Warning: Spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man #11Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Universe has introduced a new version of Black Cat, transforming the iconic anti-hero into a true villain. This massive change to the character completely distinguises this Felicia Hardy from her mainstream counterpart. Additionally, this new version of Black Cat differs greatly from her depiction in the original Ultimate Universe, now turning her into the ally of her original foe.

Ultimate Spider-Man #11 by Jonathan Hickman, David Messina, Matt Wilson, and Cory Petit shows the Sinister Six meeting to discuss their plans to take down both Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. A wheelchair bound Walter Hardy, after his previous fight with the pair, announces that his daughter Felicia will be standing in for him as the Black Cat.

This announcement firmly places Felicia into the Sinister Six as a member, cementing her role as not only a villain in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man but also turning her into one of the Kingpin’s enforcers to maintain his control over New York.

Marvel Debuts an Ultimate Black Cat with a New Allegiance

Ultimate Spider-Man #11 Cover by Marco Checchetto and Matt Wilson

This massive departure for Black Cat’s character changes her from someone who has largely been written as an anti-hero and turns her into an agent of the Sinister Six. While her mainstream counterpart has had some villainous stints in the past, they’ve never been to this extent. The change in backstory, additionally, gives Felicia a much different dynamic with her father, Walter, as now Walter is able to mentor her and guide her as Black Cat, something his mainstream counterpart could never do.

The biggest departure, however, will be Felicia’s dynamic with Spider-Man.

The biggest departure, however, will be Felicia’s dynamic with Spider-Man. Black Cat’s typical status as an anti-hero in the mainstream Marvel Universe gives her and Spider-Man common ground, with Peter often able to appeal to Felicia’s better nature. But since Felicia is a member of the Sinister Six, it’s possible that such tactics may not work, forcing the two into a more outwardly adversarial dynamic. Additionally, Peter’s continued friendship with Harry, the man responsible for putting Walter in a wheelchair, will complicate any potential alliance between Peter and Felicia.

Marvel Comics Reinvents Black Cat for the Ultimate Universe - For the Second Time

The Original Ultimate Universe Had Its Own Take on the Iconic Thief

While a major shift for the character, this story isn’t the first time that the Ultimate Universe has reinvented Black Cat. The original Ultimate Universe, specifically Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, had its own take on Black Cat. In that universe, she was motivated to take revenge on Kingpin after her father died in prison, blaming him for his death. Her crimes only targeted Kingpin, and she often found herself switching sides for the sole purpose of acting against him.

Ultimate Marvel’s new Black Cat promises a different take on the character, reimagining her as both a villain and a member of the Sinister Six. But her future is still unwritten, as there is still the chance of her leaving the Sinister Six and siding against them, evolving into an anti-hero like her mainstream counterpart. But with Harry being responsible for her father's injuries, as well as Spider-Man still working with the Green Goblin, it seems that Black Cat will be a foe before she becomes a friend.

Ultimate Spider-Man #11 is available now from Marvel Comics.