| Black Racer | |
|---|---|
.png) The Black Racer as he first appeared on the cover ofNew Gods #3, art by Jack Kirby. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | New Gods #3 (July 1971) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Sgt. William "Willie" Walker |
| Team affiliations | New Gods |
| Notable aliases | Flash |
| Abilities |
|
TheBlack Racer is a character, adeity andavatar ofDeath in theDC Comicsuniverse who often hunts those affiliated with theNew Gods.[1] The character first appears inNew Gods #3 (July 1971) and was created byJack Kirby.[2]
The Black Racer's corporeal form is Sgt.Willie Walker, who was paralyzed during theVietnam War. Walker was contacted by theSource whenDarkseid first brought the war of the gods to Earth, and told it was his responsibility to take on the role.The Racer makes use of what appear to be skis as his means of transport, much like how theSilver Surfer, another Kirby creation, uses a surfboard. New Gods are collected by the Racer at the moment of their deaths, and taken to Hadis (the Fourth World version ofHades).
InCaptain Atom #42, it is stated that the Black Racer represents "death as inevitability", whereasDeath of the Endless represents "death as compassionate release".Nekron, meanwhile, represents "Death as the ultimate opponent". This has been contested byNeil Gaiman, who says that Death of the Endless is the ultimate incarnation of death in theDC Universe.
During theOur Worlds at War crossover, the Black Racer attempts to harvestSteel's soul, butSuperman talks him out of it.[3]Young Justice encounters the Black Racer while he is moving Steel toApokolips and pursues him by initiative ofLobo andSuperboy, even ifRobin disagreed.[4]
InSeven Soldiers:Mister Miracle, the Black Racer has a bet withMetron as to whether Mister Miracle will be successful in saving the New Gods following the destruction ofApokolips andNew Genesis. The Racer's original form makes brief appearances to testShilo Norman's skills. Willie Walker is later killed byInfinity-Man inDeath of the New Gods mini-series.
The Black Racer appears in theFinal Crisis event, where he is present at the death ofOrion and pursuesBarry Allen andWally West. As with the otherNew Gods, his appearance has been redesigned; he now wears a sleeker armor and wieldsscythe-like poles.[5] TheFinal Crisis Sketchbook states thatJ. G. Jones andGrant Morrison designed the Black Racer to resemble a knight.[6]
The Black Racer makes his first appearance after theFlashpoint reboot in theDarkseid War storyline, where theAnti-Monitor fuses him with theFlash and forces him to kill Darkseid.[7][8] The two are later separated, with the Racer killingVolthoom and freeingJessica Cruz from his influence before vanishing.[8]
The Black Racer has the power to phase through solid objects and bring death to those he has chosen with a single touch. He travels through the air by means of two cosmically powered celestial skis, which can accelerate to the speed of light. His ski poles can also phase through solid matter to deliver the Black Racer's death touch. As a deity, he is also immortal, and wears a cosmic armor that give him super strength and endurance.
Black Racer makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in theSuperman: The Animated Series episode "Apokolips... Now!".
Black Racer appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[10]
