Dane Whitman inherited the Black Knight identity from his uncle, Nathan Garrett. While Garrett involved himself in criminal activity and even joined the Masters of Evil, Dane opted to act as a hero in an effort to restore the family legacy and quickly became an ally of the Avengers and Defenders. After a stint in the past, fighting in the Crusades, Dane would return to the present and officially join the Avengers, clashing with the modern version of the Masters of Evil.
So, here's every appearance of the Black Knight in order, from his first appearance to that fateful fight with the Masters of Evil. As always, the key stories are spotlighted, so just reading those will be enough to get you into the character. Or you can just read whatever you want, in any order you want!
In future entries, I'll pick up on how Dane Whitman gets involved in a love triangle with Crystal of the Inhumans and Sersi of the Eternals and ends up in the Ultraverse.
MCG Note:
- Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Black Knight stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
- Issue listings in grey: Part of Dane Whitman's chronology, cameo appearances or stories of note that non-essential or no longer considered 'required reading'.
- Chronology: Every appearance the Black Knight from this period is included in chronological order - mapping out his timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
- Spoilers: The synopses may include spoilers, so be warned!
Black Knight #1[1/4] (1955)
First appearance of the original Black Knight (Sir Percy of Scandia).Fantastic Four Annual #25 (1992)
First appearance of the second Black Knight (Sir Raston) during CITIZEN KANG.
Defenders #11 (1973)
Defenders #11 (1973)
First appearance of the Black Knight of the Crusades (Eobar Garrington) during AVENGERS/DEFENDERS WAR.
New Excalibur #10 (2006)
New Excalibur #10 (2006)
Other Black Knights through history first appear, including Sir Henry and Sir William.
Black Panther #3 (2005)
Black Panther #3 (2005)
First appearance of Augustine du Lac, the Black Knight who tried to invade Wakanda on behalf of the Vatican.
Tales to Astonish #52[1/2] (1964)
Tales to Astonish #52[1/2] (1964)
First appearance of Nathan Garrett, the criminal Black Knight.
Uncanny Origins #11 (1997)
The origin of the Black Knight is modernised (or it least is was modern at the time).
First appearance of Dane Whitman; Dane Whitman's attempt to use science bring honour back to his family to make up for his uncle's actions as the Black Knight result in him accidentally bringing Magneto back to Earth; Dane escapes Magneto, gives a horse wings (naming him Aragorn) and dons his uncle's armour, becoming the Black Knight himself; the Black Knight clashes with the Avengers and, once the misunderstanding is over, leads them to Magneto during WHEN MUTANTS CLASH.
Avengers #54-55 (1968)
The Black Knight proves himself a hero when he saves the Avengers from Ultron's Masters of Evil.
Dane Whitman is on the cusp of giving up his career as the new Black Knight when he's visited by the spirit of original Black Knight - Sir Percy of Scandia - who grants him the magical Ebony Blade and sets him against Mordred, le Sabre and Mandrac.
Avengers #60 (1969) / Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes #6 (2005)
The Black Knight attends the Wasp and Yellowjacket's wedding.
Doctor Strange #178 (1969)
Avengers #61-62 (1969)
The Black Knight assists Doctor Strange against Tiboro, then aids Strange and the Avengers against Ymir and Surtur during FIRE AND ICE.
Avengers #70-71 (1969)
When the Black Knight unwittingly interferes in Kang the Conqueror's wager with the Grandmaster, he makes it up to to the Avengers by saving them from the treacherous Kang; Black Knight accepts the offer to join the Avengers during ENDGAME.
Avengers #84-85 (1971)
The Enchantress manipulates the Black Knight into siding with her and Arkon against the Avengers; the Knight breaks free of her spell, but loses the Ebony Blade in the battle; the Black Knight returns to England.
Every hero who's been a member of the Avengers come to the Black Knight for help when Ares gains the Ebony Blade; the Knight helps the Avengers defeat Ares and reclaims the Blade.
Defenders #4 (1973)
The Black Knight is manipulated by the Enchantress again, clashing with the Defenders and being turned to stone when he rebels against her.
Defenders #8[2/2] (1973)
Defenders #11 (1973)
The Defenders look for a way to turn the Black Knight back to human form, only to be tricked into fighting the Avengers by Loki and Dormammu; the Defenders are sent back in time to the 12th Century where the Black Knight's soul is inhabiting the body of hs ancestor, Eobar Garrington; after defeating Mordred, the Defenders return to the present while the Black Knight stays behind to fight in the Crusades.
Marvel Fanfare #52[1/2]-54[1/2] (1990)
While fighting in the Crusades, the Black Knight clashes with Al-Adil.
Black Knight: Exodus #1(pp.1-37) (1996)
The Black Knight's consciousness is joined by that of his future self in Eobar Garrington's body; on a mission with his best friend, Bennett du Paris, the Black Knight encounters Sersi and Apocalypse; Apocalypse unlocks Bennet's full mutant potential, transforming him into Exodus who rebels against him, sacrificing himself to save his friends; Dane Whitman's future consciousness returns to its own time.
Cable #30 (1996)
Despite warnings from his friends, Dane Whitman visits the tomb holding Exodus' body.
Black Knight: Exodus #1(pp.38-39) (1996)
Dane promises to save Exodus from Apocalypse in the future.
Avengers #225-226 (1982)
The Avengers are transported to the 12th Century where they fight the demonic Fomorians alongside the Black Knight; the Knight returns to the present, restored to his original body.
Hulk Comic #1[2/5], 3[2/6], 4[2/7], 5[2/7], 6[2/6]-13[2/6] (Marvel UK, 1979)
Mordred and his minions pursue the Black Knight in the present day; the Black Knight allies himself with Captain Britain.
Contest of Champions #1 (1982)
The Black Knight is among the heroes considered by the Grandmaster and Death to take part in their Contest of Champions.
Hulk Comic #14[1/7]-19[1/7] (Marvel UK, 1979)
The Black Knight and Captain Britain battle Groglin and Cormac on Otherworld with their ally, King Vortigen; the Black Knight returns to Earth and is granted the sword Excalibur by the Lady of the Lake.
Hulk Comic #21[2/6]-23[2/6] (Marvel UK, 1979)
The Black Knight arrives back on Otherworld and destroys the Doomwraiths with Excalibur, but is too late to save Captain Britain from death at the hands of the White Rider; the Knight begins a journey to Merlyn with Captain Britain's corpse, fighting the Nethergod Mandrac on the way; Merlyn joins the conflict with Mandrac.
Hulk Comic #25[2/6]-30[2/6] (Marvel UK, 1979)
The Black Knight fends off Wood Trolls while Merlyn resurrects Captain Britain, though he's too late to stop Mordred from setting fire to Merlyn's unconscious body; Merlyn saves himself and returns Excalibur to the Black Knight who battles Mordred, using the sword to deflect the villain's own spell back at him, ageing him rapidly.
Hulk Comic #42[2/6]-46[2/6] (Marvel UK, 1979-1980)
Incredible Hulk Weekly #47[2/6]-55[2/6] (Marvel UK, 1980)
Merlyn reveals the greater threat of Necromon to the Black Knight and the resurrected Captain Britain; King Vortigen rejoins them on their quest for King Arthur's corpse; the Black Knight gains a powerful jewel when he slays the dragon Ashtoroth; the Black Knight battles the creature Gargantua while the jewel continues to try to corrupt him; the Black Knight, Captain Britain, Merlyn, Roma and Moondog fight to defend Camelot from Necronom's forces.
Hulk Comic #57[2/6]-63[2/6] (Marvel UK, 1980)
While Camelot is under siege from Necronom, the Black Knight and Captain Britain continue the quest for King Arthur's tomb, meeting an Elf called Jackdaw, clashing with the dragon Kharad Dur and destroying the stone giants who protect the lost tomb; King Arthur is resurrected and the Black Knight returns Excalibur to him; Captain Britain and Jackdaw are sent back to Earth while the Black Knight returns to Camelot with King Arthur; the Black Knight regains the Ebony Blade; Moondog dies in the final conflict as Necronom destroys Camelot before he's defeated; King Vortigen announces plans to restore Camelot while the Black Knight returns to Earth.
Doctor Strange comes to England to free the Black Knight from madness induced by the Ebony Blade, purging the curse from it and freeing Sir Percy of Scandia's soul; the Black Knight goes on a cruise with Doctor Strange to work on getting back into shape enough to rejoin the Avengers; the Knight assists Strange against Umar.
Rom #65 (1985)
The Black Knight is among the heroes defending Earth from the Dire Wraith invasion during WRAITH WAR.
Avengers #252-254 (1985)
The Black Knight returns to Avengers Mansion where he's taken captive by the Vision who's gone insane and plans to take over the world's computers as part of a plan to create peace on Earth by force; alongside the Avengers, the Knight helps convince the Vision to see the error of his ways.
Avengers #255(pp.15-22)-258(pp.1-11) (1985)
Amazing Spider-Man #270 (1985)
Avengers #258(pp.11-22) (1985)
Black Knight fully rejoins the Avengers in time to help them fight Terminus in the Savage Land and stop Spider-Man from killing Firelord during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Mighty World of Marvel #13[1/2] (Marvel UK, 1984)
The Black Knight attends Merlyn's funeral during JASPERS' WARP.
Captain America #310 (1985)
Black Knight cameo.
Avengers #259 (1985)
The Avengers and Firelord join forces with the Skrulls against Nebula; the Black Knight starts using the Atomic Steed during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Avengers #260 (1985)
The Avengers' plans to stop Nebula go awry when they Beyonder arrives and tries to join the team during SECRET WARS II / THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Avengers Annual #14 / Fantastic Four Annual #19 (1985)
The Avengers and Fantastic Four get caught up in the middle of a Skrull civil war during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Secret Wars II #5 (1985)
The Avengers come to Boom Boom's aid when she betrays the Beyonder during SECRET WARS II.
Amazing Spider-Man #270 (1985)
Avengers #258(pp.11-22) (1985)
Black Knight fully rejoins the Avengers in time to help them fight Terminus in the Savage Land and stop Spider-Man from killing Firelord during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Mighty World of Marvel #13[1/2] (Marvel UK, 1984)
The Black Knight attends Merlyn's funeral during JASPERS' WARP.
Captain America #310 (1985)
Black Knight cameo.
Avengers #259 (1985)
The Avengers and Firelord join forces with the Skrulls against Nebula; the Black Knight starts using the Atomic Steed during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
The Avengers' plans to stop Nebula go awry when they Beyonder arrives and tries to join the team during SECRET WARS II / THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Avengers Annual #14 / Fantastic Four Annual #19 (1985)
The Avengers and Fantastic Four get caught up in the middle of a Skrull civil war during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Secret Wars II #5 (1985)
The Avengers come to Boom Boom's aid when she betrays the Beyonder during SECRET WARS II.
Avengers #261 (1985)
The Avengers return to Earth to be faced by the Beyonder once again during SECRET WARS II / THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Avengers #262 (1985)
The Black Knight meets Namor the Sub-Mariner when he joins the Avengers.
Avengers #263 (1986)
The Black Knight starts taking a liking to the Wasp and helps recover a mysterious cocoon from Jamaica Bay during THIRD GENESIS.
Captain America #314 (1986)
Black Knight cameo during ASYLUM.
Avengers #262 (1985)
The Black Knight meets Namor the Sub-Mariner when he joins the Avengers.
Avengers #263 (1986)
The Black Knight starts taking a liking to the Wasp and helps recover a mysterious cocoon from Jamaica Bay during THIRD GENESIS.
Captain America #314 (1986)
Black Knight cameo during ASYLUM.
Avengers #264 (1986)
The Black Knight helps the Wasp learn about the changes in her powers, which she puts to good use against the new Yellowjacket.
Secret Wars II #8 (1986)
The Avengers pursue an increasingly angry Beyonder during SECRET WARS II.
Avengers #265 (1986)
The Black Knight builds a device that allows the Avengers to hunt down the Beyonder during SECRET WARS II.
Secret Wars II #9 (1986)
The Avengers are among the heroes who have the final confrontation with the Beyonder during SECRET WARS II.
The Black Knight is injured as the Earth reels from the battle with the Beyonder during SECRET WARS II.
Marvels: Eye of the Camera #4 (2009)
Phil Sheldon reports on the Avengers' actions in the aftermath of the battle with the Beyonder.
New Mutants #40 (1986)
The Avengers attempt to apprehend Magneto.
The Avengers find themselves in the middle of a war between Kang and Immortus.
Avengers #270(pp.1-20) (1986)
Crowds gather outside Avengers Mansion, demanding the Sub-Mariner be kicked off the team during ASSAULT ON ATLANTIS.
Incredible Hulk #320-323 (1986)
The Avengers capture the Hulk after he's physically separated from Bruce Banner.
Avengers #271 (1986)
Avengers #272 / Alpha Flight #39 (1986)
The Sub-Mariner leaves the Avengers; the Black Knight helps the Wasp and Paladin against Yellowjacket, Grey Gargoyle and Screaming Mimi; the Avengers help the Sub-Mariner against Attuma during ASSAULT ON ATLANTIS.
Avengers Annual #15 (1986)
West Coast Avengers Annual #1 (1986)
A former member of the Avengers betrays both teams, pitting them against Freedom Force and the Zodiac during SINS OF THE PAST.
Power Pack #28 (1987)
Power Pack break into Avengers Mansion to check on Franklin Richards, only to set off the alarms and find themselves faced with Hercules and the Black Knight.
Captain America #323 (1986)
Black Knight cameo.
Avengers #273-277 (1986-1987)
The Black Knight is badly beaten when the new Masters of Evil successfully force their way into Avengers Mansion during UNDER SIEGE.
The Black Knight's reading order will continue:
- 1987-1992: The Gathering
Avengers Epic Collection vol.3: Masters of Evil
Avengers Omnibus vol.2
Include Avengers #47-48, 54-55.
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers vol.5
Includes Avengers #47-48.
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers vol.6
Includes Avengers #54-55.
Avengers Epic Collection vol.4: Behold... the Vision
Avengers Omnibus vol.3
Include Avengers #70-71 and Marvel Super-Heroes #17.
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers vol.7
Includes Marvel Super-Heroes #17.
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers vol.8
Includes Avengers #70-71.
Avengers Omnibus vol.4
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers vol.10
Marvel Visionaries: Roy Thomas
Include Avengers #100.
Doctor Strange: Into the Dark Dimension
Includes Doctor Strange #68-69.
Avengers: Absolute Vision vol.2
Includes Avengers #252-254.
Includes Avengers #252-254.
Avengers: The Legacy of Thanos
Includes Avengers #255-261, Avengers Annual #14 and Fantastic Four Annual #19.
Avengers vs the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four by John Byrne Omnibus vol.2
Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne vol.7
Secret Invasion Rise of the Skrulls
Include Avengers Annual #14 and Fantastic Four Annual #19.
Secret Wars II Omnibus
Secret Wars: Battleworld Box Set Slipcase
Includes Avengers #260, 265 and Secret Wars II #5, 8-9.
New Mutants Classics vol.5
Includes New Mutants #40.
Avengers Epic Collection vol.16: Under Siege
Includes Alpha Flight #39, Avengers #264-277, Avengers Annual #15 and West Coast Avengers Annual #1.
Avengers: The Once and Future Kang
Includes Avengers #262-269, Avengers Annual #15 and West Coast Avengers Annual #1.
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Box Set Slipcase
Avengers: Under Siege
Includes Avengers #270-277.
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