Dane Whitman (Earth-616)

Black Knight
Name	Dane Whitman
Current Alias	Black Knight
Aliases	D.W., Eobar Garrington, Gann Josin,, The Pendragon,
Affiliation and Relationships
Affiliation	Euroforce, Avengers (formerly part of Kree delegation during Operation Galactic Storm); formerly MI13, Masters of Evil (as a mole), Excalibur, Heroes for Hire, Knights of Wundagore, UltraForce (in the Ultraverse), Defenders, King Richard's Army, New Avalon
Relatives	Sir Percy of Scandia, Sir Raston, Eobar Garrington, Sir Henry, Sir William (Black Knights of past eras, ancestors, deceased); Lady Rosamund, Edward, Geoffrey (ancestral relations, presumed deceased); Dafydd ap Iowerth, Arthur Pendragon, Mordred the Evil, Morgan le Fay (distant ancestral relations); Nathan Garrett (uncle, deceased);
Marital Status	Single
Physical Characteristics
Gender	Male
Height	6′ (1.83 m)
Weight	190 lbs (86.18 kg)
Eyes	Irises: Brown
Hair	Brown
Origin and Living Status
Origin	Human
Living Status	Alive
Reality	Earth-616
Place of Birth	Gloucester, Massachusetts
Personal Information
Identity	Known to Authorities
Citizenship	American
Occupation	King of New Avalon, knight, adventurer Formerly crime-fighter, scientist, criminal (undercover), crusader, M-13 Agent, Pendragon of Avalon
Education	Master's degree in physics, incomplete doctoral work
Base of Operations	Formerly England, United Kingdom; Slorenia; Castle Garrett, Virginia, USA; Avengers Mansion, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA; New Avalon, Weirdworld, Bermuda Triangle
Creators and Appearances
Creators	Roy Thomas, George Tuska, John Verpoorten
First	Avengers #47 (October, 1967)
First	Avengers #47 (October, 1967)

 As long as the Black Blade blazes darkly in my hand, I must fight on... No matter what the cost! 

—Black Knight

History

Dane Whitman inherited his uncle Nathan Garrett's castle. He was unaware that his uncle had been the villainous Black Knight until finding notes and inventions. Eventually he came upon the Ebony Blade. Passing its test, Sir Percival explained the history of the blade and its curse. Taking the weapon Dane decided to be a hero, joining the Masters of Evil just as his uncle did, but with the intent of infiltrating them from within. This he did to aid the Avengers, but they did not trust him until he later assisted them against Kang the Conqueror.

Crusades

Dane later fought alongside the Defenders against the Enchantress, but was apparently turned to stone by her. The Valkyrie took possession of the Knight's Ebony Blade and his winged horse, Aragorn, and Dr. Strange took custody of his petrified form. The Defenders later attempted to restore him using the Evil Eye of Avalon. They discovered, however, that Whitman's spirit had been transported back in time to the 12th Century where it now inhabited the body of his own ancestor, Eobar Garrington. Whitman declined to return to the present day with the Defenders, and Valkyrie returned his sword to him; Whitman allowed her to keep the horse. Later, however, he was equipped with a new flying horse named Valinor and transported (still in Garrington's body) to the present day by the mage Merlyn, to carry out a special mission. Sent to find the amnesiac hero Captain Britain, Whitman then traveled with him to Otherworld to battle the evil Mordred and his master, the demonic Necromon, and save Camelot (at some point during the course of this quest, both heroes were briefly abducted by the Grandmaster to participate in his 'Contest of Champions'). After this mission was concluded, Whitman was returned to the 12th Century, though he did briefly travel forward again to attend Merlyn's funeral. Back in the past, he protected the mystical island of Avalon from the demonic Fomor, until Garrington's body was eventually destroyed during a battle involving the time-traveling Avengers. Whitman's spirit returned to his original body, which became flesh and blood again.

Avengers

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. Dane participated in the siege on Avengers Mansion by the Masters of Evil (during which he was captured and beaten by Mister Hyde). Despite his injuries, Dane remained with the team after the membership shakeup that followed.

The curse of the Ebony Blade reasserted itself after the Avengers' associate member Marrina went insane and became the enormous Leviathan. Her husband Namor used the Ebony Blade to slay Marrina, reactivating the Knight's curse. Dane began to physically transform into an extension of the blade, his body seizing up until he required an exoskeleton to move it. After the Avengers disbanded, the Black Knight joined Thor in defense of Asgard from the invasion of the Egyptian Death God known as Seth, but his curse finally took hold and the Knight was trapped as an inanimate statue once again.

Returned to his ancestral castle, Dane's statue was tended to by Victoria Bentley. She attempted a spell to restore him to life, but inadvertently summoned the spirit of the original Black Knight, Sir Percy of Scandia, in his place. After a series of adventures, Sir Percy abdicated Dane's body, taking the Ebony Blade's curse with him and restoring Whitman to his own body. Sir Percy had taken a squire named Sean Dolan, who Dane kept as his own.

The Black Knight returned to the Avengers after this, first as a reserve substitute, and later as a full member. The curse of the Ebony Blade became too dangerous, and Dane eventually abandoned it choosing to use a technological weapon instead. He was involved in Operation Galactic Storm, during which he was part of Captain America's team, sent to the Kree Empire. At the end of that mission, Dane was among the Avengers who followed Iron Man to execute the Kree Supreme Intelligence, and was, in fact, the one who struck the mortal blow.

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. The Bloodwraith accidentally killed Victoria during a duel between the Bloodwraith, Dane & Deadpool.

Dane was later in a love triangle with Crystal and Sersi. He renounced his feelings for Crystal as she and her estranged husband Quicksilver attempted to reconcile. He agreed to become Sersi's "Gann Josin", a sort of psychic link between soulmates. After Proctor (an evil alternate version of Dane) was finally defeated, Sersi felt she was too dangerous and must exile herself. Dane went along with her.

Ultraverse

The two eventually ended up in the Ultraverse. Dane became a member of the local heroes known as UltraForce. During a reality-shredding event known as Black September, the Avengers and UltraForce joined forces against Loki and the combined sentient power of the Infinity Gems. In the aftermath, Dane remained in the Ultraverse as the new leader of UltraForce.

After leading UltraForce for several months, Dane had the opportunity to return to Earth-616 after an alien invasion. He took the chance and passed through a portal leading back home.

While Dane was in the body of his ancestor Eobar Garrington during the Crusades, he met the knight Bennet du Paris, who shortly became Exodus. This explained why Dane felt Exodus was somehow familiar when they 'first' met in Genosha sometime earlier.

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.

Not long after his return to Earth, the Lady of the Lake appeared to Dane, telling him he was destined to become Avalon's champion. She presented him with a new armor as well as the Shield of Night and the Sword of Light. While working with Heroes for Hire Dane came across the High Evolutionary's Knights of Wundagore and agreed to train them. It was at this time that Dane acquired one of their "atomic steeds."

Excalibur and Avengers

Dane briefly joined an Excalibur team who helped Captain Britain to become the new monarch of Otherworld. For a time he served sporadically as a member of the Avengers and was present when they disbanded.

Later, Dane had returned to Garrett Castle and converted it into a museum. Dane suddenly switched bodies with the original Black Knight, Sir Percy of Scandia. The investigating new Excalibur team found an ancient scroll in Percival's tomb showing the team as the saviors of Camelot. Traveling back to the era of King Arthur, Whitman met Percy and helped his ancestor, King Arthur, and Merlin defeat the dragons plaguing the kingdom (revealing the "dragons" to be Makluans in the process) and returned to the present. After assisting Excalibur in tracking down Juggernaut in Korea and returning him to the team, Whitman left in search of his real Ebony Blade.

Captain Britain and MI-13

File:Dane Whitman (Earth-616) from Captain Britain and MI-13 Vol 1 1 0001.jpg

Killing a Skrull

Recently returned to England, Whitman appeared to be wielding the original Blade again (actually a fake created by Dracula), using it to slaughter invading Skrulls during the Secret Invasion. Dane also was revealed to have a literal stone heart, given to him by Sersi to keep him "above it all" and uninvolved. During the invasion, Dane made his way through London protecting innocents and in doing so saved the life of civilian doctor Faiza Hussain. Faiza fought alongside Dane against the Skrull army and their champion, Super-Skrull, until Dane was incapacitated and a newly resurrected Captain Britain came to their rescue. While Captain Britain fought Super-Skrull, Faiza attempted to heal a dying Black Knight with her newfound abilities, and Dane - under the belief that he was on his deathbed - dubbed her his steward. Captain Britain was able to defeat the Super Skrull, Faiza healed Dane once magic returned to England and the Skrull Invasion in England came to an end; but not without revealing the new wielder of Excalibur to be Faiza.

Insanity and Euroforce

He slowly started to become insane because of the power of the Ebony Blade. After encountering a fake Savage Steel robbing a bank, he brutally beat the criminal, even costing him an eye and leaving him in a coma. After the Watcher's death and the release of the secrets buried in his eye, his attack on Savage Steel was revealed to Rebecca Stevens, a historian investigating the Blade who he previously met. She told him that the past users of the Blade had all fallen insane and offered help, but he refused. Later, he was recruited to lead the new Euroforce as a "temporal adjustment".

Journey on Weirdworld

Black Knight had fled to Weirdworld after killing Carnivore when losing control over the Ebony Blade as it increased in power. There, he murdered King Zaltin Tar to establish New Avalon and built an army of Amazons, Demon Dogs, Giants, Ice Swarms, Thunder & Lightning Dragons, Tribbitites, and Underwater Apes with the help of Shield and Spear. The army was formed in anticipation of the arrival of the Avengers Unity Division seeking to bring him to justice. When the Avengers Unity Division arrived, they encountered Black Knight and his army, ultimately separating him from the Ebony Blade, so that he could be apprehended. Later, commander Steve Rogers realized that the people of New Avalon relied upon Dane Whitman, and after defending the kingdom from the Fangs of the Serpent, Rebecca Stevens negotiated a compromise whereby Dane would remain in Weirdworld with her.

Secret Empire

When Captain America established a Hydra Empire in the United States of America, Hydra splinter groups started to form all over the world and several superhero teams were gathered to stop Hydra from going any further.

Meanwhile, Dane Whitman returned to Europe to help Euroforce battle Hydra, but he was apprehended alongside several teammates, remaining imprisoned until the Champions of Europe arrived and freed them.

Empyre

Dane answered the call to join the Avengers during the threat of the Empyre led Cotati.

Attributes

Power Grid

Powers

Dane formerly possessed a Gann Josin link to Sersi.

Abilities

• Gifted Scientist: Whitman started out as a scientist, though specializing in physics (having earned a Master's degree in physics), he is proficient in a wide array of advanced sciences and technologies, including genetic and mechanical engineering; and continues to approach things from a scientific perspective more often than not, despite his ties to the world of magic.
• Expert Swordsman: Whitman is an excellent swordsman whose skills have allowed him to best the Swordsman in combat.
  • Magic Immunity: The Sword that Whitman is using is immune to magical powers, granting him an immunity to magic.
• Skilled Martial Artist: He is an excellent fighter, able to hold his own against such highly skilled fighters as Captain America and Wolverine.
• Expert Horseman: He is also an expert horseman.
• Magical Knowledge: Whitman has become somewhat familiar with magic.
• Skilled Tactician & Strategist: He has also demonstrated good leadership skills as leader of both the Avengers and UltraForce. He has strong strategic and tactical skills.

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Dane wears protective armor, apparently of elven design. He also possesses a necklace that can contain his armor, sword, and shield and reappear whenever he says Avalon.

• Brazier of Truth: Magical flame in Garrett Castle.

Weapons

• Dane currently wields the Ebony Blade as it has been gifted back to him by Storm. In addition, he also owns a replica of the Ebony Blade that is stated to be nearly as powerful and just as dangerous.
• He formerly used a Photon Sword and the Sword of Light and the Shield of Night, and for a time (while in the service of Merlyn) carried Excalibur after the temporary destruction of the Ebony Blade.

Transportation

• Dane normally rides the white-winged horse, Strider, a gift from the Lady of the Lake. He formerly rode Valinor, whom he acquired while in the 12th century. While training the Knights of Wundagore, Dane used one of their 'atomic steeds.' His first white-winged horse was Aragorn, whom he gifted to Valkyrie.
• While he used the Ebony Blade, Dane could be summoned to it regardless of location through the use of a ritual.

Notes

• The Black Knight was one of the characters featured in Series A of the Marvel Value Stamps issued in the 1970s.

  

  Marvel Value Stamp #97

• On the 50 state variant covers of U.S.Avengers Vol 1 1, Black Knight was assigned as the Avenger of Ohio.

Trivia

• Bloodwraith is his former Squire, Sean Dolan.
• Dane Whitman was created by Roy Thomas, who was inspired by the original Black Knight.
• Dane's telephone number in England was 01-552-8210.

See Also

• 485 appearance(s) of Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 20 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 59 minor appearance(s) of Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 34 mention(s) of Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 20 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 357 image(s) of Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 17 quotation(s) by or about Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 6 victim(s) killed by Dane Whitman (Earth-616)
• 9 item(s) used/owned by Dane Whitman (Earth-616)

Links and References

• Dane Whitman on Wikipedia.org