WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Eternals, now on Disney+.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe moves into Phase Four, many new heroes and villains have made their on-screen debut. Indeed, the stakes are only getting higher with Marvel Studios’ Eternals. Spanning thousands of years from ancient Mesopotamia to present day, the film introduces its audience to a group of super-powered, long-lived extraterrestrial humanoids sent by the Celestial Arishem to Earth to seemingly protect its people from an invasive species of apex predators known as Deviants.
While Eternals' lore is interesting enough, the possibilities surrounding a supporting character destined for great things have dominated the conversation since the film’s release. No, it’s not Harry Styles as Thanos’ brother Eros. Instead, it's a charming and unassuming human without powers, the sword-swinging comic book Avenger Dane Whitman, also known as Black Knight, played by Game of Thrones alum Kit Harington.
In Eternals, Dane works at the Natural History Museum in London alongside his girlfriend, Sersi, portrayed by Gemma Chan. In the comics, Dane is a member of MI13, a top-secret British Intelligence Agency whose purpose is to protect the United Kingdom from magical, alien and superhuman threats. What makes Dane a worthy hero to join the elite MI13 organization lies in his blood-cursed ancestral sword, the Ebony Blade -- a mythical weapon with strange dark powers. To be sure, this mysterious artifact will undoubtedly become one of the most critical items in the MCU, but why is this legendary weapon so important exactly?
What Is the Ebony Blade's Origin in the MCU's Eternals?
After his conversation about his family’s complicated history is cut off by the Celestial Arishem forcibly taking Sersi off-world, Dane, helpless to save his girlfriend, decides that he must resort to drastic measures to bring her home. Later, in Eternals' second after-credits scene, he opens an old wooden box with the Latin words “Mors mihi lucrum” carved inside, which ominously translates to “Death is my reward.”
As he stares at the ancient black sword, whispers and the sounds of rushing air flood the space. Then, extending his hand out to touch the blade, a dark, almost sentient force dwelling on the weapon's steel appears to reach back. Dane utters the words “I’m sorry, I have to try,” knowing that wielding the sword is the only way he will stand a chance at saving Sersi. Still, before he can remove the weapon from its box, a voice off-screen interrupts him, stating “Sure you’re ready for that, Mr. Whitman?” and the scene abruptly cuts to black. The mysterious voice belongs to Eric Brooks/Blade, a contemporary of Black Knight in the comics who is portrayed by Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali.
Where Did the Ebony Blade Come From in Marvel Comics?
In the comics, the Ebony Blade was created from a Starstone meteorite by famed Arthurian sorcerer Merlin and Dane’s ancestor Sir Percy of Scandia, the first person to take on the mantle of Black Knight. Forged to be a worthy counterpart to Excalibur, the legendary magical sword of King Arthur, the weapon is incredibly deadly and virtually indestructible.
What Are the Ebony Blade's Powers?
The Ebony Blade is a symbiotic divine weapon so powerful that it can cut through nearly any object or known substance in the universe, except for other enchanted weaponry or metals like Adamantium, though this is a contested fact. The star forged sword can destroy worlds, possessing a dark force so tremendous and incomprehensible that mere mortals could not dream of unleashing its true potential. Not only can it absorb energy and transport its user to its location, but the blade can also be summoned by its user like Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. The Ebony Blade can even open pathways through dimensions and is immune to the effects of magic.
Moreover, the sword is so strong that it can send Dane back in time to occupy the body of his ancestor. The Ebony Blade also prevents its wielder from being killed through resurrection, but there is a catch. They must be holding the weapon when they die and be a member of King Arthur's bloodline. Furthermore, without a doubt, the most haunting quality this weapon has is the power it claims over its wielder.
What Is the Ebony Blade's Curse?
The mystical and cursed Ebony Blade corrupts anyone who carries the weapon into battle. Slowly, its wielder will be infected by its darkness, growing increasingly bloodthirsty and more violent over time. By amplifying and drawing out the repressed negative emotions of those who use it, the Ebony Blade pushes its wielder to the edge of their sanity. The more blood its user spills, the stronger the sword and its owner become, but at the high cost of the user’s humanity because their increased urge to kill to feed the blade will eventually turn them into a Bloodwraith.
Who Has Wielded the Ebony Blade in Marvel Comics?
While multiple heroes and villains have claimed the title of Black Knight in the past, Dane Whitman is the most synonymous with the mantle thus far. In addition to his ancestor, Sir Percy, the Ebony Blade was carried by the Knights Templar for over 600 years, passing through many generations of wielders before Dane finally obtained it. Other Black Knights aside, the Marvel characters who at one point carried the weapon include Black Panther, Morgan Le Fay, Namor, Sersi, Valkyrie and Dane’s ex-squire, Sean Dolan.
To see the Ebony Blade's MCU debut, Eternals is now playing in theaters.