Black Talon (comics)

Black Talon
The third Black Talon (left) appears on the cover of She-Hulk #35.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Avengers #152 (Oct 1976)
Created by	Gerry Conway (writer) John Buscema (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Samuel David Barone
Team affiliations	Lethal Legion X-Humed Masters of Evil
Partnerships	Grim Reaper
Abilities	Voodoo magic manipulation that allows him to create and control zombies

The Black Talon is the name of a number of fictional supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Desmond Drew first appeared in Strange Tales (vol. 1) #173 (April 1974) and was created by Gene Colan and Len Wein.

The successor to Drew named Samuel David Barone wore the same costume as the original and was an ally of the Grim Reaper, operating in the New Orleans area. He first appeared in The Avengers #152 (Oct 1976), created by Gerry Conway and John Buscema.

The first Black Talon was Pascal Horta, a painter who lost his hand in an auto accident. Undergoing experimental surgery, he was given the hand of an African-American serial killer, "Strangler Burns", who was put to death. The serial killer blood in his new hand overcame Horta's peaceful nature and drove him to commit murders. Pascal Horta first appeared in Captain America Comics #9, in 1941. He was created by Otto Binder and Jack Kirby.

The second Black Talon is a voodoo priest who can create and control zombies. He wears a costume which resembles a chicken, and has an upside-down cross painted on his chest. He was a millionaire and voodoo witch doctor, and posed as a "living loa" to carry out the plans of his mother, Mama Limbo. He battled and became an enemy of Brother Voodoo. He was later exposed as an impostor, and was beaten to death by his own cultists.