History
Darnell Wade was born in Brooklyn and raised in multiple foster homes. Being passed from one home to another, Darnell took comfort in reading about the many superheroes based in New York.[1]
In his mid-20s, while working days at a secondhand clothing store, Darnell began moonlighting as Shade, a drag queen inspired by New York superheroes. With her best friend, Spillin' Tea-yana Taylor, Shade hosted a lip-sync night it Astoria. However, Shade's real ambition was to be the star of a drag queen competition show. Unfortunately, when Tea gets selected as a drag competition contestant, she snubs Shade on national television ending their friendship and leaving Shade with nothin but an apartment with the electricity turned off and a desire to disappear. And at that moment, Shade's mutant powers manifest allowing her control Darkforce energy to teleport herself and others.[1]
Excited by her new powers, Shade agreed to emcee New York's first Mutant Pride Parade.[2] She also helped the X-Men fend off Mister Sinister's mutant-Iceman-golems.[3]
Using his new powers, Darnell went a "shopping spree" with a friend that ended when the police arrived and with Darnell losing his friend while escaping through the Darkforce. Vowing to now only use her powers to bring light and joy into the world, Darnell has rebranded his drag/hero persona as Darkveil.[1]
Darkveil emceed at Java A Go-Go during Iceman's birthday celebration.[1]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
Darkforce Teleportation: Darnell is a mutant with the ability to teleport herself and others through the Darkforce Dimension.[2]
Abilities
Lip-syncing
Trivia
- According to co-creator Sina Grace, Shade was inspired by RuPaul's Drag Race alumni The Vixen, Monét X Change, Dax ExclamationPoint (who frequently cosplays as Storm), and Shea Couleé, the latter of whom was also used as a photo reference for the character.[4]
- Shade is seemingly Marvel's first drag queen superhero.[5]
Links and References
- 4 Appearances of Darnell Wade (Earth-616)
- Minor Appearances of Darnell Wade (Earth-616)
- Media Darnell Wade (Earth-616) was Mentioned in
- 7 Images featuring Darnell Wade (Earth-616)
- Quotations by or about Darnell Wade (Earth-616)
- Character Gallery: Darnell Wade (Earth-616)
Discover and Discuss
- Search this site for: Darkveil · Darnell Wade · Darnell Wade (Earth-616)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Uncanny X-Men: Winters End #1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Iceman Vol 4 #4
- ↑ Iceman Vol 4 #5
- ↑ u/jbs1902 (January 9, 2019). Sina Grace (Marvel writer) confirms that he was inspired by Shea, Monet, The Vixen and Dax! to create Shade, the first drag queen mutant.. Reddit. Retrieved on November 4, 2019.
- ↑ Rosenberg, Adam (January 9, 2019). Marvel's newest mutant is a drag queen and her name is Shade. Mashable. Retrieved on November 4, 2019.
- ↑ Uncanny X-Men: Winters End #1
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