Iron Maiden (Marvel Comics)

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Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden (Marvel Comics).jpg
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Fanfare #11 (November 1983)
Created byRalph Macchio
George Pérez
In-story information
Alter egoMelina Vostokova; Melina Von Vostokoff; Мелина Востокова
Team affiliationsThunderbolts
Femizons
Remont Six
AbilitiesIron Maiden possesses no superhuman abilities other than the iron suit she wears and a wide array of weaponry. She is a skilled assassin and an expert spy.

Iron Maiden (Melina Vostokova (birth name); Melina Von Vostokoff; Мелина Востокова) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She first appears in Marvel Fanfare #11 (November 1983) and was created by Ralph Macchio and George Pérez. The character is Russian and is depicted most notably an enemy of the Black Widow. She was a member of the Thunderbolts and Femizons.

The character made her live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Widow, portrayed by Rachel Weisz.

Publication history[]

Iron Maiden first appeared in Marvel Fanfare #11 (November 1983), created by Ralph Macchio and George Pérez.

Fictional character biography[]

Hired as an assassin for the Russian government, Iron Maiden fought Natalia Romanova aka Black Widow until S.H.I.E.L.D. agents arrived and put an end to the battle.[1] She then joined the Femizons and became one of Superia's lieutenants.[2]

She was eventually apprehended and coerced into joining the Thunderbolts during Civil War.[3]

She later joined the Soviet Revolutionaries Remont Six and led them in an attack on an AIM base outside the Forbidden Zone in Russia. Although her team overpowered Red Guardian and Crimson Dynamo with ease, Ursa Major was able to knock most of them out.[4]

Powers and abilities[]

Iron Maiden is a master assassin, horticulturalist and spy. She wears a lightweight but strong metal suit that protects her from impacts, bullets and energy weapons. It appears to function as a form of exoskeleton, enhancing her strength to an unknown degree.

Other versions[]

Ultimate Marvel[]

The Ultimate Marvel equivalent of Iron Maiden was an alternative codename for Natalia Romanova while sporting her own black suit of armor.[5]

Mangaverse[]

Iron Maiden is the superhero name of Antoinette "Toni" Stark.[6]

Earth X[]

A character with the same name plays a major role in the Earth X trilogy. She was a new character to this universe, without a known Earth-616 counterpart. A former employee of Reed Richards, she became encased in silver acid and was able to manipulate this armor into weapons. She was a servant of the Red Skull before the latter's death, and was later revealed to have the ability to manipulate all of Earth's vibranium.[volume & issue needed]

In other media[]

Rachel Weisz appears as Melina Vostokoff / Black Widow in the 2021 live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Black Widow.[7][8] This version is a seasoned spy, later lead scientist, for the Red Room and serves as a mother-figure to Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova.[9][10][11]: 4  While working for Dreykov, Vostokoff helped him develop a brainwashing mechanism that he used on Black Widows after Romanoff's defection. After reuniting with Romanoff, Belova, and Alexei Shostakov, Vostokoff joined them in their mission to liberate the Widows and terminate the Red Room once and for all.

References[]

  1. ^ Ralph Macchio, George Pérez (w), George Pérez (a). Marvel Fanfare #11-12 (January - March, 1984), Marvel Comics
  2. ^ Mark Gruenwald (w), Rik Levins (a). Captain America #389 (August, 1991), Marvel Comics
  3. ^ Fabian Nicieza (w), Tom Grummett (a). Thunderbolts #105 (October, 2006), Marvel Comics
  4. ^ David Gallaher (w), Steve Ellis (a). Hulk: Winter Guard #1 (December 3, 2009), Marvel Comics
  5. ^ Mark Millar (w), Bryan Hitch (a). Ultimates 2 #4 (May, 2005), Marvel Comics
  6. ^ Ben Dunn (w), Ben Dunn (a). Marvel Mangaverse: New Dawn #1 (March, 2002), Marvel Comics
  7. ^ Coggan, Devan (July 20, 2019). "Black Widow hits Comic-Con with first details of Scarlett Johansson film". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  8. ^ Campbell, Jacob (July 21, 2019). "Rachel Weisz Reveals She Is Playing Iron Maiden In 'Black Widow'". Full Circle Cinema. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  9. ^ Kile, Meredith (July 20, 2019). "Scarlett Johansson Ushers in the MCU's Female Future With 'Black Widow': 'It's Pretty Explosive' (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  10. ^ Knox, Kelly (December 12, 2019). "Black Widow: Rachel Weisz's Character Explained – Who Is Melina Vostokoff?". IGN. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  11. ^ "Black Widow Advance" (PDF). Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.

External links[]

  • Iron Maiden at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
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