Blade is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and penciler Gene Colan, the character first appeared in The Tomb of Dracula #10 in July 1973. Blade is a dhampir, a human with vampire strengths but none of their weaknesses, who dedicates his life to hunting and destroying vampires. His mother was bitten by a vampire during childbirth, passing on enhanced abilities to her son while she perished.
The character was initially a supporting player in The Tomb of Dracula, but his distinctive look—trench coat, sunglasses, and a bandolier of wooden stakes—and his relentless, no-nonsense attitude made him a fan favorite. Over the decades, Blade evolved from a vampire hunter who occasionally teamed up with Dracula's enemies into a solo antihero with his own ongoing series. His origin was later retconned and expanded, deepening his mythology and connecting him to the darker supernatural corners of the Marvel Universe.
Blade's cultural significance skyrocketed beyond the comic book page. He became a trailblazer for Black superheroes in mainstream media, and his 1998 feature film adaptation starring Wesley Snipes is widely credited with helping launch the modern wave of superhero cinema, proving that Marvel properties could be box-office hits before the Marvel Cinematic Universe existed. The character's blend of horror, martial arts action, and street-level grit set him apart from traditional caped heroes.
