SC
2 min readFeb 28, 2024

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Tons. More than can be put into a comment.

But I will say that she has a very similar skillset to Lisbeth Salander. She's technically savy, unorthodox, strategical thinker, marksman, martial arts fighting style but adaptive, wicked motorcycle skills. Black Widow has a wider ranging skillset too. She's multilingual (at least 11 languages), maintains a broad network, she's a Pretender (like in that show, she can insert herself believably into almost any environment), she's a pilot, survival skills, leadership, spycraft, acrobatics/gymnastics, weapons master, advanced combat tactician, stealth, iron will (she just doesn't stop), she also does have some small genetic enhancements via a Red Room version of the super soldier serum.

She's also suffered and overcome immense trauma. But in a way she's less morally ambiguous than Lisbeth Salander, in another way, it's comparable. She's one of the most resilient female characters in the MCU.

But she's not anti-social. Lisbeth is anti-social and carries a victim mentality. Natasha doesn't.

Frankly, it seems like you're hung up on her for not having real "super powers" yet still fighting alongside truly super powered people 'as a second fiddle'.

Black Widow is no one's second fiddle and hasn't been from the beginning. Just because one works within an organization or team rather than going it as an antisocial isolated tragic and tortured genius doesn't make them a second fiddle. She was integral to the success of the Avengers. Not a side kick. She saved Iron Man and War Hammer in the second movie, via hacking skills I might add.

Also, Batman didn't have super powers either. He's a favorite for that fact, that he chooses to go against those who do with the skillsets he busted his ass for.

It's the same with Black Widow.

She's a leader any young woman would be better off choosing as a mentor. One will be a better woman by emulating many of Black Widow's qualities and characteristics over Lisbeth Salander's. And, there's more on offer than what you get from still damaged Lisbeth Salander.

That said, I loved that series too and found her a compelling character. I did not find her arc completed. Shame the author died, because her arc is incomplete and it would have been nice to see her truly put the past behind her and move on and be able to trust people again. She can't. She's hobbled.

Also, she only helped other women when it was of benefit to her and she was somewhat sociopathic about it. It wasn't like she was standing up to be a champion like Black Widow did.

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