Recent comments by Bassam Tariq, who will helm the MCU's Blade film, prove that Marvel has failed Blade in the comics. While the hero is a household name - largely thanks to the Wesley Snipes-starring Blade trilogy - he hasn't truly been given a much-deserved platform in the comic books to shine in his own solo adventures. Even now, as Blade stars in the Avengers, it's as one (currently indisposed) member of a team of tonally diverse heroes. With a solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in pre-production, Marvel has no excuse not to feature Blade as he deserves.
Blade first appeared in 1973's Tomb of Dracula #10 by Gene Colan and Marv Wolfman, and would go on to become Marvel's most iconic monster-hunting hero. But despite his fame as a part-human, part-vampire antihero, Blade has mostly bounced around other heroes' titles, including Ghost Rider, Morbius, and eventually a starring role as part of the Nightstalkers team. Blade's first solo series, the 10-issue Blade the Vampire Hunter, debuted in 1994, with his last solo series, Blade, ending in 2007 with the tongue-in-cheek cover to Blade #12 (below) making it clear the creative team weren't happy to go. None of Blade's solo books would run more than 13 issues, despite being made during the height of his popularity as the Blade trilogy was released from 1998-2004.
Following the announcement Mahershala Ali will play Blade in an upcoming solo film in the MCU, there's been a renewed focus on the hero in the comics. Blade has been a featured member of the Avengers and will star in his own one-shot as part of Marvel's Darkhold crossover later this year. Blade will also co-star in Marvel's Midnight Suns video game. However, it's still surprising Blade hasn't been given his own solo series, despite his origin being ripe for further exploration. Director Bassam Tariq, who will helm the MCU solo film, has admitted on The Playlist Podcast (via Gizmodo) that the lack of Marvel Comics canon will mean the project won't be as tied to comic lore as other properties.
The most telling part of Tariq's comments is when he says, "the reality is there is no Blade canon," and that "...unfortunately, the runs never lasted that long." While Tariq might be excited to be able to play around with Blade without strict canon forcing his hand, the fact he doesn't have deeper comic lore to draw on is an indictment of Marvel's handling of Blade in the comics. After more than four decades after first debuting, Blade should have tons of canon and iconic storylines. Blade was created at a time when it was particularly rare for non-white heroes to be given big platforms for their stories, but it's 2021, and while comic fans can point to a few great Blade stories, they're all cult favorites with shaky continuity from one to the next and generally saddle Blade with a team in a way that heroes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Captain America don't have to put up with.
Marvel Comics needs to introduce a new Blade series now more than ever. Considering the hero will soon appear in the MCU, it's much more likely he'll get a book of his own, but nearly 15 years after his last solo series - and a few years removed from a failed attempt at a comic about Blade's daughter - Blade deserves the spotlight. One-shots and team appearances can keep a character ticking over, but Blade hasn't been given a true chance at mass success in over a decade, and Tariq's comments should be a wake-up call to Marvel that it's kept the Daywalker hidden away in the dark for too long.
Source: The Playlist Podcast (via Gizmodo)