Why Black Knight Was Always More Interesting Than Thor

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Most Marvel fans immediately think of Thor when it comes to heroes with magical weapons. As the Asgardian God of Thunder, he earned the right to wield Mjolnir, and has become incredibly popular over the years, blending myth and science fiction into memorable stories. Thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor is now a major pop culture icon. But for those truly familiar with Marvel’s history, there’s an even more intriguing hero with a magical weapon who’s been largely overlooked: the Black Knight.

While Mjolnir is famously one of Marvel’s strongest weapons, the Black Knight’s Ebon Blade has a long and fascinating history, stretching back to ancient times. Over the years, several heroes have wielded the title of Black Knight – from villains like a founding member of the Masters of Evil, to a hero who battled Apocalypse and eventually led the Avengers. It might be a surprising opinion, but the Black Knight is actually a more compelling character than Thor, if Marvel would just give him the opportunity to truly stand out.

Black Knight Has a Rich Legacy Most Marvel Fans Know Nothing About

Nathan Garrett was the first Black Knight most readers met. He was a villain who wielded the Ebony Blade, a cursed weapon passed down through his family for generations. The blade’s dark influence had turned him evil, and he fought alongside the Masters of Evil against the Avengers before ultimately dying. His nephew, Dane Whitman, then inherited the Ebony Blade, which dramatically changed his life. After proving himself worthy to the spirit of his ancestor, Sir Percy, and learning about the sword’s dangerous history and corrupting power, Dane chose to become a hero, secretly joining the Masters of Evil to fight them from the inside.

Dane was unexpectedly sent back in time, possessing the body of his ancestor, Eobar Garrington. He found himself fighting in the Crusades, alongside the mutant Exodus, and even aided Exodus in a battle against Apocalypse. Eventually returning to the present, Dane became an Avenger, and during a period known as “the Leather Jacket era,” he rose to lead the team. He struggled with the curse of the Blade, sometimes succumbing to its influence. More recently, he’s made brief appearances, including a fight against Knull during the *King in Black* event. However, Dane’s popularity has waned since the 1990s, and he’s now largely a forgotten character.

The Black Knight and his weapon, the Ebony Blade, are surprisingly significant figures who haven’t received the attention they deserve. Forged from a piece of a meteorite by Merlin himself, the Ebony Blade is a powerful magical artifact – arguably one of the most potent on Earth. Even Knull, a cosmic being of immense power, was aware of it, highlighting its importance. While the blade carries a typical curse, it provides a challenge for its wielder, something Nathan succumbed to, but Dane has actively fought against. Unlike Mjolnir, which primarily acts as a powerful energy source within a hammer, the Ebony Blade possesses its own will and can influence whoever wields it.

While Dane has been featured in stories, his potential is far from fully realized. Thor’s journey focused on learning humility, and he’s since become the hero he was meant to be. Dane, despite his own impressive history – including leadership of the Avengers and travels through time and alternate universes – has largely been overlooked by Marvel. There’s still a lot of unexplored territory with his character, especially regarding his struggle with the Ebony Blade, a conflict that feels distinct from Thor’s relationship with Mjolnir. Unlike Thor, whose story feels complete, Dane has a wealth of untapped potential.

Black Knight Deserves Another Shot at the Big Time

For a long time, Thor’s stories have felt repetitive, despite being a fantastic character. Black Knight, however, offers a lot more potential. The history of the Ebony Blade, a powerful artifact, hasn’t been fully explored, and Marvel could use it to create compelling stories. Showing the blade’s past and impact – even with some clever retcons – would be a great way to establish the Black Knight as a significant character and make the Ebony Blade truly interesting for readers.

Dane Whitman, also known as the Black Knight, is a compelling character with a rich history and huge potential. He’s battled throughout time and space, even crossing paths with powerful villains like Apocalypse, and has even led the Avengers. Marvel has a great opportunity with Dane – he could become a major star, and the mystical Ebony Blade he wields offers endless storytelling possibilities. It’s time Marvel gives this character the attention he deserves.

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2025-10-12 17:12