The Onyx Knight is a legendary figure in the world of myths and folklore. Known for his extraordinary skills with a sword, he was feared and admired by many. However, the Onyx Knight was cursed with the Pitch Dark Blade, a weapon that possessed immense power but also brought darkness and chaos. The curse of the blade was said to transform the Onyx Knight into a creature of the night, forever bound to the shadows. The curse of the Pitch Dark Blade was believed to have been inflicted upon the Onyx Knight by an ancient sorcerer who sought to control the power of the sword for his own nefarious purposes. In doing so, he condemned the knight to an eternity of darkness and despair.
In doing so, he condemned the knight to an eternity of darkness and despair. Once a noble and honorable warrior, the Onyx Knight now roamed the land, his soul tainted by the cursed blade. Legends spoke of his twisted visage and the madness that consumed him.
‘Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade’ manages to make the title character compelling
Even if you come in thinking Black Knight is a loser, you’ll come out convinced to buy the next volume.
November 3, 2021
I’m a huge Avengers fan — especially the ’70s and ’80s Avengers, before John Byrne took over. I have a fondness for almost every Avengers team of that era, and I hold a lot of love and feelings towards nearly every member of those Avengers teams. This is important context because the reason I said “nearly” is because of a handful of members: Dr. Druid, Starfox, and Black Knight. The first two on that list aren’t relevant here; they’re just characters that were very frustrating to read at the time and have no business being called heroes. Black Knight, on the other hand, is a more unique case.
See, for a while, Black Knight was a good idea. Dane Whitman is a guy with a magical sword that begs him to murder people, but Dane wants to be a hero and not murder anyone. If his blade sheds any blood, Dane is basically possessed by it, making his own means of being a hero his downfall. But this really cool concept never really translated to strong writing or interesting characterization. At one point, they got rid of the Ebony Blade altogether, giving him a lightsaber that made him super uncool. Let me repeat that: Black Knight managed to make a lightsaber boring. So you can understand why I’ve generally not been a fan.
Si Spurrier kicks off Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade reminding everyone that yeah, Black Knight’s a loser. But not just in the way where the audience doesn’t like him — he’s such a loser the Avengers audibly vent their frustration about having to deal with him when he’s working with them. They make it painfully clear that they only see him as someone to destroy magical enemies, and even then only when their first pick is busy. Reading this first issue of Black Knight was cathartic at first, seeing this character I found boring get dragged by the likes of Thor and Black Panther. But by the end, it was just sad. Dane Whitman was a sad man, venting to an app on his phone that refused to give him any real advice, who just wanted to be appreciated by the people he looked up to. And of course, that’s his downfall.
The plot of the book is pretty solid, even if the middle portions are a bit dull. There’s a subversion of Arthurian myth that feels very reminiscent of Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora’s Once and Future, there’s a POV character through whom we see this world of the Black Knight and his history through a new lens, and there’s an Elsa Bloodstone team-up that’s pretty fun if nothing special. Sergio D á vila’s artwork is good if a bit muddled in some of the flashback segments. But all of this is secondary to the highlight of the book: Dane Whitman’s acceptance of his history and legacy and the path he’s given to move forward.
The final issue of the series is reminiscent of the first, with the majority of the plot interwoven with Dane’s confessions to this anonymous app on his phone, but the final issue’s confessions mean something. They’re not the desperate pleas of a pathetic man desperate to have someone love him, they’re the final words of a man who’s made something he’s proud of. It’s beautiful and despite the story getting a bit muddled in the middle (as I mentioned earlier), it’s an incredibly earned moment. It makes the whole story worth it, even before the last five or so pages promise a direction for the future that’s incredibly intriguing.
Black Knight’s not a character who’ll move a lot of sales, and this run obviously exists so that Marvel has something to point to when the Eternals movie releases since he’s going to be played by Kit Harington there. And while this character is likely going to be completely different from whatever the MCU’s version is, Spurrier and D á vila have certainly managed to make him compelling in his own right, and they’ve convinced even a person who thinks Black Knight is a loser that a follow-up volume is a day one purchase.
‘Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade’ manages to make the title character compelling Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony BladeEven if you come in thinking Black Knight is a loser, you'll come out convinced to buy the next volume.
The final issue of the series is reminiscent of the first, with the majority of the plot interwoven with Dane’s confessions to this anonymous app on his phone, but the final issue’s confessions mean something. They’re not the desperate pleas of a pathetic man desperate to have someone love him, they’re the final words of a man who’s made something he’s proud of. It’s beautiful and despite the story getting a bit muddled in the middle (as I mentioned earlier), it’s an incredibly earned moment. It makes the whole story worth it, even before the last five or so pages promise a direction for the future that’s incredibly intriguing.
It was said that anyone who dared to stand in his way would meet a grisly end, their very life force absorbed by the dark power of the Pitch Dark Blade. For centuries, tales of the Onyx Knight and his curse have been passed down through generations. Some view him as a tragic figure, trapped in a never-ending cycle of suffering. Others fear his wrath and go to great lengths to avoid encountering him. The myth of the Onyx Knight serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of greed and the consequences that come with wielding power without restraint. The curse of the Pitch Dark Blade is a reminder that even the greatest heroes can fall victim to their own desires..
Reviews for "The Onyx Knight Curse: A Tale of Redemption"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was really looking forward to reading "Onyx Knight: Curse of the Pitch Dark Blade," but I was left sorely disappointed. The storyline felt disjointed and confusing, with weak character development and a lackluster plot. The writing style was also subpar, filled with clichés and predictable twists. Overall, this book failed to capture my attention and I struggled to finish it.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Onyx Knight: Curse of the Pitch Dark Blade," but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing of the story was way too slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. The dialogue between the characters felt forced and unnatural, and the world-building was lacking depth. Despite some interesting elements, the overall execution left much to be desired.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - While "Onyx Knight: Curse of the Pitch Dark Blade" had potential, it failed to deliver a compelling reading experience for me. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked emotional depth, making it hard to connect with them. The action scenes were poorly described and lacked intensity, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The book had an intriguing premise, but it lacked the execution needed to fully immerse the reader in its world.
4. David - 2 stars - I found "Onyx Knight: Curse of the Pitch Dark Blade" to be a disappointment. The writing style was overly simplistic, and the plot felt unoriginal and predictable. The main character lacked depth and complexity, making it hard to root for their success. Additionally, the pacing was off, with dull moments dragging on while potentially exciting scenes were rushed through. Overall, I struggled to stay engaged with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.