Written By: Si Spurrier
Art By: Sean Parsons
Colors By: Arif Prianto
Letters By: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art By: Iban Coello, Jesus Aburtov
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 21, 2021

Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade #2 finds Dane Whitman struggling to come to terms with the fact that he’s back from the dead after a very unpleasant beheading. After summoning the spirit of his long-deceased mentor, Sir Percival of Camelot, Dane learns about the origin of the Ebony Blade and realizes the identity of a villain killing experts of Arthurian legend.

Was It Good?

It was almost as good as the first issue. The art is excellent. The backstory of all the history surrounding the Black Knight and the Ebony Blade going back centuries was interesting and engaging. The only part that wasn’t as good was the characterization of Dane Whitman himself.

In the first issue, Dane is portrayed as lonely and pitiful, trying to make the best of a power that’s more curse than gift. Here Dane’s more distracted, impatient, and immature. This version of Dane Whitman may be solidly in line with his character but it’s a slight departure and a less sympathetic character compared to the first issue.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Dane is trying to collect himself back at Garrett Castle after being resurrected by the Ebony Blade. Despite his best efforts, he loses it just a tad and decides he needs to consult an expert, the spirit of Sir Percy.

Jacks, still at the castle since the resurrection, decides she’s had enough of the unexplained for one day and goes back to her university to consult with one of her professors. A mysterious figure, covered in biker gear and helmet, is ahead of Jacks and finds the professor’s dead body, killed by blood magic. In a flashback, we see a hooded figure is killing experts on Arthurian legend and collecting their blood for some mystical purpose.

Dane summons Sir Percy to get answers about his resurrection. Sir Percy shows him a vision of the Ebony Blade’s origins through Merlin’s magic. The Ebony Blade is not the only weapon forged that day but the only one claimed by Sir Percy. The other objects (a shield, a staff, and a chalice) were cast away into a river of blood. Sir Percy now deduces somebody is looking for the three artifacts and using blood magic to find them.

Suddenly, the biker who found Jack’s professor’s body crashes through Dane’s window on a motorcycle. After a brief tussle, the biker is revealed to be Elsa Bloodstone, and she’s come for Dane because she thinks he’s the killer. Jacks arrives seeking help, and Sir Percy stops the fight once he figures out what’s going on. Mordred is the blood magic killer, and he’s looking for the remaining artifacts.

As you might guess from the shortness of this review, not a lot happens as the majority of the story and action is reserved for the telling of the legends surrounding the Ebony Blade. Throughout, Dane does a little too much disinterested head nodding and checking his phone, but overall, it’s a solid continuation of the arc.

Final Thoughts:

Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade #2 does a solid job following up a strong first issue. The Dane Whitman in issue #2 is a little less interesting but the story fills in tons of legend, lore, and backstory to keep readers engaged.

8/10