The Black Marvel (Daniel Lyons) is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Al Gabriele, he first appeared in Mystic Comics #5 (March 1941), published by Marvel's 1940s forerunner Timely Comics during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of comic books.

Publication history

The Black Marvel — one of the first creations of future Marvel editor-in-chief and publisher Stan Lee — appeared in the multi-character omnibus title Mystic Comics #5-9 (March 1941 - May 1942). His first-appearance origin story was reprinted in Marvel Super-Heroes #15 (July 1968).

The character also starred in a story in All Winners Comics #1 (Summer 1941), the cover of which was reprinted in Giant-Size Invaders vol. 2, #2 (Dec. 2005).

Fictional character biography

He was chosen by a "Black Feet" (sic) Indian chief (not specifically tied to the real-life Blackfoot tribe) to be a champion of justice, after besting 100 challengers by outrunning a deer, outswimming a salmon upstream, hitting the bullseye while blindfolded and then catching arrows that were fired at him, and then wrestling a bear, finally winning by breaking its neck with his bare hands. He was given a long bow into which he carved a notch whenever he performed a good deed. When he had attained 100 notches, would be judged worthy of having taken the mantle of the Black Marvel.

In later years, Lyons made a Faustian bargain with the demonic being Mephisto that allowed Lyons to obtain four superpowered costumes abandoned by the superhero Spider-Man, and to use them to launch the superhero team the Slingers. The heroes eventually helped release Lyons from his demonic contract, allowing him to die in peace.

Other media

Television

The Black Marvel appeared on Spider-Man: The Animated Series in the five-part episode Six Forgotten Warriors, voiced by Paul Winfield. Here the Black Marvel is Omar Mosely, and a friend and former teacher of Daily Bugle editor "Robbie" Robertson. The Black Marvel and four other superheroes — the Whizzer, Miss America, the Thunderer, and the Destroyer — gained their powers as the result of an attempt during World War Two to recreate the experimental process that empowered Captain America. His employer and friend Dan Lyons had intended to participate until Lyons' father forbade Lyons; Mosely took his place, gaining superhuman strength and wearing a face-covering black hood so that no one would know Mosely was African American during those racially divisive times. Lyons allowed others to believe that he was the hero and Mosely his sidekick, in order to protect Omar's secret identity.

Footnotes

References

• Black Marvel at International Hero
• The Grand Comics Database
• The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators