Ava Orlova (Earth-3988)

Ava Anatalya Orlova was nine years old when she was rescued from the Russian mafia by Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow. Romanoff promised Ava she would return for her, but she never did. Ava was ultimately brought from Ukraine to the United States by S.H.I.E.L.D., who kept her under lockdown the following five years. Ava picked up knowledge from living with spies and escaped custody on her fourteenth birthday.

She started living on the streets of Brooklyn, where she met and befriended a girl named Oksana. When she was seventeen, Ava forcibly accompanied Oksana to a rave. In the middle of the party, Ava realized Oksana had disappeared. Ava made her way to a back room, where she attacked the boy who had lured Oksana into it and rescued her. After Oksana and herself were safe, Ava came to her senses on how violently she had reacted.

Later that night, Ava recalled her encounter with Romanoff, and how much of a disappointment she ended up being to her, but at the same time she was inspired by her to create her own vigilante identity, the Red Widow. Ava Orlova has recently become the link between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Russian Government while serving as an observer of the new Winter Guard assembled by Moscow as the main and most powerful group of superheroes of the Russia.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Electrical Powers Ava can channel electricity through firearms and along her sabers.

Abilities

Efficient Combatant: To her own surprise, Ava is an efficient combatant, being able to trounce people taller and bigger than herself.

Swordsmanship: Ava has taken fencing lessons at the YMCA.

Paraphernalia

Equipment

S.H.I.E.L.D. Gear: Ava received from S.H.I.E.L.D. special weaponry as an effective field operative agent.

Twin Sabers Her primary weapons are a pair of extendable and retractable sabers through which she can channel her powers.