Black Knight (Marvel Comics)
Black Knight | |
---|---|
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Black Knight #1 (May 1955) |
Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Joe Maneely (art) |
Characters | Sir Percy Nathan Garrett Dane Whitman Augustine du Lac |
See also | Ebony Blade The Black Knight lineage |
Black Knight | |
Series publication information | |
Publisher | (vol 1) Atlas Comics (vol 2) Marvel Comics |
Schedule | (vol 1) Bi-monthly (vol 2) Monthly |
Format | (vol 1) Ongoing series (vol 2) Limited series |
Genre | (vol 1) Fantasy (vol 2) Superhero, magic in comics |
Publication date | (vol 1) May – December 1955 (vol 2) June – September 1990 |
Number of issues | (vol 1) 5 (vol 2) 4 |
Main character(s) | (both) Sir Percy |
The Black Knight is the alias of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Dane Whitman appears in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals (2021), portrayed by Kit Harington.
Publication history
Marvel Comics' first Black Knight, Sir Percy of
Sir Percy's descendant, Professor Nathan Garrett, debuted as the modern-day supervillain Black Knight in
Dane Whitman, Garrett's nephew, made his first appearance in The Avengers #47 (Dec. 1967) and became a heroic version of the Black Knight in the subsequent issue.[4] Whitman sporadically appeared with the Avengers until becoming a core member, regularly appearing in #252–300 (1985–1989) and #329–375 (1991–1994).
The Gatherers storyline running through The Avengers #343–375 (1992–1994) placed the spotlight on the Black Knight, as the book's focus turned toward his tumultuous relationship with the Eternal
Whitman and Sir Percy also starred in the limited series Black Knight #1–4 (June–Sept. 1990), written by Roy and Dann Thomas and drawn by successive pencillers
Fictional character biographies
Sir Percy of Scandia
The original Black Knight is
Nathan Garrett
Biologist
Dane Whitman
Dane Whitman is the Black Knight who has been a longtime member of the Avengers as well as a member of the Defenders, Ultraforce, Heroes for Hire, and MI: 13. Using his uncle's notes, Whitman wielded the same equipment and created his own Aragorn.[14]
Augustine du Lac
A Vatican Black Knight named Augustine du Lac
Female Black Knight
A teenage female Black Knight later appears in the Vengeance limited series as a member of the Young Masters. Like Garrett, this incarnation is a villain and appears to possess the Ebony Blade. How she came into possession of the sword and what happened to Augustine has yet to be revealed. She was with the Young Masters when they were at an abandoned HYDRA base in Pennsylvania. While inspecting Bullseye's corpse, they were attacked by Lady Bullseye.[19] Later targeting Doctor Octopus for "execution", the Young Masters found themselves battling the Sinister Six while being assisted by the Teen Brigade, with Black Knight being assisted in taking down Sandman by Teen Brigade member Ultimate Nullifier.[20] While visiting a nightclub, Black Knight encountered Ultimate Nullifier at the time when the Young Masters plotted to recruit a reborn Loki to their side.[21] In the morning, Black Knight showed Ultimate Nullifier a letter that spurred the Young Masters on their quest to kill older villains along with a CIA file discussing genocide on Russian prisoners carried out by Red Skull in World War II Poland. Informing Ultimate Nullifier that she was going to leave the Young Masters and had plans that did not involve evil, she left the Young Masters' base leaving behind the CIA file for Nullifier.[22]
Black Knight was later seen with the Young Masters where they are seen as members of the
Jacks Chopra
Jackie "Jacks" Chopra - Dane Whitman's previously unknown daughter and an Arthurian history buff who shares the Black Knight mantle and the Ebony Blade with her father so that burden of doing so would not be handled alone.[24]
The Black Knight lineage
Nathan Garrett and Dane Whitman are part of a lineage of Black Knights stretching back to the 6th century. In
These Black Knights are:
- Sir Raston ("Ralston" appears only in New Excalibur #10) – Sir Percy's nephew, who became the Black Knight after him. He lived in the Dark Ages, but was recruited into the Anachronauts by Kang the Conqueror and travelled through time.[27]
- Sir Eobar of Garrington – He was the Black Knight during the Crusades.[28][clarification needed]
- Sir William – He is depicted fighting in the trenches of World War I.
- Sir Henry – He is depicted as a swashbuckling figure.
Later in "The Last Days of Camelot", Sir Percy reveals to Dane that he was not the first Black Knight and that eight knights had carried the Ebony Blade before him, the last being King Arthur's cousin Sir Reginald. Each one had been driven mad by the sword and had to be killed until it was decided there were only three people who could take the sword, but King Arthur and Merlin were needed in other capacities, so the "burden" fell to Sir Percy who accepted despite knowing the risks.[29]
The apparent "Last Knight" is Ernst Wythim, a member of the lineage from around 2600 AD.[30]
Ebony Blade
History
The Ebony Blade was created by comic book writer
Sean Dolan, Dane's ex-
Dolan was drawn to this second Blade, and once again became Bloodwraith.
At some point Dracula replaced Dane Whitman's blade with a fake one (see below), and the real Blade came to be in Iraq and was secured by the Vatican after it was found by Opus Dei in a purging of a vampire nest. The Vatican sent a new Black Knight assassin (Augustine du Lac) to kill Black Panther, who took it from the Knight for his own uses. Black Panther used the blade in several battles, including the Skrull invasion.
Upon learning the blade was fake for a second time, Dane Whitman retrieved the real blade from Black Panther's Wakandan nation where he was presented it by Queen Ororo T'Challa.[37]
During
It comes to light in King in Black that the wizard Merlin had lied about how a wielder uses the cursed sword. Knull, primordial dark god of all symbiotes, revealed it only gives its true power to those who prove to be the most "baneful" and hate-filled of individuals, not those who are pure in body and mind; it takes one who is able to come to grips with their own faults and push on despite them to utilize what the evil deity described as World Ender.[39]
The sword also gives its users a state of resurrective immortality wherein if the wielder were to fall in battle, a blood offering of sorts can be used to restore them to life.[40]
Powers and abilities
The Ebony Blade is a powerful enchanted weapon. It is said to be indestructible, and only the extremely powerful Iron Ogre, a magic creature, could split it in half.[41] The blade has many mystical or quasi-mystical capabilities, including the ability to:
- Shear through any physical substance with the exception of other enchanted weapons and extremely strong metals like adamantium.
- Cleaves mystical barriers.
- Deflect energy when angled correctly.
- Absorb all forms of energy, including the Promethean Flame.
- Grants retroactive immortality.
- Manifests shadowed armor in a similar manner to a Klyntar.
- Discharges force of its own.
- Can absorb souls to make itself stronger.
- Bypass intangibility.
- Wispy armor enables wielders to fly.
- Protection from mysticism.
- Bestows an incredible healing factor.
Dane Whitman discovered most of these abilities through scientific testing of the Blade. Additionally, the Blade bonds to its wielder in such a way that the wielder can summon it back to himself or herself using a mystical ceremony if it is ever lost, even if it is in a different time period. The Blade cannot be used against its owner, as seen when Caden Tar tries to use it to kill Dane Whitman, but cannot pierce his skin.[42] The Blade formerly rendered its wielder invulnerable to everything except another weapon carved from the same meteor, such as the Ebony Dagger.
Other notable wielders of the Blade include Whitman's ancestors
.Curses and influences
The Ebony Blade was afflicted with a blood curse due to all the blood
The Blade was sometimes known to subtly compel Dane to do things or go places that were tied to its previous wielders, as well. It was revealed by the symbiote god Knull that its power relies on the curse. As it thrives on the negative proclivities of flawed and imperfect wielders to maximize on its inherent power. Something that only the unworthy can utilize as its edge dulls when wielded by a chivalrous soul.
Fake Ebony Blade
On occasion, the Ebony Blade appears in two separate comic series simultaneously, most notably in 2006 when it was in use by Dane Whitman (Black Knight) in the
In a 2006 interview, when addressing a question about the confusion of the Ebony Blades appearing in two comics, Marvel Comics' editor Nick Lowe had this response:
The Black Knight in Black Panther wasn't ya' boy, Dane Whitman. It was an imposter who stole the sword from Dane. Now, since the imposter wasn't an idiot, he knew that if he outright stole the sword, Dane would come looking for it. So he replaced it with a different sword, so Dane didn't even know it was missing. We're touching on this in
New Excalibur #14–15.[43]
At the end of those issues no full explanation was given. Whitman was shown to have sensed that his Ebony Blade was not the real one and left to find the original, then being used by Black Panther. Though both
Writer
Upon learning that the blade was fake for the second time in #7 of that series, Whitman retrieved the real blade from Black Panther's Wakandan nation where he was presented it by Queen Ororo T'Challa.[37]
Other versions
Earth X
In the "
Marvel 2099
In the unified Marvel 2099 reality of Earth-2099, an unidentified Black Knight appears as a member of the 2099 version of the Masters of Evil where they slaughtered the 2099 version of the Avengers. As the Masters of Evil conquered some planets, Black Knight was killed by Baron Zemo for disobeying orders.[47]
Marvel Zombies
Dane becomes one of the dozens of super-powered zombies that are laying siege to the castle of Doctor Doom. The zombies have detected delicious humans hiding inside, all of whom ultimately escape.
Ultimate Marvel
In the
The Dane Whitman version of Black Knight appears in the pages of
In other media
Television
- The Nathan Garrett incarnation of the Black Knight appears in The Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by Len Carlson.[51] This version is a member of Baron Heinrich Zemo's Masters of Evil.
- The Sir Percy incarnation of the Black Knight appears in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "Knights & Demons", voiced by Vic Perrin. Dane Whitman was also meant to appear, but was rejected to avoid confusion.[52]
- The Augustine du Lac incarnation of the Black Knight appears in Black Panther, voiced by JB Blanc.[53]
- The Nathan Garrett incarnation of the Black Knight appears in Iron Man: Armored Adventures, voiced by Alistair Abell. This version is a Maggia enforcer serving under Count Nefaria.
- The Dane Whitman incarnation of the Black Knight makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "Come the Conqueror".
Film
Dane Whitman appears in Eternals (2021), portrayed by Kit Harington.[54]
Video games
- The Dane Whitman incarnation of the Black Knight appears as a playable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
- The Nathan Garrett, Dane Whitman, and Augustine du Lac incarnations of the Black Knight appear in Lego Marvel's Avengers, with Garrett and Whitman appearing in the "Masters of Evil" DLC pack while Du Lac appears in the "Black Panther" DLC pack.[55]
- A teenage version of Dane Whitman / Black Knight appears as a playable character in Marvel Avengers Academy, voiced by Ian Russell.
- The Dane Whitman, Sir Percy, and Nathan Garrett incarnations of the Black Knight appear as unlockable characters in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.
Collected editions
There are several collected editions of the comic issues featuring the different incarnations of the Black Knight:
References
- ^ Markstein, Don. "The Black Knight". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ISBN 9781605490540.
- ^ Black Knight at the Grand Comics Database.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ISBN 978-1465455505.
- ^ Black Knight #1–5 (May–Dec. 1955). Atlas Comics (the 1950s precursor of Marvel Comics).
- ^ a b Marvel Super-Heroes #17 (Nov. 1968). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Tales to Astonish #52 (Feb. 1964). Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Avengers #6, 14–15 (July 1964, March–April 1965). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Fantastic Four Annual #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Tales of Suspense #73. Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Avengers #47 (Dec. 1967). Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Avengers #48 (Jan. 1968). Marvel Comics.
- ISBN 978-1465455505.
- ^ Klaws of the Panther TPB's Handbook entry on Black Panther (Shuri)
- ^ Captain Britain and MI: 13 #10. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Black Panther vol. 4 #4 (July 2005). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Punisher War Journal vol. 2 #13–14. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Vengeance #2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Vengeance #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Vengeance #4. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Vengeance #5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers Undercover #2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade #5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Last Days of Camelot at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- New Excalibur#10 (2006). Marvel Comics.
- ^ "Anachronauts (Kang minions, Avengers/Fantastic Four/Force Works foes)". Marvunapp.com. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
- ^ "Eobar Garrington (Black Knight of the 12th Century, Crusades)". Marvunapp.com. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
- ^ New Excalibur #12 (2006)
- ^ "The Last Knight (Black Knight (Whitman) foe/descendant)". Marvunapp.com. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
- ^ The Defenders #4. Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Defenders #11. Marvel Comics.
- ^ "Black Knight statue (Avengers, Defenders, Dr. Strange "character")". Marvunapp.com. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
- ^ The Avengers #375. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers Unplugged #6 (Aug. 1996). Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Avengers vol. 3 #37. Marvel Comics.
- ^ a b Captain Britain and MI13 #10. Marvel Comics.
- ^ War of the Realms #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ King in Black: The Black Knight #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade #1-2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Hulk Comic #12 (May 1979). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Black Knight vol. 4 #5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Joe Friday's Week 26, Newsarama, December 12, 2006
- ^ Black Panther vol. 4 22. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Captain Britain and MI-13 #7. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Earth X #1–13 (1999–2000). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Spider-Man 2099: Exodus #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Ultimates 2 #6
- ^ New Ultimates #1
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Ultimates #22
- ^ The Marvel Super Heroes on TV! Book One: Iron Man (2017) - by J. Ballmann, ISBN 9 781545 345658
- ^ "episode entry". Tv.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
- ^ "Black Knight Voice – Marvel Universe franchise | Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 23, 2019. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ Couch, Aaron (August 24, 2019). "Marvel Confirms Kit Harington for 'Eternals,' Sets 'Black Panther II' Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ^ "LEGO Marvel Avengers first DLC packs get release dates". March 17, 2016.
External links
- Black Knight at the Marvel Universe
- Black Knight at the Marvel Database Project
- Atlas Tales
- The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators