New Avengers: Doomsday merchandise has sparked a fresh debate among Marvel fans about the timeline of Yelena Belova’s superhero identity. A first look at the upcoming Bitty Pops line, shared on social media on September 15, 2026, showed Florence Pugh’s character labeled simply as “Yelena” rather than her superhero name, Black Widow. The detail appears to contradict a key moment from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, where the character was officially referred to by the Black Widow title.
What the Doomsday Bitty Pops Revealed
The Bitty Pops lineup for Avengers: Doomsday included a wide range of characters from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Figures for Black Panther, Cyclops, Mister Fantastic, Professor X, Captain America, Johnny Storm, Gambit, Doctor Doom, Thor, Nightcrawler, and Magneto were all part of the reveal. Most of these figures were labeled with their superhero codenames on the packaging.
The Yelena Belova figure stood out because it used her real name instead of her superhero identity. This was particularly noticeable because other characters like Cyclops and Professor X were listed by their codenames. The inconsistency raised immediate questions among fans who had followed Yelena’s journey through the MCU.
Why the Yelena Label Matters
In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which was released in theaters in July 2026, there is a scene where Ned Leeds (played by Jacob Batalon) excitedly refers to Yelena as “Black Widow” after Spider-Man finishes a call with her. Ned is established as a major superhero enthusiast in the MCU, making his use of the title a significant confirmation of Yelena’s new identity.
The Black Widow mantle previously belonged to Natasha Romanoff (played by Scarlett Johansson), who sacrificed herself for the Soul Stone in Avengers: Endgame. Yelena’s journey to adopting the title has been gradual. She first appeared in the 2021 film Black Widow and later led the Thunderbolts team in Thunderbolts*, which was released in 2025. By the end of that film, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine introduced the team as the New Avengers.
The Black Widow Mantle in the MCU
The Black Widow title has a complex history within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The mantle is tied to the Red Room, a brutal training program that subjected young women to torture and abuse. This dark legacy explains why Yelena may not have immediately embraced the title after her sister’s death.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day did significant work in officially passing the mantle to Yelena. The film’s confirmation through Ned’s dialogue marked the end of an eight-year wait for the MCU to formally acknowledge a new Black Widow. The movie’s handling of this transition was noted for feeling like a natural part of the story rather than forced fan service.
Fan Reactions and Theories
Marvel fans took to social media to discuss the apparent inconsistency. The Bitty Pops reveal was shared by the Marvel Updates account on X, and the response was immediate. Some fans questioned whether the labeling was an oversight by the merchandise team or a deliberate choice by Marvel Studios.
One theory suggests that Marvel may be keeping Yelena’s identity ambiguous in Doomsday merchandise to avoid revealing her role in the film. In the comics, Yelena eventually moves away from the Black Widow name and takes on the White Widow identity. This could mean that her appearance in Doomsday will show her in a different phase of her superhero career.
Another point of discussion was the labeling of Johnny Storm, who was also identified by his real name rather than his Human Torch codename. However, fans noted that Johnny’s situation is different because he is part of the Fantastic Four rather than the Avengers, and there is no question about his superhero identity.
The absence of certain characters from the Bitty Pops lineup also sparked conversation. Loki, Mystique, Ghost, and Sue Storm were notably missing from the reveal. Fans commented on the omission, with one user writing, “Loki, where are you,” and another asking, “Where is my Loki?”.
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Release Dates and What Comes Next
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026. The film is directed by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo and features Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Doctor Doom. The ensemble cast includes Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Vanessa Kirby, and Channing Tatum, among others.
The movie’s collectible merchandise, including the Bitty Pops, is expected to be available for purchase ahead of the film’s release. Marvel has not yet commented on the labeling discrepancy, and it remains unclear whether the “Yelena” designation on the packaging is a deliberate creative choice or a simple oversight.
Avengers: Secret Wars, the sequel to Doomsday, is set to follow on December 17, 2027. The plot details for both films remain tightly under wraps, though the Bitty Pops lineup suggests a multiversal collision involving the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Avengers teaming up to fight Doctor Doom.
For now, the Yelena Belova Black Widow question remains one of the many mysteries surrounding Marvel’s upcoming slate. Whether the merchandise labeling is a clue about her future or simply a packaging decision, fans will have to wait until December 18 to see how Yelena’s story continues in Avengers: Doomsday.
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