Black Widow (2021) 13

[Leoparis]

The entire issue takes place "Years ago."

Synopsis: The Black Widow in her grey costume fights an assassin called the Living Blade in Madripoor. She loses the fight and is badly shaken by the experience.

Analysis: She wore her grey costume from DD 187 (Oct 1982) to the mid-1990s. From DD annual 10 (1994) she adds the belt from her former black costume to the grey costume.

The only element from this story that might influence a placement is her multiple wounds and the time necessary to recover from these.

She joins the Avengers in A 329 (Feb 1991) and makes monthly appearances until 1996 so preferably before or after she joins.

She's in Madripoor in UX 268 (Sep 1990) with the same look (wrist cartridges, no belt).

Placing it after X 268 is logical.

BLACK WIDOW III/NATALIA ALIANOVNA ROMANOVA/"NATASHA ROMANOFF"
UX 268 Sep 90
*BW? 13-FB insert here.
M/CP 53/4 Jul 90
CA 373 Jul 90
CA 374
CA 376
CA 377 Sep 90
NSUB@ 1/4 Jun 91
M/CP 70/4 Feb 91
CA 383 Mar 91
A 329 Feb 91

Per the chrono lists, the largest gap for her to recover would be after CA 377.

Per the recent discussions on the 1990-91 lists, the order would be:

M/CP 53/4 Jul 90
CA 373 Jul 90
CA 374
CA 376
CA 377 Sep 90
M/CP 70/4 Feb 91
UX 268 Sep 90
*BW9 13-FB insert here.
NSUB@ 1/4 Jun 91
CA 383 Mar 91
A 329 Feb 91