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Quote1 I'm not a hero. I'm a thief. Born a thief. Raised a thief. Will die a thief. Quote2
Black Cat[src]

Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, is the daughter of the infamous cat burglar Walter Hardy, she inherited not only his skills but also a penchant for the daring world of theft. However, her life took a drastic turn during her college years when a traumatic assault by an ex-boyfriend spurred her to hone her combat skills and acrobatics. Deciding to embrace her father's legacy, Felicia adopted her new persona. Her choice was fueled by a desire for justice and empowerment after the harrowing experience. What made her stand out wasn't just her agility or combat prowess; it was her uncanny subconscious ability to manipulate probability fields, often leading to "bad luck" for her adversaries.

Initially introduced as an adversary to Spider-Man, their dynamic evolved over time. A compelling shift occurred when love bloomed between them, prompting Felicia to transition into an antiheroine and ultimately become Spider-Man's partner. However, their relationship was complex and layered. Felicia's affection was primarily for Spider-Man, not Peter Parker, leading to tensions and complications between their alter egos. Their romantic involvement ebbed and flowed, marked by periods of on-again, off-again dynamics. Their breakup highlighted the dichotomy between Felicia's attraction to Spider-Man's heroic persona and her disinterest in Peter's civilian life. Despite the romantic turmoil, Black Cat remained one of Spider-Man's most trusted allies, showcasing her loyalty and unwavering dedication to their partnership.

Throughout their tumultuous history, the Black Cat has navigated the blurred lines between enemy, love interest, and ally. Her evolution from a villain to a morally ambiguous antihero reflects the complexity and depth of her character.

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What is Felicia Hardy's superhero name? toggle section
Felicia Hardy's superhero name is Black Cat.
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Who are some of Black Cat's relatives? toggle section
Black Cat's parents are Walter Hardy (father, deceased) and Lydia Hardy (mother). She also has a niece named Lou (presumably Louise) and was once bonded with the symbiote Mania.
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Where is Black Cat's base of operations? toggle section
Black Cat's base of operations is in Manhattan, New York City, New York.
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When did Black Cat first appear in comics? toggle section
Black Cat first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #194 in April 1979.
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Black Cat was trained by the Black Fox, her father's mentor, alongside fellow thief Tamara Blake.
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History

Early Life[]

Felicia Hardy's father Walter Hardy was a world-renowned cat burglar who, before his arrest, encouraged her to never settle for second best. For example, if she loved basketball, she should work to become a basketball player and not just a cheerleader.[12]

During her freshman year in college, she had gone to a party and was nearly raped by a drunken student in a bathroom, when she was saved by another student, named Ryan. Felicia and Ryan became close friends, spending most of their time together until one night Ryan demanded that it was time for their relationship to become physical. Felicia's protests were in vain. Hating the idea of being a victim, she decided that she would murder her rapist despite the consequences. She put aside her studies and began training in various fighting styles and acrobatics. After months of preparing, she set out for revenge, but before she could find him, Ryan was killed in a drunk driving accident.[13]

Black Cat[]

Furious that she was denied the chance to steal the life of the man who had stolen hers, and feeling reckless, Hardy decided to utilize her new skills to follow in the footsteps of her father. After having been arrested, Felicia was freed from prison by the Black Fox, her father's mentor, who took Felicia as his new pupil.[11] She was trained by Black Fox alongside fellow thief Tamara Blake and although the latter was better than Felicia, Black Fox favoured Hardy due to her having genuine joy in theft and not being in it for just the money.[14] After amassing a fortune in stolen items, Felicia chose to adopt a costume identity. She first donned the Black Cat costume in order to break her father out of prison. On the same night, she met Spider-Man. Despite her antipathy towards men, Felicia felt a kinship with this lone hero. Spider-Man was the first man she felt she could trust, and she grew to love him.[15]

Felicia looked for a way to earn his trust and continued with the Black Cat persona as a misguided attempt to attract his affection. However, she was still cunning enough to fake mental instability when captured, ensuring she was housed in a less secure facility.[16] When she was released, Felicia initially agreed to go straight for Spider-Man, and the web-slinger even had his friend on the force Captain DeWolff begin drawing up amnesty papers. The Black Cat decided to pull one last big score, however, and attempted to manipulate Spider-Man into joining her life of crime. He tried to capture her again, but Felicia seemingly flung herself to her death rather than go back to jail. Captain DeWolff ironically arrived with the now useless amnesty papers shortly after.[17]

Relationship With Spider-Man[]

Peter Parker and Felicia Hardy (Earth-616) from Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 194 0001

The Black Cat finally found the opportunity to prove herself after learning the Kingpin controlled an incredibly powerful detonator. The Owl planned to use the weapon to hold New York City hostage. Doctor Octopus, however, planned to use the weapon to destroy the city altogether. But the Black Cat was able to use her abilities to steal the item first and protect it from all parties. She gave the detonator to Spider-Man and became the target of Doc Ock's revenge. Although Spider-Man was able to tear off his mechanical appendages, Octopus was still able to mentally control them and hold the Black Cat still while his men opened fire. Spider-Man barely got her to the hospital in time and as they operated on the dozens of bullet and knife wounds, Peter realized just how much he cared for Felicia, eventually starting to love her.[18]

After she recovered, they began a relationship and soon Peter revealed his identity to her. But Felicia had great difficulty accepting the fact that Peter was just a man beneath the mask and couldn't understand his need for a civilian life. Peter was hurt, but continued the relationship since it was the first time he didn't need to hide his life as Spider-Man.[19]

Initially, the "accidents" which seemed to befall those who crossed the Black Cat's path were merely well-planned stunts and traps. After her near-death experience,[20] Felicia feared her lack of superpowers made her a liability for Spider-Man. She was terrified that his overwhelming need to protect her would eventually kill him. So, when Spider-Man disappeared during the "Secret Wars", Felicia sought out a way to make herself Spider-Man's equal. After being rejected by the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, Felicia was offered an opportunity to undergo a process similar to that used to create the Scorpion and the Fly. Only after the process was completed did Felicia learn the power came from the Kingpin.[21]

Afraid of how Spider-Man would react, she kept her new abilities secret from Peter. Her newly gained 'bad luck' power was infectious and began to permanently jinx Spider-Man, which was exactly the Kingpin's intent. Feeling a wall of secrets growing between them, Spider-Man broke up with Felicia, which infuriated her since she was just about to break up with him to protect him from the effects of her "jinx".[22]

Spider-Man eventually realized something was amiss with his own luck and enlisted the aid of Doctor Strange. Strange determined there was a permanent "bad luck" aura around Spider-Man. Peter rightly connected the phenomena to Felicia, but unfairly assumed she did it on purpose. He told Doctor Strange to remove the jinx despite Strange's warnings it might have unexpected side effects on Felicia. Indeed, Strange's magic not only removed the jinx but changed the Black Cat's powers in the process. She discovered her bad luck powers were gone, but replaced by a heightened strength, agility, balance, vision, and retractable claws.[23]

The Black Cat updated her look and her attitude and rekindled her relationship with Spider-Man. She made peace with his need for a normal life as Peter Parker and stood by him while he was being accused of murder as Spider-Man.[24]

Together they tracked down the source of the elaborate scheme to frame him and fought the mercenary known as the Foreigner. Eventually, just as his life seemed to be coming together, Spider-Man came home to discover Black Cat discussing her plans to ruin his life. He followed her to find she had never forgiven him for breaking up with her and in revenge became the Foreigner's lover.

Yet, during her ruse and despite her anger, Felicia began to fall back in love with Peter. In the end, the Black Cat double crossed the Foreigner and left for Europe to find a new life, which unexpectedly pushed Peter to find support and a new relationship with Mary Jane Watson.[25]

Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 606 Textless

Black Cat and Spider-Man kiss

Months later, the Black Cat returned to America to seek out Peter Parker and was devastated when informed by Venom that Peter had married Mary Jane Watson.[26] Angry and jealous, Felicia began harassing the couple, physically threatening Mary Jane and taunting Peter as she dated his friend Flash Thompson.[27] The Black Cat eventually moved past her feelings of anger and jealousy, and became friends with both Spider-Man and Mary Jane.

After Spider-Man used a device to remove his superhuman abilities, the Black Cat aided him in finding the device again in order to restore them. But in the process, the Black Cat's cat-like abilities were completely erased.[28] She subsequently purchased equipment from the Tinkerer to incorporate into her costume in order to compensate for her lost abilities, and occasionally teamed up with Spider-Man.[29]

New Life[]

Felicia began to sincerely care for Thompson, but he eventually broke up with her when he found out her secret,[30] and she went on to open her own private detective and security consultants' firm.[31]

At some point after this, Black Cat - along with the mutant Wolverine - were kidnapped and forced to survive against multiple assailants on an uninhabited island. They managed to survive many traps, including the volcano in the middle of the island erupting, and tracked down the one who kidnapped them, Arcade. They easily tracked him down and left him tied up on in the Savage Land.[3]

Civil War[]

After Spider-Man unmasked himself during the Superhuman Civil War resulting from the Superhuman Registration Act, Black Cat was enraged because she felt he had broken the bond she shared with him over knowing his secret identity. Though she was dating Puma, her new romantic interest noted that Felicia appeared to still have some romantic inclinations toward Peter.[32] In the aftermath of the conflict, Peter found a way to magically erase the public knowledge of his alter-ego.[33][34] During the civil war, Black Cat accepted an offer from Misty Knight and Colleen Wing in the new Heroes for Hire. Felicia, along with her teammates, were assigned to apprehend any unregistered heroes.[35]

Back Solo[]

Peter Parker (Earth-616) and Felicia Hardy (Earth-616) from Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 606 0001

Felicia eventually left Puma and resumed her life of crime,[36] also regaining her bad luck powers by the hand of supervillain scientist Doc Tramma in addition to retractile cybernetic claws.[37] Black Cat returned to Spider-Man's life when he stumbled upon her before a break-in.[36] After spending the night together she and Spider-Man took the chance to rekindle their old relationship, with no strings attached and masks kept on at all times.[38] They became an on-again-off-again team, working together against Mr. Negative and others. Felicia stole a vial of Peter's blood back from Negative[39] and promptly sold it to a group of vampire wannabes, leading Spidey to Morbius.[40] Around this time, Felicia was forced to work for Sasha Kravinoff after her mother was kidnapped. She was forced to steal back the lost family possessions that had been missing since the Russian Revolution.[41]

Felicia and Peter parted ways as a couple when Peter began dating Carlie Cooper. However, when Spider-Man was captured by Doc Tramma, Mary Jane Watson was able to contact the Cat to help her save him. Together they rescued Spider-Man and defeated Tramma. The next day Felicia invited Mary Jane out to lunch and the two of them became fast friends.[42]

When a Wi-Fi hologram projector created by a scientist named Wasserschmidt at Horizon Labs was stolen, Felicia was framed and imprisoned. Escaping from custody, Black Cat tried to find who framed her, encountering both Daredevil and Spider-Man. The trio went to Wasserschmidt's apartment to find any clue, when they find Wasserschmidt himself in a secret room. According to Wasserschmidt himself, Terra-One Corporate forced him to commit the theft. While Spidey took Wasserschmidt to a hospital, Felicia and Daredevil went to Terra-One, there, they found the Black Spectre trying to get the projector.[43]

Daredevil stopped them while Black Cat found herself with the mastermind of this plan, who wanted Felicia to get him a Omegadrive, a piece of technology with data about every criminal organization, which was presently in the hands of Matt Murdock, Daredevil's alter-ego. Felicia attempted to start an affair with Murdock in order to get into his apartment, but they didn't consolidate a romance due to Matt being was called to action.[44] Felicia was tempted to steal the Omegadrive from Murdock, but opted not to, and departed, leaving behind a note warning Matt that Black Spectre was after him. In the end, she fell in love with Matt. Due to having betrayed Black Spectre, Felicia went into hiding until the matter was resolved.[44]

Downfall and Rise to Crime Boss[]

Felicia Hardy (Earth-616) from Venom Vol 3 2 001

Black Cat and her gang!

Having grown tired of her superhero and criminal activities, Felicia started to save money to retire.[45] During this time, Doctor Octopus had switched bodies with Spider-Man and taken over his life. When he bumped into Felicia in the act of a robbery, he attacked her abruptly and left her to the police.[46] Felicia's stolen treasures were repossessed, and her criminal contacts broke all ties with her. After escaping when Electro destroyed the penitentiary, Felicia got a new costume and vowed to make Spider-Man pay for what happened to her, without knowing at this time the real Peter Parker was behind the mask once again.[47]

Having become heartless and revengeful, Felicia set out to become a crime boss rather than a simple cat burglar.[48] She formed an alliance with Electro, another villain who suffered by Spider-Man's hand when Octavius was possessing his body,[49] and used him as an enforcer to establish some dominance over the underworld. Felicia then set her sights on Parker Industries, Peter's own company which began developing a project for a new super-prison. Felicia and Electro interrupted a Parker Industries press conference, drawing Spider-Man's attention and almost unmasking him in the ensuing confrontation;[48] however, he was saved by his newest ally Silk. Black Cat and Electro then attacked a demonstration of a device developed to depower the latter, during which the device ended up fulfilling its task. After cutting ties with Electro, Felicia consolidated her role as a crime boss by assembling her own gang of super-powered villains.[50]

Kingpin War[]

Now established as a major player in the underworld, Felicia bought the Bar with No Name[51] and, later, allied herself with Hammerhead to take down the new Spider-Man,[52] which marked the beginning of a formal partnership, as Hammerhead eventually became Black Cat's muscle and second in command.[53] Felicia's position was soon contested by up-and-comer Diamondback, who initially tried to make business with Felicia,[54] but later fatally injured her after she refused.[55] Felicia was saved by the Defenders and treated in a hospital,[56] from which she fled after waking up.[57]

While still recovering, the Black Cat attended a meeting organized by Mayor Wilson Fisk, although this turned out to be a setup for her and other crime lords.[58] She was arrested and placed in a holding cell in Ryker's Island, but alongside the other mob bosses was released by Deputy Mayor Matt Murdock provided she aided in the battle against the Hand.[59] She later assisted the Defenders when they fought Diamondback outside Club Ultimate. She shot him multiple times with a high-tech rifle, knocking him out.[60] Felicia had been detained by the time The Hood filled the void left by Diamondback. She cajoled for her release in exchange of The Hood's whereabouts and plans, that being to create a network of crime territories across the East Coast, with Hood himself as the "Kingpin of all Kingpins."[61]

Venom Inc.[]

Amazing Spider-Man Vol 4 9 Women of Power Variant Textless

After losing the Venom symbiote to its former owner Eddie Brock, Lee Price stole the Mania Symbiote from Andi Benton and used it to establish a criminal gang. He forced pieces of the symbiote into the faces of small-time criminals to control their minds, and formed his Inklings.[62] After obtaining a measurable amount of manpower, Lee attacked Black Cat's operations and used the Mania symbiote to take control of her subordinates and Felicia herself.[63] Since Black Cat's gang had been invited for the very first time to the gathering of the five largest crime families in the world, Lee seized Black Cat's operations so to make his way into the gathering and take control of the other families.[64]

When Spider-Man and Anti-Venom stumbled upon Lee's operations, Black Cat used what little free will she had to force herself to enter in contact with Anti-Venom, destroying the piece of symbiote controlling her.[65] Felicia then joined forces with Venom to procure samples of the Anti-Venom serum developed by Alchemax, and used it to free Spider-Man, who had fallen under Maniac's control. The alliance learned of Maniac's endgame from Spider-Man,[64] and made its way to the gathering to confront Maniac and the Inklings. After using weaponry coated with Anti-Venom to free those under Maniac's control, Price had the remains of the pieces of symbiotes used to control people merge with him to make him stronger.[66] Even though Maniac initially overpowered the heroes, Black Cat discovered that the body of those once controlled by Maniac developed immunity after being freed with the Anti-Venom. Spider-Man had Anti-Venom absorb a sample of his blood so to absorb its "Anti-Maniac" properties, giving him the boost necessary to neutralize Price.

Following Price's defeat, the alliance disbanded. Since they had worked together, Black Cat considered her feud with Spider-Man was over. When Felicia returned to her base of operations seeing that she lost her clout, Venom suggested her to see it as a fresh start, and to give up on trying to become a crime boss, arguing she could return to vigilantism.[67] Despite Eddie's hopes that Felicia had forgiven him for their initial encounter, she proved to still hold a grudge against him - dismissing him as a vicious monster to a bar full of supervillains.[68]

Fresh Start[]

Peter Parker (Earth-616) and Felicia Hardy (Earth-616) from Amazing Spider-Man Vol 5 10 001

Spider-Man unmasks again to Black Cat

After the Thieves Guild, an ancient society of criminals, set out to return to prominence by stealing equipment and gear from the superhero community,[69] Black Cat sought Spider-Man's assistance to find and return the stolen possessions since she believed they were necessary to protect innocent lives, though she intended to keep a share of the loot. As a member of the Guild, she was able to infiltrate their hideout and confront them and their leader, Odessa Drake.[70] The Thieves retreated after Spider-Man managed to alert the superhero community of their location, and their items were reclaimed. Afterwards, Felicia had a heart-to-heart with Spider-Man, and revealed her recent descent into villainy and mental state were greatly influenced by the fact that when she forgot Spider-Man's secret identity alongside the rest of the world, she additionally had lost all memories that revolved around his alter-ego, a significant part of her life that she still cherished. In response, Spider-Man took off his mask in front of Felicia, revealing his secret again to her and consolidating their friendship.[71]

Hunted[]

Once Spider-Man had revealed his secret identity again, Felicia began to have continuous flashbacks about their relationship, which made her feel pained and angry.[72] Upon hearing that her ex-partner Hammerhead was looking for her, Felicia went to his lair and knocked out his henchmen, but at this point Hammerhead told her that he didn't want to take revenge on her, but that he wanted her help to track down his new partner, the Owl, kidnapped by Taskmaster and Black Ant, offering her the Owsley Cave that she could plunder with impunity, and after some hesitation Felicia accepted.[72] With some difficulty the Cat managed to locate the two ex-agents of the S.H.I.E.L.D. and while looking for the Owl she ran into the terrified Billy Connors. After reassuring him with a little lie, Felicia ran away intending to free only Owsley and then informed the Spider and the other superheroes, before hearing that the two mercenaries wanted to take the boy away.[72] At that point Felicia returned to free him ... and was instead attacked by Taskmaster and Black Ant.[72] In fact, the Cat had fallen into a trap to which Hammerhead sent her to take revenge on her; fortunately during the clash she realized that the ring Peter had given to her was actually a modified Spider-Tracer so that she could contact him, managed to distance the two enemies, and used the Tracer to send an S.O.S. to the Spider.[72] Felicia tried to cheer up Billy as best she could for the duration of their captivity, and shortly thereafter found out that Kraven was behind the kidnappings. When he made her understand that he wanted to use her and little Connors as bait to lure the Spider into a trap, Felicia went on a rampage, feeling insulted and humiliated.[73]

Eventually Felicia managed to escape with Billy, but unfortunately Kraven had transported all his prisoners to Central Park, which had been sealed off by a force field, and where robot-hunters were prowling ready to eliminate anyone.[74] Shortly after the two were attacked by one of those hunters who managed to hurt Felicia, but fortunately when he saw that Billy was only a child he decided to let them go.[75] Shortly thereafter the two were attacked again, this time by Kraven's clone.[76] Felicia did her best to protect Billy, but was overwhelmed.[77] Luckily Lizard arrived in time to save both his son and Felicia and run away.[77] After the force field collapsed, Felicia brought Billy home.[78]

Further Heists[]

When the daughter of a Maggia leader asked Black Cat to help her and her fiancé escape the Maggia martyr wedding, Felicia recruited the help of Spider-Man, Boris Korpse, and Bruno Grainger. They formulated a plan to steal the money from the Maggia's catacombs which involved her and Spider-Man replacing the couple on their wedding. While the other members of her crew did their part, she and Spider-Man were able to get the money and escape. In the aftermath, Black Cat and Spider-Man parted ways, and she, Bruno and Boris went on another heist.[1]

After doing a heist at a museum to steal a painting from the Frick Collection,[79] she and her crew were hired by her former teacher, the Black Fox, to steal the Original Deed to the Island of Manhattan from the Sanctum Sanctorum. They recruited the help of the magician Xander to help them break into the Sanctorum. They were able to get what they wanted, but Xander had other plans and stole the Star-Stone.[11] He attacked them, but Black Cat's luck power allowed her to defeat him and escape unharmed.[7]

After that, they then went the Fantastic Four's Uptown Pawn to steal the Papers of Phineas Randall. However, their plan was interrupted by Sonny Ocampo and the arrival of Blastaar.[80] They were able to fend Blastaar off and leave with the prize.[81]

After that heist, Felicia took a night off to go on a date with Batroc the Leaper and during that time, Odessa Drake had the Black Fox kidnapped.[82] Black Cat then went to the New York Thieves Guild to free her teacher. She confronted Drake who told her that there would be war between them.[83]

Fearing for her mother's safety due to Odessa's declaration of war, Felicia set her mother up on a cruise to Berlin. Talking with her mother left her feeling off, so she hired Beetle to accompany her when she went to Rand Tower to scan the Randall Gate which was inside it. While Black Cat was scanning it, Gork appeared and began to lick her face. Pei arrived soon afterwards and immediately attacked the two trespassers. Iron Fist then appeared and engaged them. Black Cat noted that he wasn't fighting seriously, and he answered that it's nice to fight a villain that isn't trying to kill him. He eventually grabbed the scanner out of her hand. She stated that the device wasn't recording data but was instead transmitting it to an associate and since it had finished, she had it explode in a flash of light which momentarily blinded everyone except Beetle and Black Cat who used the distraction to escape. Shortly afterwards, Odessa had the Black Cat's base blown up.[84]

The next item on the list was a painting which was a companion piece to the painting that they stole from the Frick Collection. It was last known to be in the custody of a "Mr. Patch" in Madripoor. Black Cat and the crew went there and after asking around were able to locate Mr. Patch's place only to find that it had already been cleaned out and Mr. Patch, who was revealed to be Wolverine, arrived soon afterwards. A business card had been left behind revealing that it was Kade Kilgore who took everything. Black Cat offered to help get all of Wolverine's stuff back if he agreed to give her the painting and he accepted.[85] They were successful and as promised, he gave her the painting while taking everything else which were revealed to be papers and various things which had a sentimental value to Wolverine and no monetary value to the Black Cat.[86]

After Ceres Goldstein finished building a Randall Gate based on the specs that Black Cat had given her, she had it delivered to the Black Cat in New Jersey. In order to properly use the Randall Gate, a dimensional resonator would be needed to function as a key. The next target was to go to Stark Unlimited and use the Nanoforge within it to construct that key. Black Cat entered the building posing as a reporter to interview Tony Stark and much to her chagrin, Stark had been romantically linked with at least two red haired women, so she had to wear a red wig in order to get close enough to Stark to in order to touch him and clone his security credentials from the nanites in his body with her phone. After that, Firepower, who had been hired by the Black Cat, attacked to create a distraction. She took advantage of the chaos and headed for the Nanoforge but was intercepted by Bethany Cabe. Black Cat quickly subdued Bethany with a Narcpatch and used the Nanoforge to construct the key. Unfortunately, Iron Man had defeated Firepower and when he found out that his Nanoforge was active he immediately went there to investigate. Black Cat had the Nanoforge construct a Cat-themed suit[9] and used it to engage Iron Man and after evading him, used it to attack Odessa Drake in her home as revenge for blowing up her base. After Iron Man arrived, her suit broke down, only to reveal that she wasn't in the suit and was remote piloting it from back in the Nanoforge. Black Cat then freed Firepower and left Stark Unlimited with the key before Iron Man could return.[87]

King in Black[]

Black Cat Vol 2 2 Textless

The queen in black

During Knull's invasion, Black Cat and her gang were attempting to steal from a group of thieves who had stolen laundered money from an old S.H.I.E.L.D. cache but the heist was interrupted by a Symbiote Dragon. She decided to find out who was responsible and, in the process, came across Captain America and other heroes fighting off the symbiote invasion. After Doctor Strange was defeated by the symbiotes, Captain America told Black Cat to rescue Doctor Strange before he and many other heroes succumbed to the symbiotes. She then gathered her crew together and met with Dr. Steve to help her carry out the plan to steal Doctor Strange from Knull.[88] Using Dr. Steve's Anti-Venom Serum to protect her from the symbiotes, she parachuted with Bats, the ghost dog, whom she recruited to help her find Doctor Strange and bring Dr. Strange's Yggdrasil Staff. After breaking into the symbiotic prison, they were able to rescue Doctor Strange and as the symbiote dragons chased them, they were unable to wake up Doctor Strange, so she attempted to use the Yggdrasil staff herself.[89] The wild magic from Yggdrasil attempted to tempt Felicia in many ways in order to get her to consent into becoming a conduit for it. It nearly succeeded until it made the mistake of tempting Felicia into trying to make Spider-Man and her other former love interests into loving her. She balked at the temptation and rejected the magic. Doctor Strange, who had regained consciousness during her struggle, complimented her for resisting. She then asked him to teleport her crew to safety while she, Bats, and Strange would stay and fight the symbiotes.[90]

When Marvel Girl used her psychic powers to inform the heroes about her architected plan to attack Knull directly, Doctor Strange asked Felicia to hand over the staff, using its magic to attack the dark god along with the other heroes. Following Knull's defeat after a deceased Eddie merged with the God of Light, Felicia resumed to her activities.[91]

Beyond[]

Following Peter Parker's hospitalization due to an encounter with the U-Foes,[92] Black Cat snuck herself into an unconscious Peter's room to comfort him. MJ caught her but the two reconciled after Peter begins to wake.[93] When Peter recovered enough to move, he attempted to fight crime by himself and nearly got himself killed.[94] In response to this, Black Cat and Captain America teamed up to train Peter to get him back into fighting shape. MJ had given Black Cat Peter's suit but Felicia withheld it from Peter believing he wasn't ready for it yet.[95] Meanwhile, she and MJ teamed up to deal with the Hood and the two bonded.[96] When Queen Goblin attacked the Bugle and MJ, Black Cat went instead of the still-weakened Peter. Unfortunately, she fell victim to the Goblin's gaze, but she was saved by Peter. Satisfied, Black Cat and MJ returned Peter his suit.[97]

What did Spider-Man do?[]

Following an incident that decimated territory in southern Pennsylvania, Peter was once again alienated from many of his heroic and personal ties, but not from Felicia who, when she learned he was having a hard time, first went to ask about him with Mary Jane, then went to check on how he was doing.[98] Later, she caught Peter on the roof of his apartment and let him know she was worried about him. He brush her off, telling her he needed to deal with his problems on his own. She left, giving a bit of advice and offering to let him chase her around a bit when he starts feelings better.[99]

Sometime later Felicia went to Peter's birthday party and seemed jealous, when she saw him talking to another of his exes Bobbi Morse.[100] Shortly thereafter Jonah was dragged into the party by Doctor Octopus' tentacles which then carried him away and Peter ran to help him.[100] Shortly thereafter Felicia and the other guests were kidnapped by the Ultra Living Brain who wanted to find out who Spider-Man was.[100] The latter reached them and put the robot to flight, entrusting Felicia and Flash with the task of securing civilians; after doing so, the cat reached the spider, but by now he had already defeated the robot and asked her to take him to the Fantastic Four.[100]
Peter Parker (Earth-616) and Felicia Hardy (Earth-616) from Amazing Spider-Man Vol 6 6 001

Black Cat's birthday present to Spider-Man.

Felicia said she would leave it to Dr. Korpse and wanting to console Peter for the way his birthday had gone she gave him a kiss.[100]

Some time later, Peter called Felicia and asked her out and she said she would think about it.[101]

Dark Web[]

When Demons began invading New York again Felicia went to Mary Jane place to help her because she knew Peter would want her to be safe. To Felicia's surprise she discovered Mary Jane had powers of her own. After calling Iron Man to send help for Mary Jane's family. Felicia and Mary Jane are then dragged to Limbo by Belasco. Belasco tasks Felicia and Mary Jane to acquire the Soulsword in the screaming tower. Felicia is also anxious about keeping her new relationship with Peter a secret from Mary Jane. She want to tell her but feels like it would distract them from their goal. Using the mystic compass provided by Belasco Felicia and Mary along with the monster Sy'm, who saves them from a bottomless pit forming a temporary alliance with him find the soulsword in the tower but realise they aren't the only ones hunting the soulsword with many other parties including Hydra and limbo monsters. After several times of turning on her powers Mary Jane gets bad spins realises that Felicia's bad luck powers are impacting it. This makes Mary Jane realise Felicia sees her as a threat causing Felicia to confess that she and Peter are now in a relationship while trying to not be devoured by the Guardian Monster. Felicia, Mary Jane and S'ym eventually defeat the Guardian and reach the Soulsword. While Mary Jane is angry for Felicia would think she would want to get back with Peter but eventually forgives her.

Arriving back at Castle Belasco in Limbo, Belasco inquires of Black Cat and Mary Jane after leaving The Screaming Tower. As he asks what happened following their exit, Felicia claims they fought their way out using S'ym to fight the armies for their escape. Mary Jane continues that they ditched S'ym as soon as the fighting began, as they wouldn't have survived, and Felicia concludes that keeping S'ym around was their exit strategy. hile Belasco boasts about upholding his end of the bargain to return Mary Jane to Earth, both ladies stand imbued with half the Soulsword each, and Felicia recalls how they did so. While Felicia was going to make the sacrifice, Mary Jane stopped her to remind her that they were a team. As their teamwork saved S'ym to inform them of the Soulsword's secret, Felicia deduced that working together would lighten the burden of the damned artifact, allowing them not to be bonded and free from entrapment in Limbo.Belasco questions how they duped him, the ladies answer they didn't abandon S'ym and tested their swords on the hordes. They corner Belasco while Felicia tries to workshop a super name for Mary Jane, who directs her to focus against Belasco.

Pinning him with their halves, Belasco claims to yield but the duo have their doubts. So Felicia tells Belasco he will comply because his new boss will make him, revealing a still living S'ym, who announces himself as an opposition party to Maddie Pryor's rule. Possessing the Soulsword AND soul-compass, S'ym figured that made Belasco his minion. Shortly thereafter, they turn down S'ym's offer to stay and Belasco opens a portal for them while swearing revenge, but Felicia mocks him saying she doesn't speak "whiny loser." The two leave Limbo and arrive in New York City, and Mary Jane asks to be taken home to check up on Paul and the kids. With their friendship mended, Mary Jane invites Felicia out for drinks next week while Felicia is cautious since she and Peter were only together until six months ago. Mary Jane tells Felicia she won't go into specifics, but it only six months by Felicia's perspective when really she was gone far longer. At her apartment, Mary Jane hugs Paul and the kids and introduces her friend, the Black Cat.

Once more dating, Peter accompanied Felicia to an upstate spa retreat to open up about his split with Mary Jane. There they found White Rabbit and Kareem renting out villain tech to rich start-up geniuses, the Synergists, who's leader Mychal was found dead, sparking a battle. The heroic and criminal duos subdued the Synergists while destroying their tech, exposing Mychal faked his death with Mysterio tech to test the group loyalty. After leaving them for the authorities, Peter opened up to Felicia about his love for Mary Jane likely changing from romantic to cordial. Felicia then kisses Peter passionatly and that was what she wanted: For Peter to be honest with her. Sometime later Felicia and Peter take a trip to wedding event in Oregon. Felicia is inviting him to dance but Peter is reluctant. Just as he is about to join Felicia he sees a thief steal the wedding gifts. By the time he gets back after stopping the thief the last dance has finished and Felicia is annoyed with him. Buy Peter then invites Felicia to stargaze with him all night and that makes her forgive Peter.

Personality

Quote1 I know I shouldn't feel guilty. I'm just doing this to protect our relationship. I'm... I'm doing the right thing. So why do I feel like it's so wrong? Quote2
Black Cat[src]

Greedy, vengeful, and cynical, much of Felicia Hardy's life has been shaped by loss and trauma -- leaving her a jaded woman who looks out for herself at the expense of others.[90] Despite scoffing at the idea of being a super hero,[102] Felicia has frequently acted as a vigilante anti-hero - largely due to Spider-Man's influence on her;[21] and has also at-times gone straight and used her powers for good as both a vigilante and a private investigator.[31]

Encouraged by her father to always be the best,[12] Felicia channelled her rage and humiliation at having been raped into following in her father's footsteps as a cat-burglar. After adopting the persona of the Black Cat, Felicia reveled in the freedom it gave her and all-but completely discarded her civilian identity, being perplexed by Spider-Man's unwillingness to do so as well.[15][19][103]

Hating feeling weak more than anything, Felicia bargained with the Kingpin to obtain superpowers after nearly being killed by Doctor Octopus,[18][21] but this cost her relationship with Spider-Man and wasn't enough to save her from nearly being killed by Venom.[26] When promised limitless power by a mental avatar of the divine magic of Yggdrasill, Felicia nearly accepted when offered limitless riches and revenge against everyone who'd ever wronged her, but was outraged and disgusted when it suggested she use her godhood to brainwash her former lovers into becoming her personal harem.[90]

Felicia's often-ruthless vindictiveness can be shown by her swearing revenge on Spider-Man after the Superior Spider-Man beat her to a pulp and left her for the police, disregarding Peter Parker's explanation that Otto Octavius had swapped minds with him;[46][47] her hatred towards Eddie Brock for the time he almost killed her; and her rage towards Lee Price for having humiliated and enslaved her.[88][90] While she eventually forgave Spider-Man,[71] she continues to hold an intense grudge against Eddie despite his efforts to redeem himself - sneering that he would always be a loser and a monster in her eyes.[68][88] Despite this, she is willing to set aside her grudges and work together with her enemies when faced with a threat she can't overcome alone.[104][64]

Attributes

Power Grid[114]
:Category:Power Grid/Fighting Skills/Some Training:Category:Power Grid/Energy Projection/Single Type: Short Range:Category:Power Grid/Energy Projection/None:Category:Power Grid/Durability/Normal:Category:Power Grid/Speed/Superhuman:Category:Power Grid/Speed/Normal:Category:Power Grid/Strength/Superhuman (800 lbs-25 ton):Category:Power Grid/Strength/Normal:Category:Power Grid/Intelligence/Normal

Powers

  • Tychokinesis: The Black Cat's original "bad luck" powers were imbued by scientists working for the Kingpin through a bargain made with him.[21] After they were removed by Doctor Strange,[105] Felicia sought help from a supervillain scientist Doc Tramma. She grafted cybernetic enhancements to Felicia's body, namely a quantum probability pulsator, that causes "bad luck" to other people.[106] This power allows her to subliminally affect probability fields, which would cause improbable, though not impossible, events of "bad luck" to occur to enemies within her line of sight. As the Black Cat grew ruthless, her "bad luck" powers became more effective.[107] This power also affects magic (manipulation of local probability fields), giving Felicia some protection against magical spells.[7]
    • The Puma's heightened senses detected Black Cat's bad luck superpower as a distinct aura, more active when she was under attack, but failed to identify its specific effect.[108]
  • Claws: As part of the cybernetic enhancements grafted by Doc Tramma, Felicia possesses the ability to extend her nails into sharp claws.[37][9]

Abilities

  • Expert Thief: Felicia is a skilled (somewhat reformed) thief skilled in stealth, picking locks, escapology, evading alarms and cracking safes.[109]
  • Olympic Level Athlete: She has reflexes, agility, and stamina of an Olympic level acrobat, and is capable of many exceptional feats. She is physically very strong and athletic and has great physical endurance.[109]
  • Skilled Martial Artist: She has been trained in several martial arts; most notably Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate and Judo which she specializes in.[109] Felicia is capable of taking on several armed assailants and incapacitating them without being injured herself. Her strength and, when pushed too far, ferocity in battle has proven to be overwhelming enough to defeat the mutant assassin known as Sabretooth.

Weaknesses

Proximity to Other Probability Manipulators: Felicia's powers malfunction when near other people with the ability to manipulate probability.[110]

Paraphernalia

Equipment

  • Black Cat's Costume: The costume she currently uses was designed by the Tinkerer, created using leather material, and is designed to increase many of her natural physical attributes far beyond normal human levels by means of micro servos embedded into it.[109]
    • Enhanced Strength: The Black Cat's costume increases her physical strength to levels beyond the natural limits of a woman of her weight and physical build. In fact, her strength is increased to the maximum of human potential, enabling her to Overhead press approximately 800 lbs with maximum effort.[109]
    • Superhuman Speed: The Black Cat's speed is similarly enhanced, though to levels that are slightly beyond the capabilities of the finest human athlete. Over short distances, she can sprint at a top speed of about 40 miles per hour.
    • Superhuman Agility: The costume she wears also possesses various implants. Without these implants, she has the agility of an Olympic level gymnast. However, the implants augment her natural agility to levels that are beyond the capability and physical limits of the finest human athlete.[109]
    • Retractable Claws: The gloves of the Black Cat's costume contain steel micro-filaments that form retractable claws at the tip of each finger when she flexes her fingers by triggering a magnetic surge which condenses the filaments into polarized talons. These claws are highly durable and razor sharp, allowing her to tear through most substances and to easily scale walls.[109]
  • Equilibrium Earrings: Felicia wears earrings obtained by the Tinkerer that interact with the balance centers of her brain to grant her enhanced agility and balance, increasing her natural bodily equilibrium and allowing her to accomplish feats beyond the capabilities of the finest human athlete.[109]
  • Electromagnetic Contact Lenses: Felicia wears contact lenses obtained by the Tinkerer that allows her to see in various ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as infrared and ultraviolet light. When wearing these contacts, Felicia's eyes appear to have blue irises as opposed to the green irises that Felicia naturally possesses.[109]

Transportation

Grappling Hook: The Black Cat has a miniature grappling hook device hidden in the "fur" of each glove, designed by her father Walter Hardy, which enables her to swing from buildings in a manner similar to Spider-Man and Daredevil despite lacking the associated speed of either. She can also use the cable from this device as a tightrope, wall scaling device, swing line, or as a weapon in combat.

Notes

Trivia

  • Felicia had been educated in a Catholic school.[5]
  • As of Black Cat #1, Felicia was in her mid-twenties.
  • Felicia tells people that she's allergic to mushrooms even though she is not because she thinks that mushrooms are gross, except truffles because she thinks they are classy. She think it's embarrassing to tell people that and she never told anyone that before.[111]
  • "Felicia" is the feminine form of the name "Felix". There is another famous black cat with that name.
  • Black Cat's ringtone was Temptation by New Order.[112]

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Black Cat Annual #1
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Women of Marvel: Celebrating Seven Decades Handbook #1
  3. 3.0 3.1 Claws #1
  4. Heroes for Hire (Vol. 2) #11
  5. 5.0 5.1 Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #10
  6. Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #2
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Black Cat #3
  8. Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: King's Ransom #1
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Black Cat #11
  10. Amazing Spider-Man #226
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Black Cat #2
  12. 12.0 12.1 Amazing Spider-Man #195
  13. Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #6
  14. Iron Cat #2
  15. 15.0 15.1 Amazing Spider-Man #194
  16. Amazing Spider-Man #204205
  17. Amazing Spider-Man #226227
  18. 18.0 18.1 Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #7379
  19. 19.0 19.1 Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #8687
  20. Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #75
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #8990
  22. Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #100
  23. Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #115117
  24. Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #123
  25. Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #128129
  26. 26.0 26.1 Amazing Spider-Man #316
  27. Amazing Spider-Man #329331
  28. Amazing Spider-Man #341343
  29. Amazing Spider-Man #370371
  30. Spectacular Spider-Man #204206
  31. 31.0 31.1 Felicia Hardy: The Black Cat #14
  32. Sensational Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #2734
  33. Amazing Spider-Man #545
  34. Amazing Spider-Man #641
  35. Heroes for Hire (Vol. 2) #115
  36. 36.0 36.1 Amazing Spider-Man #606
  37. 37.0 37.1 Web of Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #11
  38. Amazing Spider-Man #607
  39. Amazing Spider-Man #621
  40. Amazing Spider-Man #622
  41. Amazing Spider-Man Presents: Black Cat #14
  42. Web of Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #1112
  43. Amazing Spider-Man #677
  44. 44.0 44.1 Daredevil (Vol. 3) #8
  45. Silk (Vol. 2) #9
  46. 46.0 46.1 Superior Spider-Man #20
  47. 47.0 47.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #1
  48. 48.0 48.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #5
  49. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #3
  50. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #6
  51. Star-Lord (Vol. 2) #3
  52. Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #35
  53. Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #16
  54. Defenders (Vol. 5) #1
  55. Defenders (Vol. 5) #5
  56. Defenders (Vol. 5) #6
  57. Defenders (Vol. 5) #8
  58. Daredevil #600
  59. Daredevil #603
  60. Defenders (Vol. 5) #9
  61. Defenders (Vol. 5) #10
  62. Amazing Spider-Man: Venom Inc. Alpha #1
  63. Amazing Spider-Man #792
  64. 64.0 64.1 64.2 Amazing Spider-Man #793
  65. Venom #159
  66. Venom #160
  67. Amazing Spider-Man: Venom Inc. Omega #1
  68. 68.0 68.1 Venom Annual #1
  69. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #8
  70. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #9
  71. 71.0 71.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #10
  72. 72.0 72.1 72.2 72.3 72.4 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #16.HU
  73. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #17
  74. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #19
  75. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #20
  76. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #21
  77. 77.0 77.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #22
  78. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #23
  79. Black Cat #1
  80. Black Cat #4
  81. Black Cat #5
  82. Black Cat #6
  83. Black Cat #7
  84. Black Cat #8
  85. Black Cat #9
  86. Black Cat #10
  87. Black Cat #12
  88. 88.0 88.1 88.2 Black Cat (Vol. 2) #1
  89. Black Cat (Vol. 2) #2
  90. 90.0 90.1 90.2 90.3 Black Cat (Vol. 2) #3
  91. King in Black #45
  92. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #76
  93. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #78
  94. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #83
  95. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #87
  96. Mary Jane & Black Cat: Beyond #1
  97. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #89
  98. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 6) #4
  99. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 6) #5
  100. 100.0 100.1 100.2 100.3 100.4 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 6) #6
  101. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 6) #11
  102. Marvel Divas #3
  103. Symbiote Spider-Man #1
  104. Spectacular Spider-Man #201
  105. Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #115
  106. Web of Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #12
  107. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #17
  108. Amazing Spider-Man #257
  109. 109.0 109.1 109.2 109.3 109.4 109.5 109.6 109.7 109.8 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #1
  110. X-Factor #219
  111. Black Cat (Vol. 2) #10
  112. Iron Cat #1
  113. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #1
  114. Women of Marvel: Celebrating Seven Decades Handbook Vol 1 1
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