Black Racer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the DC Comics character. For the Marvel Comics character see Black Racer (comics). For the snakes, see Coluber constrictor (North and Central America) and Alsophis ater (Jamaica).
| Black Racer | |
 The Black Racer. Art by Jack Kirby. |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | New Gods vol. 1 #3 (July 1971) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby (writer & artist) |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | William Walker |
| Team affiliations | New Gods |
| Notable aliases | Sergeant Willie Walker |
| Abilities | Flight through space by cosmically charged skis, phases through solid objects, immortality, can deliver death with but a touch, armor aids him in withstanding the rigors of space and staff hands out justice |
The Black Racer is a fictional deity and avatar of death published by DC Comics. he first appeared in New Gods vol. 1 #3 (July 1971), and was created by Jack Kirby.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
The Black Racer's corporeal form is that of the otherwise bedridden Sgt. Willie Walker, who was paralyzed during the Vietnam War. Walker was contacted by the Source when Darkseid first brought the war of the gods to Earth, and told it was his responsibility to take on the role. The Racer makes use of skis as his means of transport, much as Silver Surfer (another Kirby creation) used a surfboard for transportation through space. This similarity is commented on in an issue of Young Justice; when told that "Death is coming...on skis!" Superboy remarks "Skis? What's next, a surfboard?". New Gods are collected by the Racer at the moment of their deaths, and taken to Hadis (the Fourth World version of Hades).
According to Captain Atom #42 the Black Racer represents "death as inevitability", whereas Death of the Endless represents "death as compassionate release". This has been contested by Neil Gaiman, who says that Death of the Endless is the ultimate incarnation of death in the DC Universe.
During the Our Worlds at War crossover, he came to harvest Steel's soul, but Superman talked him out of it. In the Darkseid Vs. Galactus crossover, Silver Surfer talked the Racer from claiming Orion. This was a highly unusual occurrence; the Black Racer is usually implacable.
[edit] Seven Soldiers
In Grant Morrison's miniseries Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle, the Black Racer appears as a wheelchair-bound man (probably not Willie Walker, as he appears Caucasian), following the destruction of Apokolips and New Genesis. He has a bet with Metron as to whether Mister Miracle will be successful in saving the New Gods.
This version of the Black Racer will make an appearance in Final Crisis where he will go up against the Flash.
[edit] Death of the New Gods
Willie Walker was killed in the first issue of the eight-part Death of the New Gods mini-series. He was killed by Infinity-Man who tore his heart out. Serifan of the Forever People was seen exiting the room after his death.
[edit] Final Crisis
The Black Racer makes an appearance in Issue #1, present at the death of Orion. As with the other New Gods, his appearance has been redesigned; he now wears a sleeker armor only faintly resembling his classic appearance (though he still travels on skis). The Final Crisis Sketchbook states that J.G. Jones and Grant Morrison decided to play up the Black Knight aspect of the character in this new design.
[edit] Other versions
- In the Marvel Comics universe, a supervillain named Black Racer is a member of the Serpent Society and is named for the snake.
- It should also be noted that Doorman from the Marvel parody comic Great Lakes Avengers becomes a personification of Death and also flies using skis which is possibly a reference to Black Racer.
- The Black Racer is shown in an alternate future in the JLA storyline Rock of Ages, although little seems changed about him in this alternate timeline.
[edit] External links
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