Dane Whitman
Dane Whitman is a male comic superhero who features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Dane Whitman
As a young man, Dane Whitman fell in love with Ashima Chopra, who developed terminal cancer. Dane planned to visit her in the hospital and propose, but lost his nerve and fell out of touch. Refusing treatment, Ashima died within a year, after secretly giving birth to a baby girl, Jackie. (Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade v1 #5)
Avengers
Dane Whitman intended to retire from super-heroics after this, recognizing what a poor showing he had made up until this point. After inheriting the original family castle on the outskirts of London from his uncle’s estate, Dane traveled to England to assess his new holdings. His uncle’s castle in Washington had been rebuilt to the exact specifications as this one and Dane discovered its secret passages as well. He inadvertently lit the Brazier of Truth, calling forth the lost spirit of Sir Percy of Scandia, who greeted his descendent. Percy explained the heroic legacy of the original Black Knight and offered Dane the chance to draw forth the Ebony Blade and wield it as a modern crusader. Percy said Nathan Garrett had failed to unsheathe the blade and it had turned him bitter. Dane Whitman did draw the Ebony Blade and was magically clothed in his armor as the Black Knight. After defeating the blade’s guardian to prove his worth, Dane was ready to return to his career and a knight and hero. Destiny called the Black Knight back to action for a reason. Mordred the Evil had made a pact with dark forces to bring his spirit back to the Earthly plane. Merlin’s final spells as Sir Percy died were that he or his heirs would always rise to defeat Mordred whenever the fiend returned. Mordred empowered a French blade artist named le Sabre to be his agent, gifting le Sabre with an animated gargoyle to ride and the Ebony Dagger to kill the Black Knight. Dane and Aragorn encountered le Sabre in mid-air and began to joust. The Black Knight recognized the Ebony Dagger from Percy’s tales and realized he was in mortal danger, but Aragorn kicked the dagger from le Sabre’s hands and sent it tumbling to the ground below. The gargoyle was slain and le Sabre was captured, but Dane could not find the fallen dagger, leaving the one weapon that could kill him out in the world for another foe to find. (Marvel Super-Heroes v1 #17)
As he renewed his efforts at heroism, the Black Knight attended the awkward wedding of Yellowjacket and Janet van Dyne at Avengers Mansion. (Avengers v1 #60) Back at Garrett Castle in England, Dane amused himself by wearing his knightly garb to attend a costumed party held by his English neighbor, Victoria Bentley. Doctor Strange was acquainted with Victoria as well and arrived seeking her magical assistance. He recognized Black Knight from Avengers Mansion and recruited the crusader in a quest against Tiboro and the Sons of Satannish. (Doctor Strange v1 #178) The Sons provided Strange with the Crystal of Conquest to oppose the Spell of Fire and Ice, an incantation to bring about Armageddon by unleashing Ymir and Surtur of Norse myth on the Earth. Black Knight and his allies the Avengers kept the Frost Giant of Jotunheim and the Fire Demon of Muspelheim busy until Doctor Strange readied the crystal’s power for a counter spell. Afterwards, Black Knight accompanied the Avengers to Wakanda to recuperate, becoming one of the first outsiders invited by King T’Challa to his hidden land. (Avengers v1 #62) Black Knight’s next encounter with the Avengers started off poorly, although he couldn’t have anticipated why. Kang and the Grandmaster were playing the Game of Galaxies, pitting the Avengers against the Squadron Sinister in individual matches with the fate of the Earth in the balance. So, when Goliath was teleported to London to battle his foe the Whizzer, the Black Knight couldn’t have known the consequences of interfering. The Knight struck down the super-villain and was surprised when Goliath yelled at him and snatched his sword away after the damage had already been done. Goliath and the Whizzer were teleported back to Kang’s 41st century citadel with the match over, taking the Ebony Blade with them. (Avengers v1 #70)
Dane returned to Garrett Castle and lit the Brazier of Truth to consult with Sir Percy. From beyond the veil of mortal time and space, the first Black Knight was able to observe the wager between Kang and the Grandmaster and relate the consequences of his actions to Dane Whitman. With Percy’s aid, the Black Knight focused on the Ebony Blade that Goliath had taken with him. Through their connection, Dane transported himself from present day England to the future citadel of Kang the Conqueror to reunite with his sword. Suitably armed, the Black Knight then freed the Avengers who were being held in stasis by Kang after their appointed matches. In two rounds, the Avengers won on behalf of Kang each time. However, because of the Black Knight’s interference, the Grandmaster resolved to give Kang only the power of Life or Death and not both as had been the wager. Kang intended to restore his beloved Ravonna from the brink of death with the power of Life but, when Black Knight and the freed Avengers barged in, his hatred overwhelmed him and Kang chose to receive the power of Death to kill his enemies instead. The Grandmaster was deliberately technical with his wagers, though, and Kang received only what he asked for: the power of Death over the Avengers. The Black Knight, not yet inducted into the team roster, proved immune to Kang’s newfound power and defeated the conqueror. The assembled Avengers quickly voted to correct their oversight after Kang and the Grandmaster were no longer a threat and Dane Whitman was inducted as a member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Although he accepted the honor, the Black Knight lived in England now and so would only serve when called upon, making him the team’s first deliberate reserve member. (Avengers v1 #71)
Dane served several tours of duty with the Avengers. While a member, his scientific knowledge came to be useful, especially when such minds as Iron Man and Hank Pym were not on the roster. He began his first extended membership with the team shortly after Vision stepped down as chairperson. (Avengers v1 #255)
While Dane would be away with the Avengers, Victoria Bentley retained ownership of the castle so he would not lose it. She could easily watch over the property as it neighbored hers. However, Dane's former squire became possessed by the Ebony Blade and turned into the Bloodwraith. (Avengers Annual v1 #22)
Heroes for Hire
Sersi was later able to transport herself and Dane back to the present. Their 'Gann Josin' had apparently been broken and they had gone their separate ways aside from acting as reservist Avengers. Dane joined Luke Cage's Heroes for Hire shortly after his return. (Heroes for Hire v1 #2) Whitman having found himself back in New York in the proper time, but without Sersi soon dealt another shattering blow when he learns that the Avengers and most of the other major heroes had apparently perished in their battle with Onslaught while he was gone, including Crystal. Whitman then learnt that the Lady of the Lake had selected him as the Pendragon for his age. She bestowed upon him new mystical equipment from Avalon: a suit of armor, the enchanted flying horse Strider, the Shield of Night, which absorbs energy, and the Sword of Light, which returns that energy in the form of an energy projectile. (Heroes for Hire v1 #3)
MI-13
Recently returned to England, Whitman appeared to be wielding the original Blade again. Dane arrived at the MI-13 headquarters in London, where he met with Pete Wisdom and a team of agents to address the sudden Skrull invasion of Earth. He participated in a high-level briefing regarding the extraterrestrial threat and the magical nature of the siege targeting the United Kingdom. When the Skrulls launched a massive assault on the city, Dane deployed into active combat alongside Captain Britain, Spitfire, and John the Skrull. He wielded a specialized photon sword and utilized his combat prowess to engage Skrull soldiers in the streets of London, fighting to protect civilians from the encroaching forces. During the heat of the battle, he witnessed the Skrulls utilizing advanced technology to neutralize magical defenses and saw the destruction of the Siege Perilous. He coordinated with his teammates to provide tactical support as the situation grew increasingly dire, eventually retreating with the survivors to the Cabinet War Rooms after the Skrulls successfully established a magical shield over the country. Throughout these events, he maintained a focused and professional demeanor, prioritizing the defense of the realm while managing the complexities of his role within the British intelligence agency. (Captain Britain and MI-13 v1 #1) He was stationed at the Cabinet War Rooms, serving as a key member of the displaced MI-13 resistance during the ongoing Skrull occupation of Britain. He participated in tactical discussions with Pete Wisdom and the surviving heroes, grappling with the strategic disadvantage caused by the Skrulls' magical dampening field. When the team received intelligence regarding a Skrull execution squad targeting mystical figures, Dane moved into the field to engage the invaders. He utilized his photon sword and combat expertise to fight through Skrull battalions in the streets of London, coordinating his strikes with Spitfire and John the Skrull to protect the civilian population. During the conflict, he was forced to navigate the chaos of a city under siege, witnessing the Skrulls' systematic dismantling of British magical ley lines. He demonstrated significant leadership and martial skill as he held his ground against superior numbers, eventually following Pete Wisdom’s lead in a high-stakes gamble to reclaim the mystical heart of the country. Throughout the skirmish, he struggled with the limitations of his current weaponry and the absence of his traditional gear, yet he remained committed to the defense of London and the survival of his teammates as the extraterrestrial forces intensified their assault on the final pockets of human resistance. (Captain Britain and MI-13 v1 #2)
Dane also was revealed to have a literal stone heart, given to him by Sersi to keep him 'above it all' and uninvolved. (Captain Britain and MI-13 v1 #10)
Journey to Weirdworld
By this point, Whitman had returned to Europe in order to help Euroforce battle Hydra. However, he came apprehended alongside several teammates, remaining imprisoned until the Champions of Europe arrived and freed them. (U.S.Avengers v1 #9)
When the cosmic force known as the Phoenix Force returned to Earth, it staged a contest to determine its next host, and Black Knight was one of many individuals summoned to the White Hot Room for it. The Phoenix empowered the assembled champions and had them fight each other in trials by combat. (Avengers v8 #40)
Curse of the Ebony Blade
He was seen infiltrating a cult and eliminating its members when he was approached by Conan who recruited him as part of Doctor Strange's team that were looking to recover one of the Eyes of Agamotto. This relic was within the hoard of the Asgardian dragon Sadurang with Black Knight agreeing to help to right some evil perpetrated by the monster. (Savage Avengers v1 #14)
Whilst at Castle Garrett, he came to receive a communique from the Avengers and was urged by the spirit of Sir Percy to respond to the summons. This was a call for all heroes to gather and fight against the threat from the Symbiote God Knull who had invaded the Earth. Taking the Ebony Blade, he fought one of the dark god's Symbiote Dragons which he managed to slay over China. This led to him meeting the Chinese superhero Aero where he teamed up with her to fight the Symbiotes. They were later joined by the Sword Master where Dane came to struggle to control the dark urges of the Ebony Blade. Knull came to claim that the sword did not choose its bearers based on their strengths but rather on their weaknesses. He then formed an avatar of himself based on the war god Chiyou until it was destroyed by Whitman using the Ebony Blade. Dane was then informed by Aero that Iron Man had made a summons of all heroes to offer a united front against Knull with the Black Knight joining them. (King in Black: Black Knight v1 #1)
Dane Whitman joined the Avengers in Central Park to repel an invasion of creatures, though he felt sidelined and mocked by his teammates during the skirmish. Following the victory, he returned to his makeshift base in a storage facility to vent his frustrations to the spirit of Sir Percy of Scandia, who reminded him that the Ebony Blade required a flawed wielder. He sought professional therapy to manage his depression and the weight of his cursed legacy, but the session offered little relief from his internal darkness. Meanwhile, a historical artifact collector was murdered by a shadowy group seeking the Ebony Chalice. Dane eventually tracked a magical disturbance to an archaeological site where he confronted a group of undead Vikings and their mysterious leader. During the battle, he was overwhelmed by a powerful foe who used a replica of his own weapon to decapitate him. His lifeless body fell to the ground, only for the Ebony Blade to begin glowing with a dark, resurgent energy as it initiated his restoration. The mysterious assailant that killed Whitman had used the Obsidian Dagger that waas the opposing weapon of the Ebony Blade. Dane's body was brought back to England, where he was unexpectedly resurrected by a blood offering to the enchanted steel by Jackie Chopra; an Arthurian history buff he had brought on as a liaison to better understand his familial history. (Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade v1 #1)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Dane Whitman was a male of Caucasian descent with a youthful face characterized by a strong jawline and short, neatly groomed dark hair. He possessed a lean, athletic physique with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, maintaining the build of a man who engaged in regular physical exertion and rigorous training. While working in his laboratory, he wore professional civilian attire consisting of a light-colored, long-sleeved dress shirt tucked into dark trousers. Upon adopting his heroic mantle, he donned a suit of silver chainmail that covered his torso and limbs, providing a flexible yet protective layer. Over this mail, he wore a sleeveless blue tunic embellished with a prominent white crest of a stylized bird on the chest. His head was protected by a silver winged helmet that featured a T-shaped facial opening, leaving his eyes and mouth visible while shielding his cranium and cheeks. He wore dark, heavy-duty gloves that extended up his forearms and matching cuffed boots that reached his calves. A red utility belt was fastened around his waist to hold his equipment, and a long, flowing red cape was attached to his shoulders, draping down his back and billowing during aerial maneuvers. (Avengers v1 #47) After being empowered by the Phoenix Force, he came to be briefly known as the Phoenix Knight. (Avengers v8 #43)
Dane showed a high degree of intellectual confidence and scientific curiosity. He approached challenges with the mindset of a dedicated researcher, displaying a methodical and analytical temperament when working within his laboratory. This intellectualism manifested as a self-reliant streak, as he trusted his own technological innovations and biological experiments over seeking external assistance. He exhibited a clear sense of pragmatism, focusing on the functional application of his inventions to achieve his goals of redemption. While he was deeply impacted by his uncle's legacy, his demeanor remained controlled and focused, suggesting a disciplined mind capable of compartmentalizing personal grief in favor of complex scientific and tactical pursuits. This mental fortitude allowed him to maintain his composure even when his initial attempts to communicate his noble intentions to others were met with hostility and suspicion. (Avengers v1 #47)
Whitman was a man burdened by a deep sense of familial shame and a desperate drive for atonement. He exhibited a serious and somber temperament, largely fueled by the villainous reputation of his uncle, Nathan Garrett. This led him to be guarded and solitary, as he felt he had to prove his own worthiness and morality through action rather than words. He demonstrated a strong moral compass and a sense of duty, choosing to use his scientific intellect and inherited resources to actively oppose evil rather than remain a passive observer. Despite his internal anxieties about his family's dark legacy, he showed great courage and resolve when facing the Avengers, remaining steadfast in his mission to restore honour to the Black Knight name. His dedication was characterized by a stoic persistence, reflecting a man who felt he was constantly under trial, both by society and by his own conscience. (Avengers v1 #47)
Whitman's uncle was Nathan Garrett though he knew little of him or the fact that Garrett was the villainous Black Knight. (Avengers v1 #48)
In his youth, he became involved with Asim Chopra until she died from terminal cancer. Unknown to Dane, Asim was pregnant with his child and gave birth to their daughter who was named Jackie. (Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade v1 #5)
Powers and abilities
Dane Whitman operated as a skilled physicist and scientific researcher, maintaining a private laboratory equipped with advanced technology designed to track and analyse unusual energy signatures. He demonstrated significant proficiency in mechanical engineering and horse training, having genetically engineered a winged horse named Aragorn through the application of advanced biological serums. (Avengers v1 #47)
In physical combat, he utilised an array of high-tech weaponry and equipment of his own design, including a power lance capable of discharging powerful energy blasts and a specialized suit of protective chainmail. He showed expert horsemanship, navigating aerial combat while mounted and wielding his lance with precision against superhuman opponents. His tactical approach relied heavily on his scientific intellect and his ability to adapt his inventions to meet specific threats, such as the use of heat-seeking capabilities and defensive shielding. He operated with a high degree of athletic agility and hand-to-hand combat skill, allowing him to hold his own against experienced fighters while relying on his technological enhancements to augment his human physical limits. (Avengers v1 #47)
Originally after taking up the mantle of Black Knight, Dane took to wielding his uncles Power Lance as a personal armament. Using it with the same expertise as its original creator did every now and then. (Avengers v1 #47)
Reforging the Starstone, Whitman came to create the Ebony Siege that resembled a black throne. By sitting on it, he was able to peer and even venture into other worlds. It enabled him to gaze into the abyss to discover hidden truths and see past the lies. The Siege also lets those who sit upon it gaze through history with reddened eyes, seeing the past, present, and ever changing future unfold. (Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade v1 #5)
During the Phoenix Force's tournament, Black Knight became empowered by a portion of its power. He came to lose this power after being defeated by Red Widow during the tournament. (Avengers v8 #43)
He was also in possession of a family relic named the Brazier of Truth. Whitman was able to use it after he proved himself worthy of lighting the flame. The Brazier allowed Dane to contact his dead ancestor, Sir Percy of Scandia. (Marvel Super-Heroes v1 #17)
Notes
- The Dane Whitman Black Knight was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema where he made his first appearance in Avengers v1 #47 (December, 1967).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the Dane Whitman Black Knight made a cameo non-speaking appearance in the animated television series in the episode "Come the Conqueror". He was shown as being a hero protecting London from the forces of the time travelling warlord Kang the Conqueror.
Films
- In Eternals, Dane Whitman appeared in the setting of the live-action film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe where he was portrayed by actor Kit Harington.
Video games
- In Marvel Avengers Alliance, Dane Whitman as the Black Knight appeared as a playable character in the setting of the Facebook video game.
Appearances
- Avengers v1: (1967)
- Black Knight v2:
- Avengers Annual v1:
- Avengers World v1:
- Savage Avengers v1: (2020)
- King in Black: Black Knight v1: (2021)
- Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade v1:
External Links
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