Black Talon (comics)

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

Publication history

Desmond Drew first appeared in Strange Tales #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.^[1]

Fictional character biography

Black Talon (Pascal Horta)

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.^[2]

Black Talon (Desmond Drew)

Black Talon
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Strange Tales #173 (April 1974)
Created by	Gene Colan (artist) Len Wein (writer)
In-story information
Alter ego	Desmond Drew
Species	Human
Partnerships	Mama Limbo
Abilities	Voodoo magic manipulation that allows him to create and control zombies

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.^[3] He was later exposed as an impostor, and was beaten to death by his own cultists.^[4]

Black Talon (Samuel Barone)

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
Species	Human
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 third Black Talon is a professional criminal and cult leader, like the original.^[5] He joins the second Lethal Legion, but later leaves the group alongside Man-Ape during a battle with the West Coast Avengers.^[6]

When battling She-Hulk, Black Talon resurrects the mutants Changeling, Scaleface, Living Diamond, and Harry Leland, forming a group known as the X-Humed. He is unable to control all of them at once and Changeling breaks free of Black Talon's control long enough for She-Hulk to defeat him and the X-Humed.^[7]

Black Talon returns in Marvel Zombies 4, having retired from supervillainy and become a cocaine dealer.^[8] He later attacks Times Square, but is killed by the Punisher.^[9]

Black Talon later appears alive and joins the Shadow Council's incarnation of the Masters of Evil.^[10]

Powers and abilities

Both Desmond Drew and Samuel Barone are voodoo cult leaders who gain their powers from the manipulation of the forces of voodoo magic. Each can create and control zombies of their creation, either vocally or telepathically. However, the Black Talon cannot communicate with his zombies telepathically when they are not in his immediate vicinity.

Each Black Talon's costume sports the trappings of various voodoo rituals, with razor-sharp taloned gloves and boots, and a ceremonial dagger.

Other versions

Howard the Duck

A different Black Talon appeared in Howard the Duck under the name Thibodaux Boudreaux.^[11]