She is Auz’s link to dozens of powerful criminal (anti-government, thus, ironically, anti-crime) organizations around the world.
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Table of Contents:
- Spec’s
- Details/History
- 2nd Profile
- Powers and Abilities
- Former Powers
- Paraphernalia
- 2020 Update
- 2022 Update
- 2023
- Her (Images Begin)
- 2023 July Update: Sexy Mask She Likes Wearing for Our Fuck-dates
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Spec’s:
- 5’7″
- 120 lbs.
- platinum blonde (sometimes appearing white-haired)
- Caucasian
- perfect Elven-like feminine figure; slim-fit
- perky C-cup breasts
- wears skin-tight black outfits with a swoop-V collar, sometimes an eyes-mask (a mask that covers the area around her eyes)
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Details:
| Black Cat | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man#194 (July 1979) |
| Created by | Marv Wolfman Dave Cockrum |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Felicia Hardy |
| Place of origin | Flushing, New York |
| Team affiliations | Heroes for Hire Defenders[1] Black Cat’s Gang[2] |
| Partnerships | Spider-Man Venom |
| Notable aliases | Felicia Harmon, Felicity Harmon, Leesh, Party Hardy |
| Abilities |
|
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Black Cat (Felicia Hardy) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Throughout her history, Black Cat has sometimes been an enemy, love interest, and ally of the superhero Spider-Man. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Dave Cockrum, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man#194 (July 1979).
Felicia Hardy is the daughter of Walter Hardy, a world-renowned cat burglar. After suffering a traumatic experience as a college freshman, she trained herself in various fighting styles and acrobatics and, after deciding to follow in her father’s footsteps, adopted the costumed identity of the Black Cat.[3] As Black Cat, she has the subconscious ability to affect probability fields, producing “bad luck” for her enemies. The character was originally a supervillain and adversary of Spider-Man, but over time the two fell in love, which motivated her into becoming both an antiheroine, and his partner. However, their relationship grew complicated after it became apparent that Black Cat was only attracted to the alter ego of Spider-Man and had little interest in the hero’s civilian life as Peter Parker. After their break-up, Black Cat maintained her role as one of Spider-Man’s most trusted allies and for years the pair shared an on-again, off-again romance before she eventually lapsed back into her criminal ways (much to Spider-Man’s dismay and annoyance).
Being a part of his supporting cast and one of his principal love interests, Black Cat has been featured in many media adaptations related to Spider-Man.
Publication history
In 1979, creator Marv Wolfman was looking for a female foil for Spider-Woman. He decided to base a character on a Tex Avery cartoon, “Bad Luck Blackie“, in which a black cat brought misfortune to anyone in close proximity.[4] The Black Cat’s costume and appearance were designed by Dave Cockrum.[5]
When Wolfman changed writing assignments within Marvel Comics to The Amazing Spider-Man, he brought his character with him. He and Cockrum made considerable changes to the character and her appearance over this time; the Black Cat intended to debut in Spider-Woman had only her name and powers in common with the one who finally appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man.[6] On the bottom of the letters page of The Amazing Spider-Man #194, a thumbnail of the intended cover for Spider-Woman #9 appears along with a rejected cover for The Amazing Spider-Man #194. Wolfman said in an interview, “I didn’t plan Black Cat to be in Spidey. I created her for Spider-Woman (look at the letter column of the first B.C. story and you’ll see). I then decided to leave Spider-Woman and moved her over. So, I never even thought of Catwoman when I did her. I got the idea for her from a Tex Avery cartoon, Bad Luck Blackie.”[4]
Black Cat from the Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil that Men Do miniseries
Writer/director Kevin Smith began writing the Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil that Men Do miniseries in 2002. After the third issue the series went on a hiatus until 2005, when Smith revealed he had finally finished writing the scripts.[7] Smith has stated, “While I have zero defense for my lateness (particularly when folks like Bendis turn out great stories in multiple books on a monthly basis), I will say this: it’s a much better story now than it would’ve been had I completed it back in ’02.”
In the mid-2000s, she starred alongside Wolverine in a limited comic book miniseries titled Claws. A sequel to this miniseries, entitled Claws II, began publication in July 2011. Black Cat was a lead character in the 2006-2007 Heroes for Hire series.
Fictional character biography
The Amazing Spider-Man #194 (July 1979): The Black Cat’s debut. Cover art by Al Milgrom.
Felicia Hardy was born in Queens, New York. Her father Walter pretended to be a traveling salesman but was a world-renowned cat burglar who, before his arrest, encouraged her to never settle for second best. If she loved basketball, she should work to become a basketball player and not just a cheerleader.
In Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil that Men Do, Black Cat herself reveals that as a freshman at Empire State University, she was raped by her boyfriend Ryan. Hating the idea of being a victim, she trained herself in various fighting styles and acrobatics, intent on killing her rapist. Finally, after months of preparing, she set out for revenge, but before she could find him, Ryan was killed in a drunk driving accident. Furious that she was denied the chance for revenge, Hardy decided to utilize her new skills to follow in her father’s footsteps. After amassing a fortune in stolen items, Felicia adopted her costumed identity.
She first dons the Black Cat costume in order to break her father out of prison. On the same night, she meets Spider-Man. Her father dies, and she then fakes her own death.[8] Despite her antipathy towards men, Felicia feels a kinship with this lone hero; Spider-Man is the first man she felt she could trust and she grows to believe herself in love with him.[9] Felicia looks for a way to earn his trust and continues with the Black Cat persona as a misguided attempt to attract his affection. Seeing the good in Felicia, Spider-Man makes every attempt to have her criminal record expunged.
Felicia is placed in a mental institution but escapes. She joins forces with Spider-Man against the Maggia. She is granted conditional amnesty, and again convinces Spider-Man that she has died.[10]
The Black Cat finally finds the opportunity to prove herself after learning the Kingpin controls an incredibly powerful detonator. The Owl plans to use the weapon to hold New York City hostage. Meanwhile, Doctor Octopus plans to use the weapon to destroy the city altogether. However, the Black Cat uses her abilities to steal the item first and protect it from all parties. She gives the detonator to Spider-Man and becomes the target of Doctor Octopus’ revenge. Although Spider-Man tears off his mechanical appendages, Octopus is still able to mentally control them and hold the Black Cat still while his men open fire. Spider-Man barely gets her to the hospital in time and as they operate on the dozens of bullet and knife wounds, Peter realizes just how much he cares for Felicia.[11]
After she recovers, they begin a relationship and soon Peter reveals his identity to her. Felicia has difficulty accepting the fact that Peter is just a man beneath the mask and cannot understand his need for a civilian life. Peter is hurt, but continues the relationship since it was the first time he did not need to hide his life as Spider-Man from someone.
Initially, the “accidents” which seem to befall those who crossed the Black Cat’s path are merely well-planned stunts and traps. After her near-death experience,[12]Felicia fears her lack of superpowers make her a liability to Spider-Man. She is terrified that his overwhelming need to protect her will eventually get him killed, so Felicia seeks a way to make herself Spider-Man’s equal. Felicia is offered an opportunity to undergo the same process that was used to create the Scorpion and the Human Fly.[13] The Kingpin uses it on the Black Cat as payback for a theft she committed. Scared and ashamed of being empowered by the Kingpin of crime, she keeps her new abilities a secret from Peter. Her ‘bad luck’ power turns out to be infectious, and begins to jinx Spider-Man, which was exactly the Kingpin’s intent. Feeling a wall of secrets growing between them, Spider-Man breaks up with Felicia.[14] Felicia then begins a “Robin Hood crusade,” stealing from the rich to give to the poor.[15]
Peter soon realizes something is amiss with his own luck and enlists the aid of Doctor Strange to remove the “hex” on him. By doing so, he alters the hex’s source and changes the Black Cat’s powers in the process. She finds she has heightened strength, agility, balance, vision, and retractable claws. While burglarizing the mercenary known as the Foreigner, Black Cat is attacked by Sabretooth, the Foreigner’s hitman; Spider-Man saves her life.[16]
The Black Cat updates her look and her attitude and rekindles her relationship with Spider-Man. She makes peace with his need for a normal life as Peter Parker and stands by him while he is accused of murder as Spider-Man. Together, they track down the source of the elaborate scheme to frame him and fight the Foreigner.[17]Her apartment is fire-bombed by the Foreigner’s hitman Blaze, and she begins living with Peter Parker.[18] Peter later discovers their relationship is just a ruse against him, and that she had secretly been in a relationship with The Foreigner. However despite her anger during her ruse, Felicia begins to fall back onto her desire to love Peter. Spider-Man comes home to discover Black Cat discussing her plans to ruin his life by framing him for murder, during a telephone-conversation with The Foreigner. Before he can catch her, she escapes. Spider-Man tracks her down to the Foreigner’s apartment by attempting to trick Lt. Keating into revealing evidence as Peter Parker. Peter then intercepts a phone-call on Keating’s phone, which turns out to be Felicia, telling Keating to meet her. However this is a part of her plan, as she intentionally lured Spider-Man into finding her at the Foreigner’s apartment, causing a fight to ensue between The Foreigner and Spider-Man. Later she clears Spider-Man of his murder charge. In the end, the Black Cat double-crosses the Foreigner and Spider-Man, detailing her plan and her feelings towards Peter in a letter, also explaining that she has fled to Paris in order to start a new-life.[19] This pushes Peter to find support and a new relationship with Mary Jane Watson.[20]
Years later, the Black Cat returns to America, and goes “shopping” (actually shoplifting) with Dagger.[21] She returns to her original costume, seeks out Peter Parker, and in a chance confrontation with Venom learns that Peter had married Mary Jane Watson.[22] Angry and jealous, Felicia begins harassing the couple, taunting Peter as by dating his friend Flash Thompson.[23] She physically threatens Mary Jane, confronting her and swearing to ruin their marriage.[24] She saves a powerless Spider-Man from the Scorpion, but then all her powers are rendered inert by one of the Chameleon‘s devices. She realizes that she sincerely cares for Thompson,[25]but when she proposes marriage he refuses her, saying that he was only interested in her because she was the ex-girlfriend of his idol, Spider-Man, but is implied that Flash actually cared for her.[26] The Black Cat later makes up with both Spider-Man and Mary Jane, becoming close friends with them. After Spider-Man uses a device to remove his superhuman abilities, the Black Cat aids him in finding the device again in order to restore them. In the process, the Black Cat’s cat-like abilities are completely erased. She subsequently purchases equipment from the Tinkerer to incorporate into her costume in order to compensate for her lost abilities, and occasionally teams up with Spider-Man.
After Spider-Man unmasks himself, the Black Cat is enraged because she felt that they shared a bond over knowing his identity. Though she is dating Thomas Fireheart (a.k.a. Puma), her new sexual interest notes that Felicia may still have some romantic inclinations toward Peter.[27]
The Black Cat joins the new Heroes for Hire during the Civil War although Misty Knight believes that Felicia is just there for the money.[28]
Marvel Divas
Black Cat returns in the limited series, Marvel Divas (a parody of Sex and the City).[29] She is one of the main characters, alongside Firestar, Hellcat, and Photon. The writers are Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Tonci Zonjic.[29] Summoned by her friends to cope with Firestar’s breast cancer, Felicia is financially broken: unable to restart her investigation firm, she’s too proud to accept Puma’s monetary assistance, and her attempts to get a loan are met with open hostility from the banks of New York, often targets of her villainous activities as the Black Cat. Thus, feeling rejected and angry, Felicia begins to consider returning to villainy.[30]
Following Marvel Divas, Black Cat returns as a recurring character in The Amazing Spider-Man, following a storyline in #606-607 entitled “Back in Black Cat”.[31]Although she remembers her previous encounters with Spider-Man, the events of “One More Day” have erased her memory of his identity.[31] Also, she has regained her “bad luck” powers.[32]
Spider-Man ran into the Black Cat as she was breaking into the penthouse apartment of Dexter Bennett. Spider-Man caught up to her, reminding her that she was the one that dumped him. She and Puma had ended their relationship, so she and Spider-Man share a kiss,[32] and later they slept together with the lights off, so Felicia could not see Peter’s face.[33] Following this encounter Peter and Felicia begin a sexual relationship.[34] Peter later enlists the Black Cat’s help in getting back his vial of blood from Mister Negative.[35]
Following this, Black Cat received her own four issue mini-series, which was written by Jen Van Meter, drawn by Javier Pullido and covered by Amanda Conner. In the series, Felicia became caught up in the events of “The Gauntlet” and “Grim Hunt” storyline after her mother Lydia was kidnapped by the members of the Kravinoff family.[36] Felicia agreed to turn herself over to the Kravinoffs in exchange for her mother’s freedom, but instead sent a decoy while she tracked down her mother and attempted to free her herself. After removing the duct tape from her mother’s mouth, Felicia discovered that the Kravinoffs had strapped an explosive device to her wrists in order to kill both of them.[37] Felicia is ultimately able to rescue her mother and keep her safe from the clutches of the Kravinoff family.[38]
Mary Jane enlisted the Black Cat’s help after Spider-Man was captured by Doc Tramma, who turned out to be the one who restored Felicia’s bad luck powers. Together they managed to defeat Tramma and save Spider-Man, and agreed to become friends afterwards.[39] Black Cat is next seen in the “Big Time” storyline helping Spider-Man retrieve some experimental vibranium the new Hobgoblin stole for the Kingpin.[40]
Spider-Island
Black Cat appears in the story arc of the spider island, fighting against the half-spider creatures, when the Heroes for Hire are called in to help with the quarantine of Manhattan.[41]
Afterwards, Black Cat was blamed for the theft of a Holographic Projector from Horizon Labs. Since Spider-Man was with her at the time of the robbery he knew that she was innocent, and he recruited Matt Murdock (a.k.a. Daredevil) to help prove her innocence. It was later revealed that the criminal organization Black Spectre framed her to test her as part of their plot to recruit the Black Cat to their side and offer her a huge cash reward for retrieving a device that Matt Murdock has in his possession. Afterwards she goes to Matt’s apartment and they start a relationship which is part of her plan.[42][43] However she betrays Black Spectre and alerts Daredevil, leaving him a note saying the organization is monitoring his actions, before going into hiding.[44]
Marvel NOW!
As part of the Marvel NOW! event, Felicia was later contacted by her friend, Misty Knight, in order to help the Fearless Defenders fight the so-called Doom Maidens along with other heroines such as Storm, Tigra, Hellcat and Valkyrie.[45]
Superior Spider-Man (Doctor Octopus‘ mind in Peter Parker’s body) swings in his patrol heading for another date with his girlfriend Anna Maria Marconi only to bump into the Black Cat, who was committing a robbery. Felicia attempts to flirt, but suddenly Superior Spider-Man attacks her punching her straight into her face taking out a tooth in the process. Superior Spider-Man continues the assault reminiscing about how he once tried to kill her, but now he was just apprehending her as a criminal. This leaves Felicia totally shocked and angry while swearing revenge after Superior Spider-Man wraps her in webbing.[46]
Following the conclusion of The Superior Spider-Man storyline returning the true Spider-Man, Black Cat later escapes at the beginning of the new Amazing Spider-Man series when Electro stages a breakout at the prison where she was being held.[47] Determined to regain her standing by defeating Spider-Man, she attacks him while he is trying to evacuate a burning building, forcing Spider-Man to pretend to still be Doctor Octopus to drive her away as he cannot afford to lose time rescuing civilians. Felicia then makes contact with Electro, suggesting that they collaborate in seeking revenge on Spider-Man.[48] Black Cat is in Parker Industries, making a record of all the tech they are currently producing. However she does not understand them, and opts to ‘steal’ someone who does. Sajani has had enough of Peter’s constant disappearances and vows to make Peter see how he deals with everything without her help. Black Cat then pulls her away, commenting on her perfect timing.[49] Black Cat and Electro later raid Eel‘s hideout where she has Electro defeat him. Black Cat and Electro later show up at a meeting between Mister Negative and Phil Urich (who is now leading the remnants of the Goblin Underground as the self-proclaimed Goblin King) where they throw Eel’s body in between them. Black Cat states to Mister Negative and Phil Urich that she has heard about how they were outed by Spider-Man and wants in on their plan. During Peter’s interview on the Fact Channel, Electro attacks the security team on the channel and Black Cat arrives announcing her demand that if Spider-Man does not show up in fifteen minutes, Peter will be dead. Electro complains about the plan but Black Cat stays determined that Spider-Man will show up, but then Silk arrives to confront the both, giving Peter the time to change into Spider-Man and jump into action, naming Silk. As she battles against Electro and Spider-Man deals with Black Cat, J. Jonah Jameson remains on the channel forcing the cameraman to film the action. Spider-Man tries to convince Black Cat to stop even while she does not believe his story of being mind-swapped. Black Cat deviate one of Electro’s bolts hitting Spider-Man, knocking him down in the process. Black Cat attempts to unmask Spider-Man as Jameson aims the camera,[50] Jameson’s angle prevents anyone seeing Spider-Man’s face long enough for Silk to knock Black Cat back and Spider-Man to put his mask back on. Although Electro accepts being depowered when his uncontrollable abilities prove dangerous even to himself, Black Cat continues her vendetta against Spider-Man regardless of who is behind the mask. Following Electro’s de-powerment, the criminals at the Bar with No Name want Black Cat to lead them.[51]
The final issue of The Superior Foes of Spider-Man reveals that Boomerang‘s love interest was in fact Black Cat, who had disguised herself in order manipulate Boomerang and his Sinister Six into helping her acquire a priceless portrait of Doctor Doom without a mask.[52] The character next appears as the villain of Hawkeye vs. Deadpool, where she is revealed to have used an associate’s expertise in mind control to infiltrate New York’s law enforcement and judicial systems, and create an army of “drones” out of the patients and staff of Brooklyn Psychiatric. When a hacker who had acquired a list of all active S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, who Black Cat intends to brainwash as well, betrays her, Felicia hires Typhoid Mary to help her acquire the USB flash drive containing the list, opposed by Deadpool, Hawkeye, and Kate Bishop. When cornered by the trio and the authorities, Black Cat murders the mind control specialist, and escapes by switching places with her arresting officer, a sleeper agent.[53]
In the Slide-Away Casino, Melter and Killer Shrike take Ringer to the back room where Black Cat is waiting. Black Cat shows him various items and tells him that even she cannot steal everything and sometimes must pay for them and asks him how is she supposed to do that when nobodies like him do not pay her weekly cut. Ringer tells her he did not pay because he was captured by Silk, owed the Spot for getting him out of jail, and had to pay the Tinkerer for new equipment. He also tells Black Cat they worked in some works before and remembers her having a heart and asks for compassion. Black Cat hesitates long enough for the Ringer to attack them, hitting her in her arm before she takes him down. Black Cat tells Ringer that he will make three times the cut and will also serve as an example by having Killer Shrike and Melter beat him up. Black Cat is surprised Ringer could tag her as she normally is more lucky. She wonder if it was luck to remind her of who she is now and tests her luck with one of the casino’s machines and wins. Black Cat notices that lately the harder she listens to the part of her that tells her not to let anyone put her down, the more her luck gets off the charts. She remembers her life in the elite class before she lost it all. Melter and Killer Shriek bring in Ringer and Black Cat tells him to spread the word that no one steals from her.[54] Two years ago, Felicia Hardy presents a painting in an elite party. In the present day at a museum, Regina Venderkamp, the woman who bought all the items confiscated from the Black Cat in an auction, presents the same painting that Felicia did. However, the lights go out for a moment and the painting is gone. An enraged Regina and her bodyguards go to her apartment only to find all of her treasures gone. She goes upstairs to see if she also took everything there, despite a bodyguard protesting since Black Cat could still be there. Black Cat then appears and says she couldn’t leave without Regina learning that no one takes from Black Cat without paying. Regina orders her bodyguards to attack, but Black Cat quickly takes them out. She reflects that her bad luck powers seem to work better when she is ruthless and she may have been holding back before. Black Cat throws one of her claws to Regina’s neck causing her to pass out. Hours later, Regina wakes up handcuffed to a chair at Black Cat’s hideout. Black Cat contemplates almost all of the items that were confiscated and those she retrieved with only one missing. In J. Jonah Jameson Sr. and Aunt May’s apartment, they contemplate the last item the only thing they got at the auction and go watch TV unaware that the Black Cat plans to steal it back.[55] Following Spider-Man’s fight with Ghost at Parker Industries, Black Cat places the statue with the rest of her things while having Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson Sr., and Regina Venderkamp tied up. Jay asks her why did she took them as she doesn’t need money and they didn’t do nothing to her. Felicia pours gasoline around her apartment and tells Jay he is wrong as they bought her things in the auction, a collection she spent years acquiring. She tells him that’s the problem with possessions, they can break, you can lose them or they can be taken. And when that happens, everyone thinks they can take what’s yours unless you prove them wrong. She says that nothing and no one will have that hold on him before setting the apartment on fire. When Spider-Man arrives, May warns him that the Black Cat is still in there and Peter asks Felicia for help. She tells him to save them if he wants as she made her point and the more people know the better. Parker tries to convince her that this isn’t her but she tells him that the Felicia he knew is gone and she is done being who others want. She tells her that she controls her fate and anyone who stands before that will also be gone. Spider-Man manages to save Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson Sr., and Regina, who screams at him for not saving her things before May shushes her, telling her that people are what count, not things and Spider-Man knows that. In the Slide-A-Way Casino, Black Cat tells her men that they have seen what happens when they stay on her good side and what happens when they cross her. But from now on, there’s nothing holding her back and no limit to what she will do.[56]
All-New All-Different Marvel
As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Black Cat took in Silk as the latest member of her gang. Unbeknownst to Black Cat, Silk is secretly doing working undercover for S.H.I.E.L.D.[57]
Black Cat established a criminal empire which is disbanded by Gwenpool and Howard the Duck.[58]
Black Cat formed an alliance with Hammerhead, his nephew, and his henchmen.[59]
During the Civil War II storyline, Black Cat took in Kingpin’s former minion Janus Jardeesh as the latest member of her gang. She was later informed about Janus undergoing Terrigenesis and arrived at the scene. During one of the heists by Black Cat’s gang, Black Cat encountered the Avengers. She, Fancy Dan, and Janus Jardeesh evaded capture. Afterwards, Black Cat decided to lay low for a while.[60]
Black Cat gained Scorpion as a part-time enforcer for her gang. She hired ex-Army Ranger Lee Price to accompany Scorpion to the black market sale where there was shootout with Tombstone’s gang.[61] When at Black Cat’s hideout, Scorpion accuses Lee Price of botching up the black market sale which Lee Price denied leading Black Cat to demand an explanation after hearing about some information from her spies at the New York City Police Department telling her what they know.[62]
During the Venom Inc. storyline, after Lee Price steals the spawn of the Venom symbiote from Flash Thompson’s protégé Andi Benton aka Mania and uses it to become Maniac,[63] with his newfound ability to reproduce the symbiote and gain control of people, Price was able to gain control of Black Cat and her gang.[64] With the aid of Flash’s new powers as Anti-Venom, Black Cat was freed.[65] Later working with Venom, Black Cat was able to use the artificial Anti-Venom element they got from Dr. Steven to free Spider-Man from Price’s control.[66] During the final battle, Black Cat discovers that those already cured cannot be taken over by Price’s symbiote again, allowing Spider-Man to use his cured bloodstream and mix it with Anti-Venom to defeat Price. Afterwards she and Spider-Man make peace, and later Eddie Brock convinces Black Cat to give up being a crime boss and go back to being a vigilante.[67]
Fresh Start
During Marvel’s “Fresh Start,” Black Cat teamed up with Spider-Man to confront the Thieves Guild, a group of robbers established hundreds of years ago that was trying to make their name known again by stealing the equipment of various super heroes. As an honorary member of the Guild, she was able to allow the two to break in and fight off Guild members until the rest of the heroes showed up to reclaim their items. Later that night, Felicia tells Spider-Man that her darker mentality didn’t start when Doctor Octopus arrested her, but instead when she forgot Spider-Man’s secret identity as a result of Doctor Strange making everyone forget it after Civil War, feeling that she lost a significant part of her life in the process. In response, Peter takes off his mask and reveals his secret to Felicia, which she gladly accepts.[68]
Powers and abilities
Initially, the Black Cat had no superhuman abilities. Later, a test induced by the Kingpin gave her the psionic ability to affect probability fields; essentially, she could produce “bad luck” for her enemies.[69] The “bad luck” power entails that under stress she is subconsciously able to cause anyone in her immediate vicinity that she perceives as a threat to be susceptible to freak accidents, like guns jamming and exploding, or tripping on objects. This ability also had the side effect of eventually causing problems for anyone spending long periods of time around her.
Doctor Strange eventually tampered with her powers that briefly removed her bad luck abilities, along with the unwanted side effect. However, this magical tampering temporarily endowed her with cat-like abilities, giving her night vision, retractable talons in her fingertips, superhuman speed, strength, agility and endurance, proportionate to a cat.[70] Her “bad luck” powers were eventually restored by Doc Tramma through the use of cybernetics.[71]
The Black Cat has reflexes, agility, and stamina of an Olympic level acrobat. She is physically very strong and athletic and has great physical endurance. She is an excellent street fighter capable of taking on several armed assailants and incapacitating them without being injured herself. She is trained in several martial arts styles, including Judo and Goju Ryu Karate. Hardy is a talented photographer; while dating Spider-Man she takes pictures of the hero that he admits are better than his own work.
The Black Cat has also acquired several devices from the Tinkerer that increase her agility and heighten her strength. She wears earrings that interact with the balance centers of her brain to grant her enhanced agility. She has contact lenses that let her see in various ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as infrared and ultraviolet. Her costume contains micro-servos that enhance her strength above normal human levels. The gloves of her costume contain steel micro-filaments, which form retractable claws at the fingertips when she flexes her fingers (triggering a magnetic surge which condenses the filaments into polarized talons) which enable her to tear through most surfaces and easily scale walls. Using this equipment, the Black Cat has been able to beat enemies who have superhuman abilities.
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, though not quite as fast. She can also use the cable from this device as a tightrope, wall scaling device, swing line, or as a weapon in combat.
Details here.
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Black Cat
Real Name
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History
I’m not a hero. I’m a thief. Born a thief. Raised a thief. Will die a thief. 
- — Black Cat src
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. If she loved basketball, she should work to become a basketball player and not just a cheerleader.[3]
Empire State University
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.[3]
Black Cat
Finally, after months of preparing, she set out for revenge, but before she could find him, Ryan was killed in a drunk driving accident. 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 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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]
Never let the Black Cat cross your path!
Relationship With Spider-Man
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.[7]
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.[8]
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,[9] 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.[10]
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”.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14]
Black Cat and lover, Spider-Man.
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.[15] Angry and jealous, Felicia began harassing the couple, physically threatening Mary Jane and taunting Peter as she dated his friend Flash Thompson.[16]. 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.[17] 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.[18]
New Life
She began to sincerely care for Thompson, but he eventually broke up with her when he found out her secret,[19] and she went on to open her own private detective and security consultants’ firm.[20]
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.[21]
After Spider-Man unmasked himself, the Black Cat was enraged because she had felt that they shared a bond over knowing his identity, which she described as “sexy”. Though she was dating Puma, her new sexual interest noted that Felicia may still have some romantic inclinations toward Peter.[22]
Civil War
During the Civil War resulting from the Superhuman Registration Act, Black Cat accepted an offer from Misty Knight and Colleen Wing in the new Heroes for Hire, purely for the money. Felicia, along with her teammates, were assigned to apprehend any unregistered hero.[23]
Back in Black Cat
Black Cat returned to Spider-Man’s life when Black Cat was breaking into Dexter Bennett‘s apartment to steal a folder. They found the body of a dead man behind a painting of Bennett, which came as a surprise to Felicia. She started to leave with the book that she came looking for, but the body was booby trapped. Black Cat and Spider-Man survived the steel spikes that exploded from the body, only to face the man behind the trap: Diablo. After a fight with Diablo, Spidey and Black Cat slept together with all the lights off, so Felicia couldn’t see Peter’s face. Black Cat remembered Spidey unmasking, but she just couldn’t remember who was under the mask. Spidey and Cat eventually found Diablo’s hideout, but he eventually escaped.[24]
She’s Back!
Spider-Man and Cat escaped, but Felicia gave Spidey the cold shoulder. He caught up to her, reminding her that she was the one that dumped him. She may have forgotten his identity but not the fun, the thrills, and the heartache. She and Fireheart had ended their relationship, as Fireheart had some sort of “control issues,” so Felicia and Peter had no qualms about a quick smooch on a rooftop. Unfortunately, a camera man was taping the kiss and broadcasting it live to the Times Square mega TV for Mary Jane to see.[25]
Peter and Felicia rekindled their old relationship, with no strings attached and masks kept on at all times. 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 and promptly sold it to a group of vampire wannabes, leading Spidey to Morbius.
Grim Hunt
Cat 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.[20]
The Ex-Terminators
They temporarily parted ways when Peter began dating Carlie Cooper. However, when Spider-Man was captured by Mister Negative’s scientist, Doc Tramma, Mary Jane was able to contact the Cat to help her save him. In the process it was revealed that Doc Tramma was the one who restored her bad luck powers. Together they rescued Spider-Man and defeated Tramma. The next day Felicia invites Mary Jane out to lunch and the two of them became fast friends, much to Spider-Man’s dismay.[26]
Big Time
Spidey and Cat worked together again as they both broke into the Kingpin’s headquarters to steal back a substance called reverbium. The material had been pilfered by the Hobgoblin (Phil Urich), who accidentally destroyed the skyscraper they were in by using his sonic laugh. The sonics were amplified by the reverbium, which caused the building to collapse. Kingpin, Hobgoblin, Spidey and Black Cat escaped. Montana was not so lucky.[27]
Daredevil
Someone stole a Wi-Fi hologram projector created by a scientist named Wasserschmidt at Horizon Labs and Felicia is accused and imprisoned, but at that moment she was with Spider-Man. Escaping from custody, Black Cat tries to find who framed her, encountering both Daredevil and Spider-Man. The trio goes to Wasserschmidt apartment to find any clue, when they find Wasserschmidt himself in a secret room, according to him, 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.[28]
Daredevil stops them while Black Cat finds herself with the mastermind of this plan, who wants Felicia to get him a Omegadrive, a piece of technology with data about every criminal organization, which is presently in the hands of Matt Murdock, Daredevil himself. Using Daredevil to be near him, Felicia is later thought to have successfully stolen the Omegadrive while Daredevil was fighting the Mole Man, but in reality she leaves him a note confirming that Black Spectre is after him and that she will be going into hiding until the matter is resolved.[29]
Black Cat and her gang!
Downfall and Rise to Crime Boss
Eventually, Felicia grew tired of her superhero and criminal activities and started to save money to retire.[30] As Otto Octavius, in the guise of Spider-Man, was about to head for a date with Anna Maria Marconi, he bumped into Felicia, who was in the act of a robbery. Felicia tried to flirt with him, not realizing who he really was, and got a tooth punched out for her trouble, leaving Felicia totally shocked and angry, swearing revenge after Otto wrapped her in webbing.[31] Felicia was soon found by the police and sent to the Conway Penitentiary. Humiliated, 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.[32]
Having become heartless and revengeful, Felicia set out to become a crime boss rather than a simple cat burglar.[33] She formed an alliance with Electro, another villain who suffered by Spider-Man’s hand when Octavius was possessing his body,[34] and used him as an enforcer 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;[33] 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.[35]
Kingpin War
Now established as a major player in the underworld, Felicia bought the Bar with No Name[36] and, later, allied herself with Hammerhead to take down the new Spider-Man,[37] which marked the beginning of a formal partnership, as Hammerhead eventually became Black Cat’s muscle and second in command.[38] Felicia’s position was soon contested by up-and-comer Diamondback, who initially tried to make business with Felicia,[39]but later fatally injured her after she refused.[40] Felicia was saved by the Defenders and treated in a hospital,[41]from which she fled after waking up.[42]
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 crimelords. [43]. 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.[44] 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.[45] 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.”[46]
Venom Inc.
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.[47] 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.[48] 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.[49]
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.[50] 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,[49] 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.[51] 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.[52] 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.[53]
Fresh Start
During Marvel’s “Fresh Start,” Black Cat teamed up with Spider-Man to confront the Thieves Guild, a group of robbers established hundreds of years ago that was trying to make their name known again by stealing the equipment of various super heroes. As an honorary member of the Guild, she was able to allow the two to break in and fight off Guild members until the rest of the heroes showed up to reclaim their items. Later that night, Felicia tells Spider-Man that her dark place didn’t start when Doctor Octopus arrested her, but instead when she forgot Spider-Man’s secret identity as a result of Doctor Strange making everyone forget it after Civil War, feeling that she lost a significant part of her life in the process. In response, Peter takes off his mask and reveals his secret to Felicia. She tears and shares a hug with Peter.[54]
Powers and Abilities
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Powers
Tychokinesis: The Black Cat is imbued with a genuine ability to cause “bad luck” by scientists working for the Kingpin through a bargain made with him. This power allowed 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. Those powers were removed from her for a while by Dr. Strange so they won’t hurt those she loves, but they were restored by Mister Negative‘s scientist, Doc Tramma, which gave her more control over them than ever. Later on, as the Black Cat grew ruthless, her “bad luck” powers became more effective.[55]
Abilities
Expert Thief: Felicia is a skilled (somewhat reformed) thief skilled in stealth, picking locks, escapology, evading alarms and cracking safes.[56]
Olympic Level Athlete: She has reflexes, agility, and stamina of an Olympic level acrobat. She is physically very strong and athletic and has great physical endurance.[56]
Olympic Acrobat: Felicia is particularly a skilled acrobat capable of many exceptional feats.[56]
Skilled Martial Artist: She has been trained in several martial arts; most notably Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate and Judo which she specializes in.[56] 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.
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.[56]
- Peak Human 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 lift approximately 800 lbs. with maximum effort.[56]
- 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.[56]
- 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.[56]
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.[56]
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.[56]
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.
Details here.
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2020 Update:
Auz calls her “B.C.” (for Black Cat), Leesh, and Licia (sounds like “Lee-she-ah”). The two arranged a meeting when he spotted her bio-signature moving so gracefully (using her acrobatic and martial-arts skills on another heist/mission), then compelled to introduce himself and propose further interaction. She had been wisely cautious at first, even wanting to bring Spiderman along for added protection, but you know the rest; Auz’s superpowers charmed her into opening up to him, if ever so slowly –just like most cats do.
Today, she trains in his private gym, as well as the other gyms of his realm, not to mention the training tower he designed way back in 2008. Lara Croft and her daughter sometimes train with her in those places, as does Max Guevara. Max may start going on heists and other fun outings with her.
Her place in Inisfree is in the Waterfall-slant neighborhood, as it affords her a lovely view of the outside of downtown Inisfree, its encircling perimeter-wall only allowing the tops of its tallest skyscrapers to be seen, which both reminds her of NYC and makes her feel more in control, no longer having to live and work all the time amidst its dangerously-towering constructs. In her slowly-rotating spherical estate in that neighborhood, she relaxes amidst a growing collection of “acquired items” in her trophy-room. When Auz visits her there, always by her invitation, she shows one or two of the newer ones off to him, telling him the story behind it/them… while, of course, sexily riding him.
Though Auz will never pry (or even ask), this woman will eventually feel it is time to share with him some of the information she’s learned during her extensive operations with many criminal organizations. She has learned that Auz will understand it as freedom-based and vigilante work, respecting and admiring it, and that his own empire and city were once illegal, just as was the start of what became the United States. This makes her feel even safer about living her quiet-life in Inisfree.
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2022 Update:
It’s her third year in Inisfree, and this is going to be the big one; she is marrying Auz this Summer. The ceremony is going be a very unique and interesting one; it will be in his biggest gym, the one in his private home high on the slope of Inisfree’s miles-tall central mountain. That isn’t the best part, though; she and some of their guests of honor will reach the altar set up in there by moving skillfully along the wall-mounted parkour-bars, showing off their gymnast and acrobatic moves, their dresses designed to facilitate this.
Now just imagine the kind of honeymoon activities such fit people will do.
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2023:
She and I (Auz) love going on fuck-dates to club Ninja Princess.
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Her:
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2023 July Update: Sexy Mask She Likes Wearing for Our Fuck-dates:
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