Blade Made Marvel Horror Cool (Here’s How)

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In the ’70s, I found myself part of Marvel Comics, a world renowned for its superheroes. Yet, when there was a need or desire, it didn’t hesitate to introduce non-superhero characters. This was particularly true in the 1970s, when the relaxation of content restrictions and the surge of interest in the occult and supernatural opened up a unique opportunity for Marvel. After all, this was a genre we had dabbled with in our infancy, but had to abandon due to the Comics Code Authority’s disapproval. Seizing this chance where timing met readiness, Marvel boldly ventured into horror, introducing five horror-themed titles within just two years, along with a series of horror anthology comics. It could be said that during the ’70s, Marvel was the go-to place for anyone seeking chilling horror comic stories.

According to Roy Thomas, former Editor-in-Chief at Marvel, as shared in an interview with Stan Lee for Comic Book Artist #2 (later published by TwoMorrows), Marvel found it relatively straightforward to transition into horror stories. This was largely because they had a wealth of horror concepts on hand, many of which were conceived by Stan Lee himself during his long tenure, when content restrictions began to loosen up. Many of these ideas featured popular horror archetypes such as vampires, werewolves, zombies, and monsters akin to Frankenstein, borrowing from the classic horror themes prevalent in the 1950s and early 1960s. Some concepts also expanded upon creatures from the black-and-white horror comics that had been permitted to tell graphic tales previously.

Blade Broke the Mold for Horror Comic Heroes

It’s worth noting that some of the monsters Marvel introduced in their early horror comics didn’t quite fit with the popular culture trends of the time. However, this began to change with the introduction of Blade. This character was created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan, who were among the key writers of Marvel’s horror comics, along with Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Steve Gerber, and Doug Moench. Blade first appeared in issue 10 of Tomb of Dracula, which was Marvel’s main horror comic title, in 1972.

Initially, Blade was primarily known as a secondary character within the Marvel Comics world. However, he had a unique charm that made him stand out among characters like Daimon Hellstrom and Man-Thing, who were also part of the growing Marvel “horror” realm. Unlike his counterparts, Blade exhibited an undeniable superhero quality – he was more focused on hunting down monsters rather than combating common crime.

Instead of just standing out due to his distinct style, Blade’s uniqueness ran deeper; he had a fundamentally different essence compared to other Marvel supernatural characters. Unlike most monsters such as Jack Russell from Werewolf by Night, Morbius, or Johnny Blaze from Ghost Rider, Blade was predominantly human, yet he possessed many of a vampire’s powers – superhuman strength, speed, and resilience – without the typical weaknesses like sensitivity to sunlight. This made him unlike traditional tragic figures plagued by a supernatural affliction or tormented monsters struggling with their darker nature, instead, Blade was a powerful superhero who thrived in a horror setting, rather than being hindered by his personal circumstances.

With Blade, it’s Hip to be Scared

Blade’s character stood out as a unique and exhilarating addition due to his rational, super-powered human persona, free from the afflictions of being cursed or fearing an uncontrollable transformation. He also had an extraordinary resilience, being immune to one of horror genre’s most potent threats: vampire bites. His hybrid nature earned him the moniker “man without fear” in pursuit of his mission – eliminating the monstrous predators preying on his community. Unlike many others, he didn’t hunt with apprehension; instead, he did it with a bold and captivating self-assurance.

Surely, Blade’s focus on action over tragedy brought a refreshing, modern flair to a genre that typically left readers feeling fearful, disgusted, and shocked. However, Blade didn’t just cool down horror comics; he also injected them with a sense of empowerment. Unlike traditional horror where people were usually portrayed as fleeing from monsters with no chance of resistance, Blade demonstrated that humanity could not only fight back but ultimately prevail.

Blade Goes From Supporting Role to Marvel’s Multimedia Horror Icon

In simpler terms, Blade, when he joined Marvel’s horror series, brought a fresh vibe that was heavily inspired by the growing influence of Blaxploitation films during that time, such as Shaft, Superfly, and Black Belt Jones. These movies were known for featuring strong, fearless Black protagonists who fought against oppressive forces in their communities. Blade, being a brave black vampire hunter from the urban setting, represented this style perfectly. He shifted horror away from traditional gothic settings and moved it onto the rough city streets.

Blade played a crucial role in reviving Marvel’s horror genre, giving it a fresh, contemporary twist. Unlike other supernatural heroes from Marvel, Blade brought a sleek look, positive heroism, and an urban flair to a genre often overshadowed by gothic and old-world traditions. This made him the first Marvel horror character that truly felt like a superhero. His introduction paved the way for many other horror characters to transition into the superhero realm, broadening the appeal of Marvel’s horror comics and eventually making Blade one of the most recognized horror-themed characters globally.

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2025-08-10 02:11