Marvel’s 2022 Timeless one-shot reveals that the MCU’s next major villain, Kang the Conqueror, owns a powerful weapon wielded by an Avenger.
The following contains spoilers for Timeless #1, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Marvel reveals that Kang the Conqueror owns a powerful weapon typically used by Dane Whitman, AKA the Black Knight.
Written by Jed MacKay and illustrated by Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Patch Zircher and Salvador Larroca, 2022’s Timeless one-shot revolves around Kang and sets up the future of the Marvel Universe in 2023. In the special issue, Kang faces off against Marvel newcomer Myrddin and the members of the rival’s Twilight Court. While dueling with the Court’s Bedivere, or the “Engineer,” Kang summons the Ebony Blade, Black Knight’s signature weapon that grants the wielder enhanced strength, defense from magical attacks and the ability to be resurrected if killed, but at the cost of slowly being corrupted and gaining a great bloodlust.
After besting Bedivere with the Ebony Blade, Kang explains that this version of the weapon is from the future, saying, “I found it a thousand years into the future on a dead planet. Its unknown bearer had been driven mad, had butchered every living person on that planet before dying themselves.” Because of the Blade’s potential to drive someone insane, Kang does not use it often, and notes that he only breaks it out for “special occasions.”
Kang the Conqueror and Black Knight in the MCU
The Ebony Blade was created by Stan Lee and Joe Maneely back in 1955, first appearing in Black Knight #1. Whitman was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema over a decade later in 1967, making his debut in Avengers #47. In live-action, both Whitman and the Blade appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Eternals (2021), with Whitman (Kit Harington) debating whether to pick the sword up in the film’s post-credits scene.
Kang the Conqueror will be joining the MCU soon as well. He is portrayed by actor Jonathan Majors in the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is slated to release in theaters on Feb. 17, 2023. Majors has already appeared as a variant of Kang in Disney+’s Loki series, and based on a future Avengers film being titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the villain seems poised to become a major player in the MCU moving forward.
Will Kang the Conqueror Join Marvel’s Avengers Series?
As for Marvel’s comic book universe, Kang is on the hunt for the “Missing Moment” while Whitman is busy time traveling himself with other heroes in Savage Avengers. Both Kang and Myrddin are after the Missing Moment in Timeless #1, and the issue’s final page promises readers that “the quest for the Missing Moment continues in 2023 in The Avengers.” Writer Jason Aaron is currently wrapping up his time on Marvel’s Avengers series with the crossover event Avengers Assemble, so whether the “quest” teased is slated for the title after Aaron’s departure or a new Avengers series entirely remains to be seen.
Along with MacKay, Land, Leisten, Zircher and Larroca, Timeless #1 is colored by Frank D’Armata and lettered by VC’s Ariana Maher. Main cover art for the issue is by Kael Ngu, with variant cover artwork contributed to by Alex Maleev, Carmen Carnero, Nolan Woodard, Terry and Rachel Dodson, Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg. Daniel Acuña is credited with designing the Twilight Court. The issue is now on sale from Marvel Comics.
Source: Marvel
