Iron Maiden (Marvel Comics)

Iron Maiden (born as Melina Vostokova; Melina Von Vostokoff; Мелина Востокова) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Ralph Macchio and George Pérez, the character first appeared in Marvel Fanfare #11 (November 1983). The character is Russian and is depicted most notably as an enemy of Black Widow.

The character made her live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Widow, portrayed by Rachel Weisz.

Publication history
Iron Maiden first appeared in Marvel Fanfare #11 (November 1983), created by Ralph Macchio and George Pérez.

Fictional character biography
Melina Vostokova was an agent recruited by the Government of the Russian Federation. Feeling she was living in the shadow of Natalia Romanova / Black Widow, Iron Maiden started to develop a deep hatred for her. Eventually, she stopped working for the Russian government to become a freelance agent and assassin.

Iron Maiden was among the assassins hired to kill Black Widow. While she fought Natalia Romanova, the battle was interrupted by Jimmy Woo and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who arrived. Eventually, Iron Maiden managed to escape from Black Widow and Jimmy Woo.

She then joined the Femizons, a team of superhuman female criminals led by Superia, whose purpose was to gain power and sterilize the planet in order to create a new world where women would rule. Iron Maiden served as one of Superia's lieutenants.

Iron Maiden was eventually apprehended and coerced into joining the Thunderbolts during the Civil War series.

Iron Maiden later joined the group of Soviet Revolutionaries known as Remont Six to lead an attack against an A.I.M. installation located outside of the Forbidden Zone in Russia. This team overpowered both Red Guardian and Crimson Dynamo but Ursa Major overpowered most of the group out.

Powers and abilities
Iron Maiden is a master martial artist, assassin, and spy, with knowledge in horticulture. She is also a weapon expert. She wears a lightweight but strong metal suit that protects her from impacts, bullets and energy weapons. It appears to function as a form of silver exoskeleton, enhancing her strength and durability to an unknown degree.

Critical reception
Screen Rant included Iron Maiden in their "10 Comic Book Thunderbolts That Should Join The MCU Team" list, and ranked her 2nd in their "Black Widow's 10 Biggest Enemies" list, and 5th in their "Red Room's Most Powerful Members" list.

Earth X
In the Earth X trilogy, a version of Iron Maiden plays a major role as a different character from the original Earth-616 version. Iron Maiden is a scientist who works on a project initiated by Reed Richards, which is meant to power the world using vibranium, in order to create an efficient energy source which would have no limit. During her exposition to vibranium, she becomes a human mutate and gains the ability to have full control over vibranium. Using her powers, Iron Maiden was able to create a vibranium amor all over her body, generate firing weapons, demonstrated energy projection, and had the power of flight, although the extent and limits of her powers remain unknown. She was forced to become a servant of the Red Skull until his death.

Mangaverse
In the Marvel Mangaverse reality, a version of Iron Maiden features under the name of Antoinette "Toni" Stark. The character is depicted as the twin sister of Tony Stark, a former agent of SHIELD who took over Stark Industries after her sibling mysteriously disappeared. The character later dies during a battle with the Hulk.

Exiles
In the New Exiles series, an unidentified female uses the Iron Maiden alias while using her own battlesuit and is a member of "Bloodforce" alongside Blackdog, Bloodwitch, Rough Justice, and Sandstorm.

Ultimate Marvel
The Ultimate Marvel equivalent of Iron Maiden was an alternative codename for Natalia Romanova / Black Widow while sporting her own black suit of armor also dubbed Cybernatrix.

In other media
Melina Vostokoff appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Rachel Weisz.
 * First appearing in the live-action film Black Widow (2021), this version is a seasoned spy, Black Widow, and lead scientist for the Red Room who developed a means of controlling their Widows and serves as a mother figure to Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova, and a significant other to Alexei Shostakov. After reuniting with the trio, Vostokoff joins them in dismantling the Red Room.
 * An alternate timeline variant of Vostokoff appears in the Disney+ animated series What If...? episode "What If... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?". This version became the head of the Red Room who brainwashed Steve Rogers before she is later killed by Romanoff.
 * Vostokoff will appear in the live-action film Thunderbolts* (2025).