| Black Marvel | |
|---|---|
The Black Marvel's debut Cover art by Alex Schomburg |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Mystic Comics #5 (March 1941) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Dan Lyons |
| Team affiliations | Slingers |
| Abilities | Peak physical abilities, Skilled fighter |
The Black Marvel (Daniel Lyons) is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Stan Lee[1] and artist Al Gabriele,[2] 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.
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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).
He was chosen by a "Black Feet" (sic) native American 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 he 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.[3] The heroes eventually helped release Lyons from his demonic contract, allowing him to die in peace.