Crusader (Marvel Comics)

Crusader
Crusader. Art by Leinil Yu.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Thor #330 (Apr 1983)
Created by	Alan Zelenetz Bob Hall
In-story information
Alter ego	Arthur Charles Blackwood
Abilities	Master swordsman and jouster Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, dexterity, reflexes/reactions and resistance to injury Wears mystical body armor Use of mystical sword and shield

Crusader
Crusader in his human form. Art by Harvey Tolibao.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Team-Up vol. 3 #23 (Aug. 2006)
Created by	Robert Kirkman Andy Kuhn
In-story information
Alter ego	Z'Reg
Species	Skrull
Team affiliations	The Initiative
Notable aliases	Aubrey Thompson
Abilities	Shapeshifting Reality manipulation via cosmic powered ring

Crusader is the name of multiple fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Two have made significant appearances and other are minor characters or aliases.

The first Crusader first appeared in Thor #330 (April, 1983). He was created by writer Alan Zelenetz and penciller Bob Hall. The second is a Skrull superhero created by Robert Kirkman.

Arthur Blackwood was born in Decatur, Illinois. He was a seminary student in Chicago, who believed that the church should become more active in fighting paganism and godlessness in modern society. Dismissed from the seminary for getting into an altercation with a superior, Blackwood visited his family crypt to meditate on his life. There he had a religious vision of all of his ancestors who devoted their lives to serving God. In this vision he met the spirit of one of his ancestors who served in the Crusades. This spirit seemingly bequeathed to him the combined power of all his ancestors and dubbed him knight. When Blackwood awoke from this vision, he discovered that a sword, shield, and knight's had inexplicably materialized nearby. Blackwood decided to take up the sword and use his newfound power to destroy all pagans and infidels. As his first target, he chose the thunder god Thor, whose claims of godhood seemed blasphemous to him.

Calling himself the Crusader, Blackwood attacked Thor at a public assembly. Somehow the strength of his faith granted him sufficient power not only to hold his own in pitched battle with the Asgardian, but also to inflict upon Thor a seemingly mortal wound. When Thor reappeared a short time later, his wound fully healed by the power of Odin, the Crusader's belief in his own infallibility was shaken. The Crusader was unable to comprehend how a supposed agent of the devil like Thor could be superior to him, a self-styled messenger of the Lord. When Thor shattered his sword, the Crusader fled, filled with doubts about the righteousness of his cause.