Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade
Writer: Sy Spurrier
Artist: Sergio Davila
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Marvel’s 2021 ‘Eternals’ film was a chore.
Not satisfied with the very difficult challenge of introducing a whole new ensemble of bizarre immortals, it shoe-horned in Dane Whitman, better known as the Black Knight, one of Marvel’s most ridiculous characters.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has made an art-form out of pre-introducing characters before their own larger stories are told in future MCU movies and TV shows. Their collective output can be viewed as one continuous backdoor pilot, forever testing audience engagement to see what sticks.
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Unfortunately for Black Knight fans, Whitman’s appearance in ‘Eternals’ was ham-fisted and unnecessary, a dull and pointless addition that showed nothing of the character’s potential. Kit Harington is a very talented actor, but the dull worst of Jon Snow in Game of Thrones has clearly shown that he can’t save low quality material.
A cursory consideration of recent cinematic duds like ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ (2017), ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ (2017), and ‘The Green Knight’ (2021) shows that Arthurian legends are difficult material to translate into a two hour movie that audiences will find engaging and substantial. With this in mind, the Black Knight seems like a poor choice for Marvel’s overwhelmingly integrated cinematic universe, where every story is hampered by the aftermath of the twenty six that came before it.
This is a huge loss for fans of Dane Whitman, the silly sometimes-Avenger who has managed over 500 appearances in Marvel comics, yet only four books as the titular character since 1955. He’s an acquired taste for sure, but a positive addition to a comic universe that revels in the ridiculous.
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‘Curse of the Ebony Blade’ is a superb outing for the Black Knight. The characterisation of Dane Whitman has the depth that the character deserves, and readers are certain to find themselves feeling sorry for him, but also a little perturbed, and very aware of why everyone else in his life finds him a struggle to be around.
He’s inarguably a hero, but one without glory, platitudes, or even respect. He fights altruistically knowing that doing so is likely dooming his own future. ‘Curse of the Ebony Blade’ sees him forced into another seemingly unwinnable fight, right when he’s ready to give up on heroism for his own good. He takes on the challenge, even as it gets progressively harder, battling nobly through his own weaknesses.
‘Ebony Blade’ understands how to make the Black Knight work in a modern setting. Sy Spurrier has done a fantastic job creating a story that has one foot in medieval legend and one foot in the sci-fi technology of the present day, harmoniously balancing the two. It’s also a visual delight, Sergio Davila’s pencils combining with Sean Parson’s inks and Arif Prianto’s colours into something exceptional.
If ‘Eternals’ and its wasted use of Dane Whitman left you unenthusiastic for the future of the MCU, ‘Curse of the Ebony Blade’ will at least restore your faith in the appearance of the Black Knight.
Want more of 2021’s greatest comics? Visit Amazon to purchase the full length ‘Best Comic Books of 2021’ book or eBook. It contains 45 detailed essays reviewing the year's best comic book titles.
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