Most audiences know Black Widow for her appearances in the massively successful Avengers film franchise, but she was initially introduced as being a far less predictable and far more immoral figure than the one portrayed by Scarlett Johannson. Natasha Romanoff started out as a Russian spy before defecting to The Avengers, becoming known for being one of the Russian government's most frequently employed assassins. One of her very first assignments brought her into direct conflict with Iron Man, which shows just how much belief her employers had in her abilities even at an early stage. Although Iron Man managed to hold her off, she matched him for long periods - and this was the point at which her renowned relationship with Hawkeye began. The KGB, regarding her feelings for him as a betrayal, had her shot. This is what ultimately resulted in her eventual election to join The Avengers. Her career as an assassin may have been short-lived, but Black Widow's skilled were honed as a contract killer. If it wasn't for her background as a Russian mercenary, she wouldn't have become the respected and feared Avenger that she is known as today.