'Black Widow' villain revealed in first look concept art

Marvel fans at San Diego Comic Con were treated to the first look at Scarlett Johansson’s upcoming Black Widow solo movie over the weekend, and while that video was just for those at the convention, concept artist Andy Park has thankfully shared a first look image online.

The picture, which Park calls a “keyframe illustration”, shows Romanoff tussling with Taskmaster, the 2020 film’s big bad guy (not to be confused with the comedy panel show on Dave).

Wearing a mask and hood, just like his comic counterpart, it’s impossible to see who is playing the role.

The first footage from the film, which is shooting in Europe now, showed Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff squaring off with Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova in Budapest. Apparently set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, but before those of Avengers: Infinity War, the film will likely see Pugh’s character joining forces with Romanoff, and eventually inheriting the mantle of Black Widow for future MCU films.

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The Comic Con footage reportedly ended with the scene depicted in the concept art, with Black Widow and Taskmaster battling on a bridge. The classic Marvel villain has a special power called “photographic” reflexes. This allows him to mirror any fight move he witnesses precisely in battle making him a formidable foe.

The Taskmaster character was first introduced to the comics in 1980, and was created by David Michelinie and George Perez. He’s not really tied to one particular superhero, like Doc Ock to Spider-Man for example, but he frequently crosses paths with Deadpool.

He’s appeared in a number of Marvel cartoons and video games - most recently in Marvel’s PS4 Spider-Man - but Black Widow will mark the live action debut of the popular villain.

Andy Park has been a comic book artist for over 20 years, working on titles such as Uncanny X-Men and Tomb Raider.

He’s now the Director of Visual Development/Concept Artist in the Visual Development Department at Marvel Studios which creates “the look and feel of the stories and characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe”.

He’s worked on every MCU film since 2010 including Captain America: The First Avenger, all four Avengers films, and looks set to continue working on all of Marvel’s ambitious Phase 4 slate.

Starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour and O. T. Fagbenle, Black Widow will come to cinemas in May, 2020.