Tomorrow, the exciting team of @sispurrier & @JesusSaiz take on my favourite character in comics: The Black Knight!

Here’s a thread about my love of the character, how he functions, and why I think Spurrier will finally make this Dane’s time to shine. https://www.comixology.co.uk/King-In-Black-Black-Knight-2021-1/digital-comic/898972?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC90b3BSZXN1bHRzU2xpZGVy
King In Black: Black Knight (2021) #1

THE BLACK KNIGHT DUELS THE KING IN BLACK! KNULL’s ferocious assault upon earth has begun and Dane Whitman – Avenger, hero, and wielder of the mighty Ebony Blade as the BLACK KNIGHT – takes up sword...

https://www.comixology.co.uk/King-In-Black-Black-Knight-2021-1/digital-comic/898972?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC90b3BSZXN1bHRzU2xpZGVy
Dane Whitman is the first Marvel character I loved enough to follow monthly through US imports. I first encountered him when he was basically Han Solo with a lightsaber and a cool costume.

This was catnip to 8 year old me, who loved superheroes & swords.
Dane Whitman is the first Marvel character I loved enough to follow monthly through US imports. I first encountered him when he was basically Han Solo with a lightsaber and a cool costume. This was catnip to 8 year old me, who loved superheroes & swords.
Dane Whitman is the first Marvel character I loved enough to follow monthly through US imports. I first encountered him when he was basically Han Solo with a lightsaber and a cool costume. This was catnip to 8 year old me, who loved superheroes & swords.
But this '92-97 version of him (which incidentally was the last time he made significant, regular appearances across the Marvel/Malibu line) was a departure from his usual portrayal, both in personality and powers.
But this '92-97 version of him (which incidentally was the last time he made significant, regular appearances across the Marvel/Malibu line) was a departure from his usual portrayal, both in personality and powers.
But this '92-97 version of him (which incidentally was the last time he made significant, regular appearances across the Marvel/Malibu line) was a departure from his usual portrayal, both in personality and powers.
At his origin, he had a cool costume that, through his ancestry, brought a fantasy flavour to the Avengers and opened up some new possibilities for plots, but there wasn’t a central driving character trait or theme that could power solo tales in the way there was for, say, Spidey
Arguably, as someone built to be a member of a team, he didn't really need one - but he didn't really have the most compelling personality, either.
In fact, in most of his appearances, he was sort of a (loveable) square, being team 'science guy' and falling in unrequited love
He did get the odd cool moment, like facing down Zeus himself, or defeating Kang - and there's definitely something to be said for a relatively quiet, powerless hero getting to take down the Big Bad every now and then.

But these moments haven't stuck as defining ones for him
(Incidentally, these examples are from his most well read stories – so no wonder we get jokes like this one in a relatively recent Deadpool )
There is absolutely a place for a character like this in a team dynamic, but it's also understandable why few writers at this time chose to make Dane the driving character of their narratives.

Even his signature early stories are things that happen TO him.
(Including being turned into a statue TWICE - and being stuck as one THROUGHOUT HIS FIRST SOLO MINISERIES!)
(Including being turned into a statue TWICE - and being stuck as one THROUGHOUT HIS FIRST SOLO MINISERIES!)
(Including being turned into a statue TWICE - and being stuck as one THROUGHOUT HIS FIRST SOLO MINISERIES!)
It is notable that the stories of the Ebony Blade and its curse, the most notable feature of the character for so much of his history, often make Dane a passive character.

EG When the curse is reactivated by bloodshed, it is not Whitman who wields the blade.
It is notable that the stories of the Ebony Blade and its curse, the most notable feature of the character for so much of his history, often make Dane a passive character. EG When the curse is reactivated by bloodshed, it is not Whitman who wields the blade.
It is notable that the stories of the Ebony Blade and its curse, the most notable feature of the character for so much of his history, often make Dane a passive character. EG When the curse is reactivated by bloodshed, it is not Whitman who wields the blade.
I think this is because, as @sispurrier points out in a recent interview with CBR, the Blade, and the challenges it presents, doesn't really tie to any intrinsic, fundamental aspect of Dane Whitman's character. https://www.cbr.com/black-knight-simon-spurrier-interview/
There's an argument to be made that the tension between the nobility of BK's aims and the weapon driving him towards evil is enough to generate compelling story, but for me, this is limited as a story engine as it remains an external conflict - just get rid of the Blade!
Compare this to, say, Walter White, who faced an external challenge in his cancer diagnosis, but the story came from how this activated an internal trait - his pride.
Historically, BK has lacked this combo.
So...I've been pretty negative up to now. And it probably seems weird that I'm talking like this about my favourite character!
You may be wondering at this point what I DO like about him...
When a character has been around in a shared universe as long as Dane Whitman has, they begin to accrete abandoned directions, clashing storylines and experiences that, when unpacked properly, can lead to interesting characterisations and stories - enter Bob Harras!
Memorably, a fan letter said Black Knight had ‘been used and abused more than a wet noodle on pasta night’. And it’s true.

Turned into a statue x 2
Stuck for 5 years in one of the bloodiest conflicts in history
Driven crazy by a cursed sword
When Harras brought Dane back to the Avengers he began to acknowledge the weight of these experiences.

I suspect this was about finding an excuse for the more quippy, dynamic personality that Harras wanted to write - but it began to establish trauma at the character's root
When Harras brought Dane back to the Avengers he began to acknowledge the weight of these experiences. I suspect this was about finding an excuse for the more quippy, dynamic personality that Harras wanted to write - but it began to establish trauma at the character's root
When Harras brought Dane back to the Avengers he began to acknowledge the weight of these experiences. I suspect this was about finding an excuse for the more quippy, dynamic personality that Harras wanted to write - but it began to establish trauma at the character's root
When Harras brought Dane back to the Avengers he began to acknowledge the weight of these experiences. I suspect this was about finding an excuse for the more quippy, dynamic personality that Harras wanted to write - but it began to establish trauma at the character's root
You can follow @Alex_Jamieson.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:
Those who think consciousness raising & movement building are disconnected, or even a distraction from electoral politics have not paid attention to the history of social change.In this thread, we
Read more
The 2020s will be known as the Remote Work decadeA few predictions of what is likely to emerge[ a thread ] Third Space: Office and Working from Home will
Read more
1/29: Have you ever had a concept explained to you that helps frame complex issues you’ve been wrestling with and opens your eyes to new possibilities? A concept that I
Read more
By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.