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| Black Cat |
| Real Name: Felicia Hardy Powers: Due to genetic manipulation, the Black Cat once possessed the proportionate strength, agility, endurance and sensory acuity of a cat, as well as the ability to transform her hands and feet into powerful claws. Also, she could psionically alter probability fields, bringing bad luck to those around her. Robbed of her powers, the Black Cat now must rely solely on her athletic acumen and fighting skills. History: Learning her father had been an infamous cat burglar, Felicia Hardy resolved to follow in his footsteps. She undertook a rigorous physical-training regimen that increased her strength, endurance and agility; mastered such skills as lockpicking and safecracking; and studied the martial arts. Donning a costume to conceal her identity, she set out to steal her fortune as the Black Cat. In keeping with her chosen nom du crime, the Black Cat attempted to create the impression in her adversaries' minds that she possessed the innate ability to bring them bad luck. Before making her presence known, she would prepare the scene of the crime so accidents would appear to befall her pursuers. Relying on parlor tricks and sleight of hand, she was able to convince her principal opponent -- the wisecracking, wall-crawling super hero known as Spider-Man -- that she could indeed affect probability fields. Eventually apprehended, the Black Cat feigned insanity. Some time later, she escaped imprisonment. Attracted to Spider-Man, she joined the web-slinger in his war on crime -- thereby winning amnesty from the authorities. Spider-Man reciprocated her love, going so far as to reveal his secret identity. But when he discovered she lacked superhuman powers, he began to fear for her safety. The Black Cat then was injured by the tentacled terror known as Dr. Octopus, leading Spider-Man to terminate their partnership. Distraught, the Black Cat became determined to gain superhuman powers -- by any means necessary. Opportunity presented itself in the form of the Kingpin, the most powerful figure in East Coast organized crime. Seeking vengeance on Hardy for stealing a nuclear detonator that later fell into the multiple hands of Doc Ock, the Kingpin offered to grant her extra-normal abilities in exchange for her services. The Black Cat suspected her unknown benefactor to be a criminal, but accepted his proposition anyway -- reasoning that she could turn him over to the authorities after fulfilling her debt. However, the power had existed within Hardy all along: The Kingpin's scientists merely discovered and activated latent genetic abilities. She now possessed the extraordinary talents she had pretended at before, as well as enhanced agility and speed. Only after receiving these gifts did she learn her mysterious benefactor's identity. And there were greater, more damning revelations: The Kingpin told her that in time, her powers would bring bad luck to Spider-Man -- eventually resulting in his death. To save his life, she would be forced to break off their affair. But the web-spinner put an end to their relationship himself due to her amorality, coupled with her disdain for his life apart from being Spider-Man. Again a free agent, the Black Cat embarked on a Robin Hood-type crusade. Her days of "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor" were cut short when Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts and Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, removed her probability-altering powers. She departed for Paris, but returned to the United States some time later to discover that Spider-Man -- a.k.a. Peter Parker, photojournalist -- had married supermodel Mary Jane Watson. Hardy began dating Parker's friend, Flash Thompson, hoping to upset her former beau. She even confronted Mary Jane, vowing to ruin their marriage. But when Spider-Man lost his powers, the Black Cat showed her true colors by saving him from the sting of the villainous Scorpion. However, all her abilities were rendered inert by the shapeshifting Chameleon. Robbed of her genetic gifts, Hardy confessed her true affection for Thompson even as they ended their relationship. |
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