Margaret Stohl discusses breaking new ground and staying true to her heroes in Marvel’s first Young Adult novel, Black Widow: Forever Red.

About ‘Black Widow: Forever Red’

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world’s most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow’s infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments-until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn’t really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned-and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava’s dreams.

Black Widow: Forever Red hit the New York Times Bestseller list this week, proving that fans of Marvel’s amazing female characters will both demand and reward the representation they deserve.

Interview with Margaret Stohl

Original novels are new territory for Marvel. What was it like to be at the forefront of this awesome development?

It was such an honor! I worked really closely with Disney’s Associate Publisher, Emily Meehan, and Marvel’s Director of Character Development, Sana Amanat. As a result, we were able to evolve the definitive canon backstory for the Black Widow, and a new legacy character in the Red Widow.

Why do you think novels work well for exploring comic book heroes?

It’s amazing to get inside a hero’s head, which a novel allows so much more than a comic book.

What was the most exciting part of writing Black Widow: Forever Red? What was the most challenging part?

Writing from Natasha Romanoff’s point of view was both – super challenging and crazy rewarding.

Natasha is a hugely popular character among fans. Were you nervous at all to take on her story?

Oh no, not at all… are you kidding? The idea that I could disappoint the Marvel fandom kept me up at night. I wrote a seventy-page treatment and ditched it and started over. I probably read a hundred spy novels. I consulted with Russian professors and Ukranian nationals. I’ve never worked so hard in my life, out of fear of disappointing Natasha’s fans.

Did you have any revelations about Natasha as you wrote Black Widow: Forever Red?

Yes. We should all stop talking about who Natasha Romanoff is dating and start talking about the nature of her heart. Her heart is complicated territory, but in the end, she is as full of emotion and loyalty and love and compassion as the rest of us.

How did you go about creating Ava? Did anything surprise you as your wrote her story?

Ava evolved into the Red Widow, a hero in her own standing. She came to be as the ultimate teen counterbalance for the Black Widow, and I was amazed to see how much she dug in as her own character aside from just playing a role in the Black Widow’s world.

What is it like to see Ava portrayed in Marvel comics?

So fabulous. A dream come true. When I heard it was going to happen, I completely freaked out. I loved being able to get the visual out there for my readers.

If you could novelize any other superhero, which one would it be?

Honestly, I think of it more in terms of what I’d want to READ before anything else. More Black Widow, which I’m lucky to get to do myself. More Red Widow. I’m excited to read Captain Marvel, which Shannon Hale is doing, and I’d love to see Ms. Marvel as a book. I like the jokers too – writing Tony Stark is a fantasy of mine, I write bad Tony Stark jokes in my sleep!

For more information…

Margaret Stohl is the co-author of the Icons series, and co-author of Beautiful Creatures with Kami Garcia. Margaret lives in California with her husband and daughters, who are all badasses and proud fans of Natasha Romanoff. Learn more about Margaret at MStohl.com, and follow her on Twitter for the latest updates on her life, her writing, and all things geeky.

Black Widow: Forever Red is available now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and your local independent bookstore.