Blade was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan and first appeared in Tomb of Dracula #10 in 1973. He was introduced as a supporting character in a horror series that featured Dracula as the main villain and a group of vampire hunters as his enemies. Blade’s motivation for fighting vampires was personal: he was born from a mother who was bitten by a vampire named Deacon Frost while giving birth to him, which gave him some of their abilities but also made him immune to their weaknesses.
After the death of his mother, he was raised in a brothel in England by Madame Vanity, a member of a secret society called the Order of Tyrana. Young Eric Brooks was taken in by Jamal Afar, a jazz trumpeter and vampire hunter known as “Jamal the Wise.” Under Jamal’s guidance, Blade honed his combat skills, becoming proficient in various martial arts disciplines and mastering an arsenal of vampire-slaying weaponry. He also received extensive training in vampire lore and supernatural investigations.
Blade’s exposure to the vampire enzymes during his gestation had a unique effect on him. While he possesses many of the strengths and abilities of vampires, he does not suffer from their critical vulnerabilities. Unlike traditional vampires, Blade is not weakened by sunlight and can move about freely during the day. This earned him the moniker “Daywalker” among both allies and enemies.
Blade’s early appearances showed him as a cocky and stylish fighter, wearing a green leather jacket, sunglasses, and a wooden stake holster. He often clashed with Dracula, who killed his mentor Afar and turned him into a vampire. Blade also teamed up with other vampire hunters, such as Quincy Harker, Rachel van Helsing, Frank Drake, and Hannibal King. He also had a brief romance with Glory Anahita, a member of a rival gang of vampire hunters called the Bloodshadows, but she was killed by a vampire named Lamia.
Blade’s comic book history took a turn in the 1990s when writer David S. Goyer and artist Stephen Norrington revamped him. They gave him a darker and more modern look, with a black leather trench coat, body armor, and silver weapons. They also revealed that Blade’s father was Lucas Cross, a member of the Order of Tyrana imprisoned in Latveria by Doctor Doom. Cross had sent his pregnant lover Tara to England to seek refuge from Madame Vanity, but Deacon Frost attacked her on the way. Goyer and Norrington also introduced Blade’s archenemy: Deacon Frost himself, who had become a powerful vampire lord with ambitions to overthrow Dracula and take over the world.
Blade’s comic book history reached new heights in 1998 when he starred in his movie adaptation, played by Wesley Snipes. The movie was a huge success, launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe and spawning two sequels: Blade II (2002) and Blade: Trinity (2004). The movies followed Blade’s quest to stop Deacon Frost and other vampire threats, such as the Reapers, the Bloodpack, and Dracula. The film also introduced new characters to Blade’s mythology, such as Whistler, his mentor and weapons maker; Karen Jenson, his love interest and ally; Abraham Whistler’s daughter Abigail; Hannibal King; and Nightstalkers.
Throughout his comic book history, Blade has formed significant relationships and alliances with other notable Marvel characters. His association with the likes of Spider-Man, the Avengers, and other supernatural heroes has solidified his place within the larger Marvel universe and allowed for compelling crossovers and team-ups. In the 2000s and 2010s, various series and crossovers explored different aspects of his character and world. He joined forces with other supernatural heroes, such as Ghost Rider, Doctor Strange, Moon Knight, Morbius, Werewolf by Night, and Elsa Bloodstone. He also became part of teams like MI-13, Vanguard, Mighty Avengers, and the Midnight Sons. He also faced new challenges and enemies, such as Dracula’s son Xarus; Darius Venginian; Spitfire; Blackout; Lilith; Hydra; Norman Osborn; Shadow Colonel; Boy-Thing; and the Darkhold.
Blade’s comic book history is not over yet. In 2021, he will star in a new series written by Bryan Hill and drawn by Elena Casagrande. The series will explore Blade’s past secrets and future destiny as he confronts new threats from the Vampire Nation. The series will also be preceded by an Infinity Comic series called Blade: First Bite that will revisit Blade’s origin story. And in the future, he will debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Four with a new movie starring Mahershala Ali as the Daywalker.
