True Believers: King in Black - Black Knight (2021)

True Believers: King in Black - Black Knight (2021) reintroduces a key moment in Marvel history—the first appearance of Dane Whitman as the Black Knight. As part of the True Believers line, it gives readers an opportunity to explore the origins of one of Marvel’s most tragic and heroic characters. The Ebony Blade and its curse remain central to Dane’s character, and this issue sets the stage for his future adventures, including his eventual role in larger Marvel events such as King in Black.

This issue is a reprint of Avengers #48 (1968), which marks the first appearance of Dane Whitman as the Black Knight. This comic was published as part of Marvel's True Believers line, which reprints key stories to introduce classic characters to new readers, and to coincide with the King in Black event.

The original issue introduces, as mentioned, Dane Whitman, a scientist and heir to the legacy of the Black Knight, who becomes the latest to wield the cursed and powerful Ebony Blade.

The original issue, and therefore this reprint, is significant not only for introducing the Black Knight, but also for laying the groundwork for Dane Whitman’s future role as an Avenger and a hero within the Marvel Universe.

Key Elements

• Dane Whitman / Black Knight: The protagonist, initially introduced as an antagonist, who inherits the cursed *Ebony Blade* and struggles with its dark influence.
• The Ebony Blade: The mystical sword that grants immense power but also curses its wielder, creating a tragic and complex hero in Dane Whitman.
• Roy Thomas: The legendary writer who introduced the Black Knight and developed many key Marvel characters in the 1960s and 1970s.
• John Buscema: The iconic artist responsible for illustrating this historic issue, capturing both the grandeur and the darker themes of the Black Knight’s character.
• True Believers Reprint: This issue is part of Marvel’s True Believers series, bringing classic, pivotal issues to new readers.