Warning: spoilers for Avengers #37!
Gods and devils and running amok once again in the Marvel Universe, and only Earth’s Mightiest Heroes can hold them accountable. In the midst of the epic confrontation, one Avenger is granted the power of the Sorcerer Supreme to fight back against the forces that would shift the balance of power in the world, and that hero is none other than Blade. After all, who better to battle against the forces of the Moon God than the Daywalker himself?
Marvel's vampire hunter wasn't a first-round draft pick to become Sorcerer Supreme, just the most qualified of the Avengers to temporarily gain this power. Regardless of the undead vigilante's mystical eligibility, Marvel were right to give Blade the title, because he's been a wasted asset for years, and while fans enjoyed seeing him take Doctor Strange's powers for a spin, Marvel have now created countless opportunities for future stories. Blade may have lost the title by the next issue, but it will always matter that he held it.
Many fans were doubtful when Blade recently joined the Avengers during Jason Aaron's run on the title. Thankfully, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, and Blade has been holding his own among a squad of fan favorites like Thor and Iron Man. Happily, in the recent "Age of Khonshu" storyline involving ancient gods, devils, cultists, mummies and werewolves, Blade is right at home and in a position to bring his expertise to bear.
The ancient moon god Khonshu has been using his agent Moon Knight - aka Marc Spector - to steal powers from heroes such as Dr. Strange, Iron Fist, and Ghost Rider in a maddening campaign against Mephisto. The whole thing comes to a head in Avengers #37 by Jason Aaron & Javier Garrón. After Moon Knight merges with the Phoenix Force and Khonshu is bested by Black Panther and a refuelled Ghost Rider, for one brilliant comic-book moment, Blade wields the full might of the Sorcerer Supreme against an army of mummies and moon priests. Standing side by side with an Iron Fist empowered She-Hulk, the two help end the destructive tide sent forth by Khonshu.
The plain truth of it is, Blade was given the powers of the Sorcerer Supreme because he was there when Black Panther was handing them out. Not a reason deserving of a character like Blade, but any reason to imbue him with unmatched mystical abilities isn’t something to complain about. But what's truly interesting about Blade's short stint in the role is that it permanently bonds him to the title, and that's something which carries a lot of weight in Marvel lore. Dan Slott's recent Fantastic Four storyline "Fourever" saw every past member of the Fantastic Four summoned together, even those who had been on the team for literal hours, the recent Absolute Carnage crossover saw the Klyntar villain track down everyone who'd ever bonded with a symbiote, and 2016's Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme saw Doc team up with select Sorcerers Supreme from before and after his own tenure.
Blade wasn't present in that story, but for the rest of Marvel history, it will always be true that he held the title - a fact which is likely to bring big trouble his way, no matter how little time he actually spent as Earth's magical protector. Was it worth those few moments as Sorcerer Supreme, considering the consequences it could invite? Probably not for Blade, but fans are likely to be happy with the narrative possibilities this seemingly minor moment opens up.