Synopsis
In the wake of the murder of Captain America (Bucky Barnes), Black Widow crashes into the office of a tabloid just as they are preparing a cover proclaiming, “Captain America Death a Hoax!” At gunpoint, Natasha demands they turn over what evidence they have on Bucky’s death; editor Lori calls Nat’s bluff, knowing one of the Avengers wouldn’t shoot anyone. Lori also knows that no one sent Nat, she’s on her own—and that they have no such evidence. Staff writer Josh explains that there is no such evidence: the story of Bucky’s death was made up because stories about the deaths of heroes are big sellers. Nat is offended at how they are exploiting a dead man, especially one who died to protect them—but a staffer named Dana has no sympathy. Death means something different for superheroes when it’s frequently only temporary. Nat argues that temporary or not, death is still traumatic for the heroes and coming back after however long a time and trying to resume their lives is also an ordeal. In such a situation there is frequently no healing. Lori talks to Nat in private, telling her she lost her husband in a plane crash, and that their readers need these stories, and that superheroes like the Black Widow lose their humanity as they suffer to inspire the ordinary people. Nat leaves and Lori deletes the Captain America story….