“Things are about to get weird. So, when they do, we’re not gonna need a captain America. We’re gonna need a U.S. Agent.”
Contessa Valentina Allegra De La Fontaine first swaggered her way into the MCU in episodes of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, where she rescued John Walker off of the scrap heap, and turned him into the U.S. Agent. Later, Valentina sent Yelena Belova after Hawkeye. And now she’s bringing together an oddball group of teammates to form The Thunderbolts. So where does Val “Don’t call me that,” Valentina come from?
The Countess Emerges As A Top S.H.I.E.L.D. Recruit
First appearing in a short story entitled, Spy School in Strange Tales Vol.1 #159 (1967) from Marvel Comics. Seen only briefly, she makes a stunning entrance. As a newly recruited S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, she is at an advanced training center with other new trainees. The newcomers are treated to a sparring match between Captain America and Nick Fury. When a temporary bout of dizziness puts Fury Down, Valentina rushed to his aid. Fury rebuffs her and the scorned Valentina promptly puts Fury on his backside.
Secret Warriors Vol. 1 #14 (2010) adds some prehistory to Valentina’s first appearance. Her parents were part of the Italian anti-communist movement in Rome. After a bomb attack claimed the lives of her parents, she was approached by Dum Dum Dugan, and was recruited to join the ranks of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Valentina’s relationship with Nick Fury grew as she joined his war against the Yellow Claw. The conflict culminated in Marvel’s Strange Tales Vol.1 #167 (1967). An assault against Yellow Claw’s fortified stronghold revealed that all along he had been an android, built and controlled by Dr. Doom.
Valentina Is A Femme Force To Be Reckoned With
In Captain America Vol.1 #145 (1972), Valentina appeared as second in command to Sharon Carter of the all-female cadre named Femme Force. Since Carter was the leader with the designation of Agent 13, Valentina took on the designation of Agent 14. While they worked together for common goals, Valentina looked to wrestle control away from Agent 13. Undermining Carter’s leadership during assignments, and showing fondness for Captain America, Sharon Carter’s romantic interest, put strains on the relationships between Valentina, Carter, Captain America, and Nick Fury.
Valentina would continue to have an on again, off again relationship with Nick Fury. However, her commitment to S.H.I.E.L.D. would never waver. At times even putting S.H.I.E.L.D. before her personal feelings for Fury.
In Captain America Vol1. #449 (1996), in the aftermath of Fury’s apparent death, Valentina was named as the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.. However, Sharon Carter did not believe that Fury was actually gone. She uncovered that the presumed dead Fury, was in fact a Life Model Decoy (LMD). Carter discovered that the real Nick Fury was alive inside of a pocket dimension that was created by a Cosmic Cube. With the help of Tony Stark, Fury was brought back to his home dimension. Upon returning, Fury decided to not return to the head of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Instead, he named Sharon Carter as the new director.
Valentina Becomes A Deep Undercover Agent
Contessa Valentina Allegra De La Fontaine would emerge again in The Mighty Avengers Vol1. #12 (2008) After an intimate encounter with Nick Fury, Fury discovered that she had been replaced by a Skrull. The Skrull invasion would eventually be repelled. In the wake of the invasion it was discovered that the humans who had been replaced by Skrull duplicates were being held within a spaceship in orbit. The real Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was among those that were being held. She reached out to Fury, but he chose to disappear into the shadows once more.
In the aftermath of the Skrull invasion, S.H.I.E.L.D. was supplanted by a new organization known as H.A.M.M.E.R., which was founded by Norman Osborn. During this time of turmoil, Hydra reemerged to take their place as a pivotal force on the global espionage stage. During this period Valentina took on the identity of Madame Hydra, and maneuvered herself into a position in the High Council of Hydra. Eventually, Hydra would become embroiled in a conflict with an organization known as Leviathan. Both organizations were destroyed as a result of their war, with Fury eliminating Baron Strucker and dealing the final blow to Hydra.
Life, Death, And Betrayal With The Thunderbolts
Contessa Valentina Allegra De La Fontaine would emerge once again In Thunderbolts Vol.5 #1 (2024). Valentina is recruited by Bucky Barnes to join forces and form a new Thunderbolts team. A team that includes Red Guardian, John Walker the U.S. Agent, and Yelena Belova. During their first mission it was revealed that Valentina had died in a Russian Gulag, and her memories were transferred into a LMD. Together, this Thunderbolts team ended the Red Skull, but drew the ire of Dr. Doom.
In Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 (2025) it is revealed that the real Contessa Valentina Allegra De La Fontaine is still alive. However, she has been working for Dr. Doom under the guise of Citizen V, and is running her own Thunderbolts team. In a battle of Thunderbolts versus Thunderbolts, Valentina came out on top. And her prize is delivering a captured Bucky Barnes, to Dr. Doom.
In the MCU, Contessa Valentina Allegra De La Fontaine is a shady character. Her motives and true alliances are unknown. And considering that her comic book counterpart has history with Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra, the Skrulls, the Thunderbolts, and Dr. Doom, it is intriguing to consider where Valentina will show up next, and what are her motivations in the MCU.
“Keep your phone on.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
