Blade is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, his first appearance was in the comic book The Tomb of Dracula #10 (July 1973) as a supporting character, but he later went on to star in his own storylines. The character is a dhampir, a human with vampire strengths but none of their weaknesses, who dedicates his life to ridding the world of all vampires. He is known by the nickname 'The Daywalker' due to his unique ability to walk in sunlight.
Blade's origin story reveals that his mother was bitten by a vampire during childbirth, passing along certain enzymes that gave him superhuman abilities. Driven by a personal vendetta, he became a master of martial arts and weaponry, specializing in edged weapons and silver stakes. Over the decades, the character evolved from a supporting player in horror-themed stories into a gritty, leather-clad antihero, often teaming up with other supernatural Marvel characters like Doctor Strange and the Midnight Sons.
The character gained massive mainstream popularity through a successful film franchise starring Wesley Snipes, which began in 1998. The films, in turn, influenced the comic book version, incorporating elements like the iconic black leather trench coat and a more modern, urban aesthetic. Blade remains one of Marvel's most prominent supernatural heroes and is widely credited with helping to pave the way for the broader acceptance of comic book films in Hollywood.
