmaster is rarely a villain in his own right, instead working as a highly competent mercenary for whoever will hire him.
The original antagonist for the run is the Weeping Lion who seeks information about the Red Room, sending Natasha back to her roots, which is something the film promises to explore. What's more, one of the things they blackmail Natasha with is the fact that she was the one responsible for the kidnapping of Ho Yinsen, the man who inspired Tony Stark's turn to heroism. Given that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) has been stated to reprise his role in the film, we might now have a reason as to why. Another look at the cast list has bodybuilder Olivier Richters in an unknown role. Richters has just the physique to play the mysterious, intimidating role of the Weeping Lion.
At this point, it's anyone's guess how much the movie will be pulling from the comics — and which comics they'll be pulling from — but in the wait for the movie's release, the Waid-Samnee run is worth a read. Whether or not it is related to the movie in any way, it remains a fantastic Black Widow story in its own right.
'Black Widow' releases in cinemas on May 1, 2020.
