====== Dane Whitman ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
^ **Characteristic** ^ **Details** ^
| **Core Identity** | **Dane Whitman is the heroic Black Knight, a brilliant scientist and master swordsman who wields the cursed Ebony Blade, constantly battling the artifact's corrupting influence while serving as a stalwart member of the [[avengers]] and other heroic teams.** |
| **Full Name** | Dane Whitman |
| **Primary Aliases** | Black Knight, The Pendragon, Eobar Garrington |
| **Creators** | Roy Thomas, John Buscema |
| **First Appearance** | //The Avengers// #47 (December 1967) |
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  * **A Legacy of Heroes and Villains:** Dane Whitman is not the first Black Knight. He inherited the mantle from his villainous uncle, [[black_knight_nathan_garrett|Nathan Garrett]], but his own lineage traces back to the heroic [[sir_percy_of_scandia|Sir Percy of Scandia]], the original Knight of King Arthur's court. This duality of a tainted immediate legacy and a noble ancient one is a core theme of his character.
  * **The Curse of the Blade:** His signature weapon, the [[ebony_blade|Ebony Blade]], is one of the most powerful and dangerous artifacts in the Marvel Universe. Forged by Merlin from a meteorite, it can cut through nearly any substance and absorb energy. However, it carries a potent blood curse that slowly corrupts its wielder, amplifying their negative emotions and driving them to violence. Dane's greatest battle is often against his own sword.
  * **Scientist and Swordsman:** Unlike many magic-based heroes, Dane is a man of science first. He holds a master's degree in physics and is an expert in genetics and mechanical engineering. This unique combination of scientific intellect and mastery of an ancient, mystical weapon makes him a versatile and often underestimated hero.
  * **Comic Veteran vs. MCU Newcomer:** In the comics, Dane Whitman is a long-standing Avenger who has led the team and participated in universe-spanning events for decades. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is a relative newcomer, introduced as a human historian with a mysterious family history, only just on the cusp of discovering his destiny and the [[ebony_blade|Ebony Blade]].
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
Dane Whitman, the modern Black Knight, made his debut in the heart of the Silver Age of Comics. He first appeared in **''The Avengers'' #47**, published in December 1967. The character was created by the legendary writer **Roy Thomas** and acclaimed artist **John Buscema**.
Thomas conceived Dane as a way to redeem the Black Knight legacy. The previous incarnation, Nathan Garrett, was a straightforward villain who had fought [[iron_man|Iron Man]] and the [[avengers|Avengers]]. Thomas, known for his love of comic book history and mythology, saw an opportunity to create a new, heroic character who had to overcome the stain of his predecessor's reputation. This built-in internal conflict—a good man trying to make a villain's identity his own—provided immediate narrative depth. Dane's introduction as a scientist also grounded him, contrasting sharply with the purely mystical or super-powered origins of many of his contemporaries. His journey from a distrusted outsider to a core member and eventual leader of the Avengers became a defining character arc of the 1970s and 80s.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
The origin of Dane Whitman as the Black Knight is a tale of inheritance, redemption, and the acceptance of a dangerous destiny. The specifics of this journey differ significantly between the prime comic continuity and his recent introduction into the MCU.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Dane Whitman was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a brilliant man of science with no knowledge of his family's incredible, centuries-spanning secret. He earned a master's degree in physics and worked as a research scientist. His life changed irrevocably when he was summoned to Garrett Castle, the ancestral home of his estranged uncle, Nathan Garrett.
Dane arrived to find his uncle mortally wounded following a final battle with [[iron_man|Iron Man]]. In his last moments, a repentant Garrett confessed his life of crime as the villainous second Black Knight. He urged Dane to take up the mantle and restore honor to their family's name, revealing the lineage that stretched back to Sir Percy of Scandia, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table. Though skeptical, Dane agreed to his uncle's dying wish.
Exploring the castle, Dane discovered his uncle's workshop, which included advanced weaponry, genetic engineering projects, and the winged horse Aragorn, a product of Garrett's experiments. He began training to master his uncle's weapons and the art of swordsmanship. His first outings as the Black Knight were met with suspicion from heroes like the Avengers, who reasonably assumed he was the same villain they had fought before. He worked tirelessly to prove his heroic intentions, first helping the Avengers against [[magneto|Magneto]] and later infiltrating the [[masters_of_evil|Masters of Evil]]. After earning their trust, he was granted probationary status with the [[avengers|Avengers]].
His true legacy was revealed when he was drawn to the spirit of his ancestor, Sir Percy. It was then that he found the true weapon of the Black Knight: the **[[ebony_blade|Ebony Blade]]**. Unlike his uncle's technological lance, the Ebony Blade was an ancient, mystical sword of immense power. Sir Percy's spirit explained that the sword was forged by Merlin from the Starstone meteorite and enchanted to be indestructible. However, Sir Percy's death at the hands of his nemesis [[mordred_the_evil|Mordred]] had stained the blade with a blood curse. The curse would slowly corrupt anyone who wielded it, driving them towards bloodshed. Accepting this dangerous burden, Dane officially became the one true Black Knight, a hero armed with a weapon that constantly tested his soul.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
Dane Whitman's introduction into the MCU (Earth-199999) is far more subdued and mysterious, serving as a prologue to his heroic future. As seen in the film **''Eternals'' (2021)**, Dane is a history professor working at the Natural History Museum in London, England. He is in a romantic relationship with the Eternal [[sersi|Sersi]], who is living among humans under the guise of a museum curator.
Throughout the film, Dane serves as the human anchor for Sersi. He is kind, intelligent, and completely unaware of the cosmic drama unfolding around him. He is baffled by the appearance of the Deviants and Sersi's true nature, but he remains supportive and trusts her implicitly. He provides a crucial link to the humanity that Sersi is fighting to protect.
Hints of his greater destiny are sprinkled throughout the narrative. When Sersi reveals her powers, Dane confesses that his own family has a "complicated" history, suggesting he has some inkling of a hidden legacy but not the full picture.
The true revelation of his future comes in the film's post-credits scene. Troubled by Sersi's abduction by the Celestial Arishem, Dane decides to explore his family's secrets as a means to potentially help her. He is shown in an old study, opening a long, ornate wooden case. Inside rests the Ebony Blade. The blade itself appears menacing, with dark energy writhing around it, and whispers can be heard emanating from it. As a hesitant Dane reaches for the hilt, an unseen voice asks, "//Sure you're ready for that, Mr. Whitman?//". This voice was later confirmed by the director to be that of **[[blade_eric_brooks|Blade]] (Eric Brooks)**, setting up a future connection between Dane and the supernatural side of the MCU.
In this version, Dane is not yet the Black Knight. He is a man on the precipice of discovery, about to take his first step into a larger world by claiming a powerful and clearly dangerous birthright. His origin is not about redeeming an evil uncle, but about uncovering a hidden, heroic, and cursed lineage to save someone he loves.
===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality =====
The capabilities and personality of Dane Whitman are a unique blend of scientific acumen and ancient warrior tradition, though the balance of these traits is presented differently across the comics and the MCU.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
**//Personality//**
Dane is fundamentally a hero: noble, courageous, and deeply committed to doing the right thing. He is highly intelligent and analytical, often approaching problems from a logical, scientific perspective. However, his life is tinged with a deep-seated melancholy and internal struggle due to the constant influence of the Ebony Blade's curse. He is perpetually on guard against his own darker impulses, making him seem brooding or distant at times. Despite this, he is a loyal friend, a capable leader who has commanded the Avengers, and possesses a dry wit. He is a man caught between two worlds—the rational world of science and the chaotic world of magic—and this internal conflict defines him.
**//Abilities//**
  * **Expert Scientist:** Dane possesses a master's degree in physics and is a genius in multiple fields, particularly genetics, mechanics, and engineering. He has designed and built sophisticated devices and was responsible for creating his first winged steed, Aragorn, through genetic engineering.
  * **Master Swordsman:** Through years of training and experience fighting alongside masters like [[captain_america|Captain America]] and [[taskmaster|Taskmaster]], Dane has become one of the most formidable swordsmen on Earth. His skill is so great that he can hold his own against super-powered beings with swordsmanship alone.
  * **Expert Equestrian:** Dane is an unparalleled horseman, capable of performing complex aerial maneuvers while riding his various winged mounts.
  * **Skilled Tactician and Leader:** His time with the Avengers has honed his strategic abilities. He served as the team's field leader for a significant period in the 1990s, proving to be a competent and respected commander.
  * **Magical Resilience:** Through his bond with the Ebony Blade and other magical encounters, Dane has developed a moderate resistance to magical effects.
  * **The Gann Josin:** For a time, Dane shared a psychic bond with the Eternal Sersi known as the //Gann Josin//. This bond linked their minds and life forces, though it was eventually severed.
**//Equipment//**
  * **The Ebony Blade:** Dane's primary and most iconic weapon.
    * **Composition:** Forged by Merlin from the Starstone, a meteorite of unknown cosmic origin. It is mystically enchanted and virtually indestructible.
    * **Cutting Power:** It can cut through nearly any physical substance, with the known exceptions being other enchanted weapons, Adamantium, and Vibranium under certain conditions.
    * **Magic Deflection & Absorption:** The blade can deflect or absorb most forms of energy and magical attacks, which Dane can then release in blasts.
    * **Summoning:** Dane can summon the blade to him from anywhere, even across dimensions.
    * **The Blood Curse:** The blade's most significant feature. It compels its wielder towards violence and bloodshed. The more blood it spills, the stronger the blade becomes, but the more it corrupts its owner. Recent revelations in //Curse of the Ebony Blade// established that the curse feeds on the wielder's negative emotions and insecurities, making them a "better," more ruthless version of themselves in their own mind.
  * **Strider and Valinor:** Dane has employed several winged horses. His first, **Aragorn**, was a biological creation. Later, he was gifted a mystical winged horse named **Valinor** by the Lady of the Lake. These mounts grant him flight and are loyal companions in battle.
  * **Photon Sword:** During a period when he had lost the Ebony Blade, Dane used a high-tech "Photon Sword" of his own design. It projected a laser-like blade of energy, similar to a lightsaber, and could be set to stun or kill.
  * **Shield of Night and Sword of Light:** Artifacts Dane briefly wielded while serving as the Pendragon, the champion of Avalon. The Shield of Night could absorb energy, and the Sword of Light could project it.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As Dane's journey has only just begun in the MCU, his abilities and equipment are largely undefined, based almost entirely on his brief appearance and the post-credits scene in ''Eternals''.
**//Personality//**
The MCU's Dane Whitman is presented as a grounded, empathetic, and highly intelligent academic. He is patient and understanding, taking the revelation of his girlfriend's true nature and millennium-long existence in stride. He shows courage in his desire to help Sersi, despite being a normal human with no powers. His defining characteristic thus far is his humanity and his role as an observer on the edge of a much larger, more dangerous world.
**//Abilities//**
  * **Expert Historian:** His profession at the Natural History Museum indicates a deep and scholarly knowledge of history, which will likely inform his understanding of his family's lineage and the Ebony Blade. No other superhuman or combat abilities have been demonstrated.
**//Equipment//**
  * **The Ebony Blade:** The only piece of his future arsenal that has been revealed.
    * **Appearance:** The MCU's version of the blade appears ancient and powerful, with a Latin inscription on the hilt: "//Mors Certa//" ("Death is Certain").
    * **The Curse (Visualized):** The curse is given a very tangible, visual representation. Dark, tendril-like energy writhes over the blade's surface, and it seems to whisper to Dane, audibly tempting him. It reacts to his proximity, indicating a sentient or semi-sentient nature. The blade's corrupting influence is presented as an immediate, active threat rather than a slow, creeping corruption as in the comics. Its full capabilities remain to be seen.
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
  * **[[sersi|Sersi]]:** Dane's most significant and complicated relationship. In the comics, their romance was a central plotline of the 90s Avengers. They were bound by the Gann Josin, a deep psychic and emotional link that made them soulmates but also drove Sersi to madness. Dane's love for her led him to follow her into exile in another universe. In the MCU, their relationship is the foundation of his character's introduction, and his desire to save her is the catalyst for him to seek out the Ebony Blade.
  * **[[captain_america|Captain America (Steve Rogers)]]:** As a fellow Avenger, Dane developed a deep respect for Steve Rogers. Captain America was one of the first to look past Dane's family name and trust him as a hero. They share a bond as men who feel somewhat out of time and are defined by their powerful, iconic weapons. Dane learned much about leadership and strategy from serving alongside Cap.
  * **[[hercules|Hercules]]:** Dane's best friend and drinking buddy during their classic tenure on the Avengers. The two warriors formed a close bond, with Hercules' boisterous and joyful personality acting as a perfect foil to Dane's more reserved and brooding nature. They have fought side-by-side in countless battles, from earthly threats to Olympian conflicts.
  * **[[doctor_strange|Doctor Strange]]:** As the Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange has often served as a vital consultant for Dane regarding the magical nature and curse of the Ebony Blade. While not close friends, they are allies bound by a mutual understanding of the supernatural forces that threaten their world. Strange respects Dane's willingness to wield such a dangerous artifact for good.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
  * **[[black_knight_nathan_garrett|Nathan Garrett]]:** Dane's own uncle represents the dark legacy he constantly fights to escape. While Garrett is long dead, his actions as the villainous Black Knight cast a shadow that Dane has spent his entire heroic career trying to overcome. He is less a physical foe and more of an ideological and symbolic one.
  * **[[mordred_the_evil|Mordred the Evil]]:** The ancestral enemy of the Black Knight lineage. The illegitimate son of King Arthur, Mordred was responsible for the death of the original Black Knight, Sir Percy, and his evil spirit has returned multiple times to battle Dane. He seeks to possess the Ebony Blade and corrupt the legacy of Camelot for his own dark purposes.
  * **Proctor (Earth-374):** Perhaps Dane's most personal nemesis, Proctor was the main antagonist of the "Gatherers Saga." He was an alternate-reality version of Dane Whitman from a world where his Sersi had rejected him and driven him mad. Possessing the powers of all the Avengers from his reality, he traveled the multiverse slaughtering every Sersi he could find. The conflict forced Dane to confront the darkest possible version of himself.
==== Affiliations ====
  * **[[avengers|The Avengers]]:** Dane's primary and most defining team affiliation. He has been a member for multiple eras, serving as a regular member, a reserve, and even the team's field leader. His scientific knowledge and swordsmanship have made him a valuable and versatile asset.
  * **[[mi13|MI13]]:** During the //Secret Invasion// event and beyond, Dane became a key agent of MI13, the British agency that deals with supernatural and superhuman threats. Alongside [[captain_britain|Captain Britain]] and Pete Wisdom, he helped defend the United Kingdom from a Skrull invasion and other mystical dangers, embracing his role as a magical warrior.
  * **[[defenders|The Defenders]]:** Dane was a member of the Defenders for a brief but memorable period, fighting alongside Doctor Strange, the Hulk, and Namor.
  * **Heroes for Hire:** He briefly joined a new incarnation of the Heroes for Hire, lending his skills to the team founded by Luke Cage and Iron Fist.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
=== The Avengers: The Stone-Statue Saga ===
One of the most bizarre and character-defining arcs for the early Black Knight occurred in //The Avengers// #71 (1969). After being tricked by the Asgardian villainess [[enchantress|The Enchantress]], Dane is turned into a stone statue. His physical body remains petrified at Avengers Mansion, but his spirit is magically transported back in time to the 12th century, during the time of the Crusades. There, his spirit inhabits the body of his ancestor, Eobar Garrington. Living in the past, he fights alongside Richard the Lionheart and battles the evil mutant [[apocalypse|Apocalypse]]'s first Horseman. This storyline was crucial as it disconnected him from the Avengers for a long period but deeply enriched his backstory, connecting him viscerally to his own lineage and establishing his long history of conflict with [[kang_the_conqueror|Kang the Conqueror]], who was also involved in the time-traveling affair.
=== Avengers: The Gatherers Saga ===
Arguably the most important storyline for Dane Whitman's character development, this sprawling epic ran through //The Avengers// in the early 1990s (approx. issues #343-375). During this time, Dane was the field leader of the team and was deeply in love with his teammate Sersi. However, Sersi began suffering from a form of Eternal madness called the //Mahd Wy'ry//, making her unstable and dangerously powerful. The primary antagonist was Proctor, a twisted version of Dane from another reality whose own Sersi had driven him mad. Proctor assembled a team of "Gatherers"—survivors of worlds destroyed by their Sersis—and set out to kill Sersi in every reality. The arc tested Dane's leadership, his love for Sersi, and his own sanity. He was forced to bond with Sersi via the Gann Josin to stabilize her, and ultimately had to battle a version of himself who represented all his darkest fears. The saga ended with Dane and Sersi leaving Earth-616 to explore another universe, concluding a defining chapter of his life.
=== Captain Britain and MI13 ===
After years of relative obscurity, Dane Whitman was revitalized in Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk's acclaimed 2008 series, **//Captain Britain and MI13//**. During the //Secret Invasion// event, the Skrull army invaded Earth, targeting England for its magical resources. Dane joined MI13, the British intelligence agency for all things weird and magical. In this series, Dane fully embraced his role as a mystical warrior. He chose to wield the Ebony Blade despite its curse, recognizing it was the only weapon sufficient to repel the invasion. A key moment saw him questioning the blade about its true nature, only for it to reveal it was not inherently evil, but simply imperfect. This series solidified Dane's place in the magical corner of the Marvel Universe and established a strong working relationship with characters like Captain Britain and Faiza Hussain.
=== Curse of the Ebony Blade (2021) ===
This five-issue miniseries by Simon Spurrier and Sergio Dávila provided the most in-depth exploration of the Ebony Blade's curse to date. Following the events of //King in Black//, where Dane played a key role in fighting Knull's forces, the series delves into the psychological toll the sword takes on him. It establishes that the curse doesn't just crave blood; it feeds on the wielder's negative emotions, twisting their perception to justify their most violent impulses. The story introduces a new character, Jacks, a young history student who is revealed to be Dane's long-lost daughter. It also retcons the origin of the blade's curse, linking it to the wielder's inability to let go of their inner darkness. This storyline is essential reading for understanding the modern interpretation of Dane's core conflict.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
  * **Proctor (Earth-374):** The most significant variant of Dane Whitman. Hailing from a world where his relationship with Sersi ended in tragedy, this Dane became a multiversal threat. He was more powerful than the 616-Dane, possessing the combined powers of his world's Avengers and a complete mastery over the Ebony Blade's dark magic. He was the ultimate personification of what Dane could become if he ever fully succumbed to the blade's curse.
  * **Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610):** A version of the Black Knight appears in the Ultimates universe. This version is part of a team sent to confront [[thor|Thor]]. He is depicted with black armor and a more modern, militaristic look, but his role is minor.
  * **Marvel Zombies (Earth-2149):** The zombified version of Dane Whitman is seen among the hordes of undead heroes. He makes a brief appearance during the attack on Doctor Doom's castle, still in his Black Knight armor.
  * **Video Game Adaptations:** Dane Whitman as the Black Knight has appeared as a playable character in several video games, most notably **//LEGO Marvel's Avengers//** and **//Marvel: Avengers Alliance//**. These versions typically focus on his swordsmanship and his connection to the classic Avengers roster.
===== See Also =====
  * [[ebony_blade]]
  * [[sersi]]
  * [[avengers]]
  * [[black_knight_nathan_garrett]]
  * [[sir_percy_of_scandia]]
  * [[captain_britain_and_mi13|MI13]]
  * [[kang_the_conqueror]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((Dane Whitman was not the first heroic Black Knight in Marvel Comics. The original was Sir Percy of Scandia, created by Stan Lee and Joe Maneely in //Black Knight// #1 in 1955, pre-dating the Marvel Universe proper. Roy Thomas later retconned Sir Percy's history to be the ancestor of Dane Whitman, linking the Silver Age hero to the Atlas Era character.))
((In his earliest appearances, Dane's winged horse Aragorn was the result of genetic engineering. Later, after Aragorn was left in the past, Dane was gifted the mystical winged steed Valinor by the Lady of the Lake, solidifying his transition from a science-based hero to one more rooted in magic and Arthurian legend.))
((The inscription on the MCU Ebony Blade, "Mors Certa," is part of a longer Latin phrase: "//Mors Certa, Hora Incerta//," which means "Death is certain, its hour is uncertain." This adds a layer of fatalistic dread to the weapon's introduction.))
((Key Reading List: //The Avengers// (1963) #47-48, #71, #226; //The Avengers// (1963) #343-375 (The Gatherers Saga); //Heroes for Hire// (1997) #1-19; //Captain Britain and MI13// (2008) #1-15; //Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade// (2021) #1-5.))
((In the crossover with Malibu Comics' Ultraverse, Black Knight was briefly exiled to that reality and became the leader of their primary superhero team, Ultraforce.))