The best budget entries for Black Widow: the Nathan Edmondson run (2014-2015) under $5 per issue, Black Widow #1 (2010, Marjorie Liu) under $10, and the Kelly Thompson run (2020) in full sets for $20-30.
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 how build 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
Le run 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.
Le run 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 series Daredevil #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 of Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Fanfare and Solo Avengers featuring 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 editions newsstand from the 1999 mini-series and the 2004 run are rare but not yet valued. Variants Phil Noto and Adam Hughes on 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.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2014 Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto run is an excellent entry point: 20 issues with superb art that are still very affordable. Black Widow #1 from 2010 (Marjorie Liu) and the 2020 Kelly Thompson run are other good choices.
Stay raw for almost everything. The slabbed market for modern solo series is virtually non-existent and grading fees would exceed the value of the comic. Only Amazing Spider-Man #86, in high grade, can justify slabbing.
The 2004, 2010 and 2014 series regularly appear in cheap bins. Issues of Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Fanfare and Solo Avengers featuring Black Widow are also often misidentified by sellers.
Tales of Suspense #52 (1964) is her first appearance, but it is expensive. On a tight budget, Amazing Spider-Man #86 (1970), with her first black costume, remains the most affordable premium piece.
The Phil Noto and Adam Hughes variants on the 2014 to 2020 series are the most sought after and remain affordable. Newsstand editions of the 1999 mini-series and the 2004 run are scarce but not yet priced in.