Black Knight
Real Name: Bill
Identity/Class: Uncertain (may be magical human, or ghost possessing human)
Occupation: Adventurer
Affiliations: Unknown
Enemies: Grundy, Limey
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Unknown
First Appearance: Rocket Comics (Maple Leaf Publishing, 1942)
Powers/Abilities: By saying the word Umbra, little Bill turns into the gigantic adult Black Knight, who possesses superhuman strength. It's unclear whether the Black Knight is Bill transformed or if he is a spirit possessing Bill.
History: Young Bill was a boy who had somehow gained the power to transform into an armoured Black Knight by saying a magical word, Umbra. He and an adult companion became stranded on an island, but a passing ship saw their distress beacon and rescued them. However, the ship later ran aground thanks to a murderous wrecker, Grundy. Bill, his friend and the ship's captain were the only survivors. Grundy decided to keep them alive for a short time, planning some cruel sport with them, but while Grundy was overseeing the looting and his fellow prisoners were asleep, Bill transformed into the Black Knight, broke free, and captured the crooks.
Comments: Created by Vim Pearson.
I've only read Little Bill's story in Rocket Comics V.2 #5, by which point he already has his powers. I suspect, given the story mentioning his rescue from being marooned on an island, that his origin may be in the preceding issue.
CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with
Black Knight, Atlas comics character
Black Knight, any of the Marvel successors to the Atlas hero
Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.
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