Collect Black Widow on a Budget: Practical Guide

Black Widow is one of the most underrated Marvel characters in terms of collectability. Despite Natasha Romanoff's massive popularity in cinema, her solo series remain surprisingly accessible — a boon for collectors on a budget.

This guide details howbuild a complete and qualitative Black Widow collection without spending a fortune. From her accessible early appearances to undervalued modern runs, here's the budget strategy for collecting Marvel's most famous spy.

Key issues Black Widow under $50

The first appearance (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964) is expensive, but many key issues remain very affordable:

• Amazing Spider-Man #86 (1970)— Black Widow's first iconic black costume, copies in GD around $40-50.
• Black Widow #1 (1999, miniseries)— Devin Grayson and J.G. Jones, under $15 in NM.
• Black Widow #1 (2004, Richard K. Morgan)— under $10.
• Black Widow #1 (2010, Marjorie Liu)— “The Name of the Rose”, under $10 in NM.
• Black Widow #1 (2014, Nathan Edmondson/Phil Noto)— sublime art by Noto, under $8 in NM.
• Black Widow #1 (2016, Mark Waid/Chris Samnee)— acclaimed run, under $8.

Underrated Runs to Buy Now

Lerun Edmondson/Phil Noto (2014-2015, 20 issues)is a visual masterpiece sold for next to nothing. Noto's art is magnificent and these issues are regularly found under $3 each. In ten years, this run will be recognized as a classic.

Lerun Kelly Thompson (2020-2021, 15 issues)was unanimously praised by critics. Available as a complete set for $20-30, it’s one of the best value for money on the current market.

Older, the seriesDaredevil #81-124 (1971-1975)— retitled “Daredevil and Black Widow” — offers major appearances by Natasha at a reasonable price ($5-15 per issue in average condition).

Where to find deals

Dollar bins and lots

Black Widow single-player is quintessential dollar bins territory. The 2004, 2010 and 2014 series are frequently found in the $1-2 bins. On eBay, "Black Widow complete run" lots often sell below their guide value because demand remains moderate compared to male characters.

Convention tip

Look for the numbers ofMarvel Team-Up, Marvel Fanfare and Solo Avengersfeaturing Black Widow — these series are systematically underpriced and sellers do not distinguish with ordinary numbers.

Raw vs slabbed: budget strategy

For Black Widow, stay raw at 99%. The slabbed market is almost non-existent for his modern solo series — the grading fees would exceed the value of the comic. Only Amazing Spider-Man #86 possibly warrants a slab if you find a high condition copy at a good price.

Newsstand and variants

The editionsnewsstandfrom the 1999 mini-series and the 2004 run are rare but not yet valued. VariantsPhil NotoetAdam Hugheson the 2014-2020 series are the most sought after and remain under $15 for the majority.

Modern keys under $20

• Black Widow #1 (2020, Kelly Thompson)— under $8 in NM.
• Black Widow #12 (2021)— major revelation about Natasha's past, under $5.
• Web of Black Widow #1 (2019)— underrated mini-series, under $5.
• Tales of Suspense #100 (2017)— Hawkeye & Winter Soldier looking for Natasha, under $8.

2nd prints and reading copies

The TPBs “Black Widow by Kelly Thompson” and “Black Widow by Waid & Samnee” can be found second-hand under $10 and offer complete readings. Second printings of #1 (2014 and 2016) exist but are as rare as first prints — favor first prints which are already cheap.

Reading copies vs investment copies

Black Widow is a character where the reading strategy is king: buy everything in reading copy (the prices are already so low that the distinction is marginal) and concentrate your "investment" budget on a single premium issue - an Amazing Spider-Man #86 in French or better. This is the number that carries the entire value of the collection over time.