Blackheart's first appearance

[Crowley9]

While many here are obviously familiar with Blackheart, his first appearance in Daredevil #270 seems to be much less well known. It was written by Ann Nocenti and illustrated by John Romita Jr and it came out in September 1989. Here is the cover:

The beginning of the story is quite cool, much in the vein of a horror story:

In 1658, on the crown of a gentle hill, Abigail Housman was brutally, irreverently murdered. Her blood soaked the land for many hours before she was found. In those hours, a funneling flock of crows circled the spot like a troubled tornado.

Yes, they were just ordinary birds, but they knew something was horribly amiss.

Over the next centuries, various crimes were committed in this same grassy crown. Children began to avoid the hill, and, if in their play, one chased a ball or kite into the spot, the child would freeze in fear, it's little heart tap-dancing faster and faster until finally dashing away.

The grass on the crown began to deepen in color, to a blue-green, and finally a violet.

Nearby houses could not keep owners, nor tenants, and one by one were left deserted. Had something been created on this spot? Or was it just that humans began to regard the spot as evil, and in doing so endowed it with false power?

But no matter how, something had stirred, had shifted, and it was not good. The ground was soaked in blood, the air with screams, and pain seemed to fill even the plants that grew out of the hill.

Strange plants, twisted with a melancholy beauty-romantic, tragic roses with a thousand thorns for every blossom.

The anguished beauty of the place attracted the young, and restless teenagers began to dare one another into nightly visits into the spot. They held seances, or simply held their lovers in their arms... and eventually more tragedies were added to the hill...

It continues with two such teenagers daring to the crown, the girl scared and the guy a bit too rough:

Sarah screams.

And as her screams are added to the centuries of screams, some edge is topped, some critical mass is reached...

Something bubbles up, spills over...

And thus we have glorious the birth of...

Daddy dearest shows up soon.

With the upcoming movie in mind, this issue is of interest in that as far as I know this is the only time Blackheart has walked around looking human, if only for a couple of panels.

Reminds me of Gaiman's Sandman as far as the appearance goes.

Well, I hope you've enjoyed this brief trip down memory lane. I wholeheartedly recommend this issue. The beginning is probably the best part, but it stays good later on as well when Daredevil and Spider-Man team up on Blackheart.

 

[BIGGUN]

Thanks for posting that Crowley9....been meaning to get that issue for a long time just to see what BH looked like as a human.
interesting too how the more people see his true form he gets weaker...wonder if that aspect will be in the movie?

 

[Mr Nick]

That's much appreciated, Crowley. I know next to nothing about Blackheart, so it was cool to see his origin.

Is it just me or does his human appearance seem very close to Wes Bentley's appearance in the movie? Even that mean and spooky expression's a close match.

 

[Crowley9]

Awesome thread Crowley!

Do you mind if I duplicate your post on IGR as part of a villian background or something? As always, I'll give credit where credit is due for writing the article and for the pictures. Seems like a great idea since as you said, many people are unfamiliar with Blackheart.

Not at all. Go right ahead.

 

[FlameHead]

Excellent work Crowley. I was wondering what the heck was takin' you so long. hehe.

 

[BIGGUN]

Also for those interested, a site w/ lots more info on BH...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackheart

 

[NDX]

I only have issue 278. Been wanting to purchase these issues for a while now. Can't find them for ****, though.

Issue 278 has one of my all time favorite covers ever. Tried to use it as a base for some illustrations manu times (with poor results, including a failed Ghost Rider/Spiderman fight sketch).

One day I'll get it right, one day...

 

[FlameHead]

I only have issue 278. Been wanting to purchase these issues for a while now. Can't find them for ****, though.

Issue 278 has one of my all time favorite covers ever. Tried to use it as a base for some illustrations manu times (with poor results, including a failed Ghost Rider/Spiderman fight sketch).

One day I'll get it right, one day...

Keep on keepin' on and surely some day you'll be on.

I gotta agree with the cover for 278 too. Just beautiful... if you can describe Blackheart as that.

 

[MarvelWarrior]

How do Spidey and DD beat Blackheart since he's a supernatural being and they are mortals.

 

[Crowley9]

How do Spidey and DD beat Blackheart since he's a supernatural being and they are mortals.

Actually, I'd say they don't. It all boils down to this:

Blackheart picks a fight in a public place, and soon there is a crowd of spectators who all see his true form.

 

[Uncanny Orb]

Hmm I wonder if thats where the idea of Christs Crown came from for the 2 Hearts of Darkness books?