Black Knight (Nathan Garrett)

Black Knight
Nathan Garrett, the villainous Black Knight, battles Iron Man in Tales of Suspense vol. 1, #73. Art by Gene Colan.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Tales to Astonish vol. 1, #52 (Feb 1964)
Created by	Stan Lee Dick Ayers
In-story information
Alter ego	Nathan Garrett
Team affiliations	Masters of Evil Legion of the Unliving
Abilities	Genius geneticist Brilliant biologist Skilled electrical engineer and equestrian Gifted intellect Wears body armor Rides a flying horse Use of advanced weaponry

Nathan Garrett, also known as the criminal Black Knight, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was a supervillain and descendant of the original Black Knight, and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Dick Ayers.

Sir Percy's descendant, Professor Nathan Garrett, debuted as the modern-day supervillain Black Knight in Tales to Astonish vol. 1, #52 (Feb. 1964). This villainous Black Knight appeared in The Avengers vol. 1, #6, 14-15 (July 1964, March–April 1965), and in the feature "Iron Man" in Tales of Suspense vol. 1, #73 (Jan. 1966), in which he was mortally wounded.

Professor Nathan Garrett is the distant direct descendant of Sir Percy, and was born in London, England. He becomes a biologist, research scientist, and university professor. He then became the head of an espionage ring, and was captured by the hero Giant-Man. Garrett fled to Europe, where he found Sir Percy's tomb and the Ebony Blade. Garrett's evil tendencies make him unworthy of wielding the sword, and he is shunned by Sir Percy's ghost. An embittered Garrett then devises an arsenal of medieval weapons that employ modern technology (including a lance that fired bolts of energy) and genetically engineers and creates a winged horse called Aragorn. Calling himself the Black Knight, Garrett embarks on a career as a professional criminal to spite his ancestor. He battled Giant-Man again and the Wasp but is defeated.

Garrett joins the supervillain team the Masters of Evil at the request of master villain Baron Zemo, and spread Adhesive X over the city. However, with the help of jailed villain Paste-Pot Pete, the Avengers find an antidote and the Teen Brigade apply it to the containers, causing it to free people. The Black Knight is defeated by Thor, as Captain America had decided to catch the Masters off guard by the Avengers 'switching' foes. He later attacked Stark Industries' plant to lure the hero Iron Man into battle, and was defeated. Alongside the Master of Evil, he again battled the Avengers and is captured. The Black Knight was among the villains assembled by Doctor Doom to destroy the Fantastic Four.