Black Widow #5 delayed six weeks

Black Widow cover
(Image credit: Adam Hughes (Marvel Comics))

It appears we might have an answer to why Marvel Comics decided not to plan an issue of Black Widow for February - work on the series appears behind schedule.

The publisher informed retailers overnight that January's Black Widow #5 has been delayed six weeks.

(Image credit: Adam Hughes (Marvel Comics))

In the last issue of Black Widow, Natasha's quiet and content retirement was shattered when it was revealed that her husband and children were a lie - created as part of an elaborate scheme to dupe the Avenger.

"The end is also the beginning... As Natasha finally begins to escape her paradise and takes aim on her enemies, she can't ignore that her freedom comes at a devastating cost," reads the solicitation for Black Widow #5. "Is this what finally breaks the Black Widow? Winning the day will change Natasha forever and set her on a bold new path. Losing... is no longer an option."

Originally solicited to hit shelves January 6, Black Widow #5 - the last part of the current arc - will now go on sale February 17. A collection of these first five issues remains set for March 16.

(Image credit: Adam Hughes (Marvel Comics))

Earlier this month writer Kelly Thompson said that February would be a "skip month" for the title, with it returning in March. Now with this schedule change, January is effectively that skip month. 

For those worried about the series, Thompson has assured readers that Marvel promised her at least ten issues of Black Widow, while "More will depend on whether we keep doing well!"

Presuming Black Widow resumes monthly shipping for March's #6, that would guarantee the series to last at least through July - which would cover their bases to coincide with the Black Widow movie release date as it stands now, May 7.

While you wait, make sure you've read all of the best Black Widow stories of all time.

Chris Arrant

Chris Arrant covered comic book news for Newsarama from 2003 to 2022 (and as editor/senior editor from 2015 to 2022) and has also written for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel Entertainment, TOKYOPOP, AdHouse Books, Cartoon Brew, Bleeding Cool, Comic Shop News, and CBR. He is the author of the book Modern: Masters Cliff Chiang, co-authored Art of Spider-Man Classic, and contributed to Dark Horse/Bedside Press' anthology Pros and (Comic) Cons. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. Chris is a member of the American Library Association's Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. (He/him)