Mordred's introduction into the Marvel Universe predates the “Marvel Age of Comics” itself. He first appeared in Black Knight #1 in May 1955, published by Atlas Comics, Marvel's predecessor. In this initial story, created by the legendary writer Stan Lee and artist Joe Maneely, he was presented as a straightforward villain—a treacherous Saracen knight, “Mordred the Evil,” who murdered the original Black Knight, Sir Percy of Scandia, at the behest of King Arthur's usurping nephew. This version, however, bears little resemblance to the character's modern incarnation. The true Marvel Age version of Mordred was more fully integrated into the lore in The Avengers #1 (September 1963) through a reference, but his modern backstory was significantly fleshed out later. Writers like Roy Thomas and Steve Englehart were instrumental in the 1970s and 80s in weaving Mordred more deeply into Marvel's burgeoning mystical tapestry. They retroactively established his familial connection to Arthur as his son (not nephew) and, most critically, linked his dark powers to the malevolent Elder God, Chthon. This retcon transformed him from a simple medieval traitor into a formidable, ancient magical threat, providing a supernatural explanation for his enduring presence and tying him directly into the lore of characters like the Scarlet Witch and the history of the magical tome known as the darkhold. This evolution cemented his place not just as a Black Knight foe, but as a key player in the grander magical conflicts of the Marvel Universe.
A common question among new and old fans alike is, “What is the true origin of Mordred?” The answer is a tale of forbidden magic, prophecy, and dynastic betrayal that differs significantly between the established comic canon and any potential cinematic adaptation.
Mordred's origin is inextricably linked to the dark machinations that plagued Camelot from its inception. He is the illegitimate son of King Arthur Pendragon and his half-sister, the sorceress Queen Morgause of Orkney. 1) The union was a product of deception; Morgause, sometimes with the aid of Morgan le Fay, used magic to disguise herself and seduce her unknowing brother, Arthur. This incestuous act was not merely for political gain; it was a dark ritual. From birth, Mordred was intended to be a vessel of chaos and a tool to bring down Arthur's reign. He was raised away from Camelot, steeped in hatred for the father who he believed had abandoned him. His natural aptitude for sorcery was nurtured by Morgan le Fay, who taught him the darkest arts, seeing him as the perfect instrument to shatter the idyllic kingdom she despised. As Mordred grew into a powerful knight and sorcerer, he joined the Knights of the Round Table, his true nature hidden behind a facade of loyalty. He was a cunning and charismatic figure, subtly sowing dissent and discord among the court. All the while, his power grew, secretly augmented by a pact with the imprisoned Elder God, Chthon. Mordred became one of Chthon's primary agents on Earth, channeling the deity's chaotic energies. The prophecy of the “last battle” loomed over Arthur's reign, a prophecy Merlin had long warned of. Mordred's betrayal was the catalyst. While Arthur was away on campaign, Mordred seized his chance. He exposed the affair between Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot, shattering the fellowship of the Round Table and plunging the kingdom into civil war. Declaring himself king, he raised an army against his father. The conflict culminated in the bloody Battle of Camlann. Father and son met on the battlefield in a mortal struggle. Arthur, though grievously wounded, managed to run Mordred through with his spear. But with his dying breath, Mordred struck a fatal blow against the king. While Arthur was taken to the mystical isle of avalon by the Lady of the Lake, Mordred's physical body died. However, his spirit, empowered and preserved by Chthon, endured. He became a malevolent astral entity, a ghost of pure malice, bound to the mortal plane and obsessed with destroying every last remnant of his father's legacy for centuries to come.
As of the current phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mordred the Evil has not appeared. The Arthurian elements of the Marvel Universe have only been hinted at, most notably through the introduction of the ebony_blade in the post-credits scene of the 2021 film Eternals. In that scene, Dane Whitman (played by Kit Harington) is about to touch the cursed sword, which is a core artifact from the legacy of Camelot. While Mordred is not present, the existence of the Ebony Blade directly implies the existence of the Black Knight lineage and, by extension, the world of Camelot, King Arthur, and Merlin. This provides a clear and logical pathway for his eventual introduction. Should Mordred be introduced into the MCU, it would likely be as a primary antagonist for a future project centered on Dane Whitman's Black Knight. His origin would likely be streamlined for cinematic storytelling. The core elements—being the illegitimate son of Arthur and the betrayer of Camelot—would almost certainly be retained. His magical nature could be directly tied to established MCU concepts, such as the Dark Dimension (the realm of dormammu) or the dark magic of the Darkhold, which played a central role in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. An MCU adaptation would likely portray him as an ancient, powerful sorcerer whose spirit is either trapped or has a corrupting influence over the Ebony Blade itself, serving as the source of its infamous curse. This would create a compelling personal conflict for Dane Whitman, who would have to battle the very villain his ancestors fought to defeat.
Mordred is a formidable threat, combining the skills of a medieval warrior with the awesome power of a master-level sorcerer. For much of his modern existence, he has operated as a non-corporeal entity, which significantly alters the nature of his abilities.
Mordred is the embodiment of treachery and resentment. He is driven by an all-consuming hatred for his father, Arthur, and the entire legacy of Camelot. He views the throne as his birthright, stolen from him by a hypocritical king. This core bitterness fuels his every action. He is exceptionally cunning, patient, and manipulative, preferring to orchestrate events from the shadows and exploit the emotional weaknesses of his enemies. He sees allies not as partners but as disposable tools in his quest for power and revenge. Despite his immense power, he is ultimately defined by his pettiness and his inability to move past his ancient betrayal.
Since Mordred has not appeared in the MCU, this section is a speculative analysis of his potential role and powers based on the established rules of this universe.
An MCU Mordred would likely be positioned as one of the most powerful magic-users in Earth's history, a dark counterpart to figures like the Ancient One or Merlin.
This approach would make him a compelling and personal villain for the Black Knight, forcing Dane to confront not just a supervillain, but the very source of his family's dark legacy.
Mordred is a treacherous being who rarely forms true alliances, preferring to use others as pawns. His “allies” are almost always temporary and based on mutual, malevolent goals.
This is not a single comic issue but the foundational backstory for Mordred, referenced across dozens of titles. It is the cornerstone of his character. After learning of his true parentage, Mordred conspired with Morgan le Fay to destabilize Arthur's kingdom. His masterstroke was revealing the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere, which fractured the Round Table. With Arthur distracted by the ensuing civil war and pursuing Lancelot to France, Mordred declared himself king and took control of Britain. This forced Arthur's return and led to the fateful Battle of Camlann. The battle was a massacre that effectively ended the age of heroes. In the final duel, Arthur mortally wounded Mordred, but the dying traitor struck his father a fatal blow, ending the dream of Camelot and cementing his own legacy as the ultimate betrayer.
In this classic Bronze Age storyline by writer J. M. DeMatteis, Mordred plays a key role as a purely mystical, disembodied threat. He and Morgan le Fay trap several members of the Avengers, including Captain America and Hawkeye, in the 6th century. Mordred's spirit torments the heroes, using powerful illusions to attack their minds and turn them against one another. The story brilliantly showcases his power as an astral entity, demonstrating that he doesn't need a physical body to be a grave danger to Earth's Mightiest Heroes. It also re-establishes his deep connection to the Black Knight's lineage and his unending quest to destroy the good that Camelot represented.
This four-issue series by writers Roy and Dann Thomas is arguably the definitive modern Mordred story. The spirit of Mordred becomes the primary antagonist for Dane Whitman. He begins to haunt Dane, attempting to possess his body and claim the Ebony Blade for himself. The series delves deep into the psychological toll of the Black Knight legacy, with Mordred representing the ultimate corruption Dane must fight. A key plot point reveals that Mordred's spirit has been battling the spirit of the original Black Knight, Sir Percy, on the astral plane for centuries. The climax sees Dane travel to the past to battle Mordred directly, finally exorcising his spirit from the present day (temporarily) and solidifying his own heroic identity.