Warning: contains spoilers for Black Knight: The Curse of the Ebony Blade #1!
The Black Knight is getting an all-new series from Marvel Comics, though sadly one that begins with the Avengers revealing they can't stand him. Dane Whitman is a hero who exists right on the line between science and magic, wielding the cursed and powerful Ebony Blade to smite his foes, while also utilizing advanced technologies, such as cloning winged horses for him to ride into battle. While Black Knight: The Curse of the Ebony Blade #1 will be continuing Whitman's story, it seems as though he'll have a hard time if he wants to rejoin the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
The Black Knight has actually been an Avenger in the past, and has even led the team before. However, Whitman hasn't been on the team for quite some time, as the curse of the Ebony Blade influences Dane, generating a bloodlust he's constantly trying to resist. However, Black Knight's involvement in Marvel's King in Black event revealed that the sword chose Whitman and his ancestors to wield it not because of their purity, but because of their darkness. With this perspective, the Ebony Blade is the opposite of Thor's Mjolnir. Now that Dane knows that using the Ebony Blade effectively doesn't come from resisting the curse but accepting his own darkness, he's able to start better channeling said power into a force for good, as well as potentially unlocking new powers he didn't know he had.
Now, a Marvel Comics preview for Black Knight: The Curse of the Ebony Blade #1 reveals that the Avengers dislike the Black Knight partly due to the arrogant medieval persona he intentionally puts on. In a conversation with what appears to be a digital therapist, he admits he is dealing with a lot of self-esteem issues and self-hate as well, using the bravado of his persona to push through and keep helping people. Enjoy the Marvel Comics preview pages and comic synopsis below:
THE GREATEST KNIGHT OF THEM ALL RIDES AGAIN! Dane Whitman is the BLACK KNIGHT and wielder of the magical EBONY BLADE, but the blade's power comes at a terrible price. Dane forever bears the burden of its curse: an insatiable lust for blood and mayhem that constantly threatens to swallow its owner in darkness. Must that be Dane's fate? Following the battle against the KING IN BLACK, a reinvigorated Dane has a greater sense of purpose than ever before. But his sword is the key to a new enemy's evil plan and only the Black Knight can prevent the coming death and destruction. This conflict spanning mythical Camelot to modern-day NYC will test Dane like never before and challenge everything he believes about himself, the Ebony Blade, and the entire history of the Black Knight! Guest starring the AVENGERS!
While Captain America does his his best to appreciate the Black Knight's help in the battle seen in the preview pages, Thor can't stand him, and Captain Marvel just thinks he's pathetic and sad. Despite the Black Knight intentionally putting on a show to keep the darkness at bay, even Dane hates who he pretends to be. At the same time, the Ebony Blade becomes even more like the anti-Mjolnir when Thor is unable to pick it up due to his worthiness. As The Black Knight reveals, the sword "only lightens in shadow," constantly reminding Dane of the darkness he's trying to keept at bay.
It looks as though Black Knight is ready to evolve and become more than just a medieval caricature on the fringes. With new abilities and powers to unlock and an entire personality and identity to reshape and accept, the Black Knight certainly has his work cut out for him in his new series, but it may just result in him becoming a better hero than he ever was before. He might even regain the Avengers' respect in future issues from Marvel Comics.