| Nathan Garrett Black Knight | |
|---|---|
 Nathan Garrett, the villainous Black Knight, battlesIron Man inTales of Suspense #73 (Jan. 1966). Cover art byGene Colan. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Tales to Astonish #52 (Feb. 1964)[1] |
| Created by | Stan Lee Dick Ayers |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Masters of Evil Legion of the Unliving |
| Abilities |
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Nathan Garrett is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. He operated as the criminalBlack Knight as a descendant of theoriginal Black Knight, and was created by writer-editorStan Lee and artist and co-plotterDick Ayers.
Professor Nathan Garrett debuted as the modern-day supervillain Black Knight inTales to Astonish #52 (Feb. 1964).[2] This villainous Black Knight appeared inThe Avengers #6, 14-15 (July 1964, March–April 1965), and in the "Iron Man" feature inTales of Suspense #73 (Jan. 1966), in which he was mortally wounded.
Professor Nathan Garrett is the distant direct descendant ofSir Percy, and was born inLondon, England. He becomes a biologist, research scientist, and university professor. He then became the head of an espionage ring, and was captured by the heroGiant-Man. Garrett fled to Europe, where he found Sir Percy's tomb and theEbony Blade. Garrett's evil tendencies make him unworthy of wielding the sword, and he is shunned by Sir Percy's ghost. The embittered Garrett then devises an arsenal of medieval weapons that employ modern technology (including a lance that fired bolts of energy) and genetically engineers and creates awinged horse calledAragorn. Calling himself the "Black Knight", Garrett embarks on a career as a professional criminal to spite his ancestor. He battled Giant-Man again and theWasp but is defeated.[3]
Garrett joins the supervillain team known as theMasters of Evil at the request of master villainBaron Heinrich Zemo as the counterpart to Giant-Man, and spreads Adhesive X over the city. However, with the help of jailed villainPaste-Pot Pete, the Avengers find an antidote and the Teen Brigade apply it to the containers, causing it to free the people. The Black Knight is defeated byThor, asCaptain America had decided to catch the Masters of Evil off guard by the Avengers 'switching' foes.[4] He later attacked Stark Industries' plant to lure the heroIron Man into battle, and was defeated.[5] Alongside the Masters of Evil, he again battled the Avengers and is captured.[6] The Black Knight was among the villains assembled byDoctor Doom to destroy theFantastic Four.[7]
Garrett kidnapsHappy Hogan and falls from his winged horse while trying to kill Iron Man.[8] Mortally wounded, the dying Garrett summons his nephewDane Whitman to their family estate, reveals his secret identity and repents for his life of crime, with Whitman deciding to adopt the Black Knight identity himself.[9]
After his death, Garrett is resurrected byImmortus as a member of theLegion of the Unliving. He battledHank Pym once more, and "dies" again.[10] His horse is found byVictoria Frankenstein, great-granddaughter of Victor Frankenstein (creator ofFrankenstein's Monster) who tried to restore the horse to normal, but instead only mutated further. The horse (now called the Hellhorse) later became the property of the supervillainDreadknight.[11]
Nathan Garrett was a normal man with gifted intelligence. He had a Ph.D. in genetics, was a brilliant biologist specializing in genetic engineering, and was a skilled electrical engineer as well.
Garrett created a power-lance which fired heat beams, electrical charges, and concussive electromagnetic force beams. He also used a rope as a lasso, steel cables as bolas, red-hot spinning metal discs, and electrical energy-drainers which resembled doughnuts. He carried a paralyzer pistol which fired nerve gas that could paralyze or kill an opponent. He wore body armor made of an unknown steel alloy.
He was a skilled equestrian, and rode a winged black horse that he created by genetic engineering.
In theHeroes Reborn universe, created byFranklin Richards, the Black Knight appeared as a member ofLoki's Masters of Evil. He is killed by Doctor Doom when he tries to gain an "audience" with him.[13]
Nathan Garrett appears inThe Avengers: United They Stand #4.[17]
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