Warning: SPOILERS for Black Widow Prelude

The Black Widow Prelude comic was seen by many fans as a chance to get back to basics on the MCU’s Natasha Romanoff, setting the stage for her promotion from a cast member of The Avengers to the star of her very own movie. But the last thing they expected was to see Marvel Comics taking a jab or two at the movie adaptation of the deadly, elusive, and extremely Russian operative. Specifically, the New York-born actress cast to bring her to life.

Thanks to the movies’ slow trickle of details, and what’s already been shown of her upcoming solo film, audiences the world over know all about Natasha Romanoff’s brutal training to become a ruthless killer for the most shadowy corners of the Russian government. Trained as an assassin and a spy by the Red Room, Natasha eventually switched sides (even S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t know exactly why) to begin fighting for the good guys. Eventually, movie fans got to watch her make friends, build a family, and let her guard down completely. One would assume that would also mean dropping any disguise, including any carefully crafted American accent. Except… she doesn’t have one.

For the record, most of Widow’s MCU origin fits with the comics. Created in 1964 by Stan Lee, Don Rico, and Don Heck, Black Widow was originally introduced as a “sexy Russian spy,” playing the kind of Iron Man villain comic readers would expect, based on that description. But even if she made the leap to North America, Natasha’s origin is anchored in her troubled upbringing and training in Russia – a detail highlighted in Black Widow Prelude. Set during the days after Captain America: Civil War, Natasha Romanoff is a fugitive according to General “Thunderbolt” Ross, who is painting her as a traitor to the high-ranking World Council member Natasha imitated in the film’s final act.

Ross explains Black Widow’s history to his colleague (and the reader), but it isn’t her Red Room training program that stands out. It’s her accent. The comic also makes sure to offer a few potential clues related to the ongoing mysterious “Budapest” references, but the question of Natasha’s perfectly American, casual accent among her closest friends is one mystery audiences will probably have overlooked. The joke comes at the expense of the Manhattan-born Johansson, but Thunderbolt Ross’ explanation may not smooth things over for many moviegoers.

Considering Johansson will be reuniting with her ‘family’ in Black Widow – played by Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour, all sporting Russian accents – there’s a chance that her resistance to use her native Russian even among her family will finally be called out. But considering Johansson’s portrayal is now being called out in the Black Widow comics, we wouldn’t hold our breath.

Black Widow Prelude #1 will be available from your local comic shop on January 15th, 2020.

MORE: MCU Theory: Black Widow Is The Russian Captain America