Marvel has now revealed a previously undisclosed episode from Black Widow’s youth. It adds a new dimension of sadness to the Black Widow’s first Red Room. Natasha was educated to be an adept spy and killer from a young age in the Ussr’s covert Red Room facility.
Despite one incident in which Enchantress tricked her into attempting an escape; Natasha’s time growing up in the Red Room was described as loyal and submissive to the cause she was indoctrinated in by the few testimonies available. Natasha would not seek atonement until years later when she joined the ranks of the Avengers as a costumed hero. However, Natasha Romanoff had an innate desire. It was to leave the milieu she was put into as a youngster, according to Kaare Andrews’ Amazing Fantasy #1.
Black Widow’s Red Room: Nat’s side of the narrative
Amazing Fantasy follows what appear to be near-death incidents in the lives of Captain America, Spider-Man, and Black Widow in their early, famous days. Nat’s side of the narrative depicts her flourishing as a favorite fighter in the Red Room; before attempting to flee with the help of her teacher Alexa. Alexa persuades Natasha that they will flee to West Germany on a plane hidden in the woods nearby. It was a final test of commitment. When Natasha reaches the meeting spot, Alexa informs her that she failed her test. Then pulls out his revolver and discharges two rounds into her.
Nat is then shown wounded and dying before being whisked away from the danger by a centaur. It emerges from the darkness of the woods. Needless to say, here is where Amazing Fantasy’s fanciful side comes into play. Widow, Cap, and Spidey all wake up within the confines of this mysterious reality after experiencing certain death. It is entertaining as it is to see Widow and the other heroes form new allegiances in this strange environment. But the revelation that Natasha yearned to leave the Red Room so early in her stay there adds even more tragedy to her already tragic backstory.
At the very least, the idea that Natasha turned into a merciless assassin under harsh conditions gives us hope that she was blissfully unaware of a better life. Amazing Fantasy, on the other hand, shatters that silver lining by revealing Nat’s frantic desire to escape her terrible circumstances since she was a youngster. Also, the fact that she was duped and left for dead by an authoritarian. She trusted him just adds insult to injury.
Underlying plot of Amazing Fantasy
The underlying plot of Amazing Fantasy is still a mystery after only one issue. What is this strange new realm that these heroes have entered? Why do they appear to have reached it at the moment of their deaths? The heroes will almost certainly return to the main Marvel Universe before the conclusion of the narrative.
A more cynical interpretation is that this story happens in a parallel timeline in which Natasha and the others have perished, allowing for a Pan’s Labyrinth-style questioning of whether this magical world is genuine or just a dying delusion. In that situation, the spy’s first Red Room disaster would be a genuinely tragic death. Hopefully, a ray of hope will emerge before the five-issue miniseries reaches its conclusion.