Well, the release of The Avengers is mere months away, and I've decided it's time to cover the team. Every member in the history of the team from Captain America to Stingray. Let's start with a lesser known Avenger, The Black Knight.
Aliases: The Pendragon, Gann Josin, Eobar Garrington
Place of Birth: Gloucester, Massachusetts
First Appearance: Avengers #47
Becomes an Avenger: Avengers #71
Best Moment: Becoming leader of the team during a hiatus from Captain America
Worst Moment: Growing a mullet, wearing a leather jacket and wielding a light saber (blame it on the 90s)
Background: The Black Knight is an interesting Avenger; having taken up the mantle of one of the team’s earliest villains. Part of a long running tradition passed down by his dying uncle, Dane Whitman takes up the name, initially receiving an antagonistic reaction from the Avengers. He eventually proves his worth to the group by spying on the Masters of Evil and becomes a provisionary member.
Later, Whitman learns that his enchanted sword, the Ebony Blade, is cursed. Every time it spills an enemy’s blood, the sword brings him closer to insanity. With the help of skilled sorcerer Dr. Strange, Whitman manages to end the curse and restore himself to his former glory.
After the curse is lifted, he eventually becomes leader of the Avengers, romancing fellow member Sersi and taking a trip through time while battling villains like the X-Men nemesis Apocalypse. Upon returning home to find many of his fellow Avengers dead at the hands of Onslaught, Whitman leaves and has since gone on to join many other teams including Excalibur and MI:13.
Analysis: The Black Knight is an Avenger that I feel has a lot of potential if written well. While there are many other mystical characters in the Marvel Universe, few have a medieval theme. If Thor can work amongst more “realistic” heroes like Iron Man, than surely the Black Knight could as well.
Despite his lack of actual powers, his skill as a swordsman and knowledge of battle have helped the team out in a jam more than once. The Black Knight has also led the team before, something that few Avengers have done successfully.
Willie’s Avenger Rating: 7 out of 10