Blackheart

Creation

Blackheart was created as character in the twelve part mini-series titled Pantheon and was part of its main superhero team the Freedom Machine. He was created by Bill Willingham and Mike Leeke and was introduced in Pantheon's first printed by Lone Star Press in 2007.

History

The mysterious vigilante by the name of Blackheart has a reputation of a merciless watchman of his city of Philadelphia. His origins are lost in streetlore and he has allowed his actions to instill fear in those criminals foolish enough to attempt crimes in his city's boundaries. His brand comes from a ring topped with the shape of a heart and he uses this to mark those criminals who are caught in his territory. Once branded the seared skin cannot be covered, removed, or new skin grafted over it. It is permanent and burned in deep marking the criminal as Blackheart's, given one chance for mercy. After that if the criminal returns only justice is dealt out in Blackheart's fashion.

At one time earlier in his career Blackheart was a member of the supergroup of adventurers called the Freedom Machine. While being a part of the team he fought alongside them in several adventures for years. However somewhere along the line his beliefs in fighting criminal activities and assisting in more global dangers came into conflict with one and the other. Seeing himself going away from his true desires to stay within his own city's boarders and protect the common man from mundane human concerns he left the Freedom Machine.

Blackheart also has a young teenager sidekick, who is dubbed Valentine. Apparently there have been other Valentines in the past during his career and nothing is known about the reasons these teens have fought alongside of Blackheart. His treatment of the current Valentine is not that of a "big-brother" by any means, having a tough as nails attitude with the youth. Even having him go buy him cigarettes after defeating a criminal during an night outing.

Abilities and Equipment

Blackheart is a highly trained hand-to-hand combatant, acrobat, and tactician. His physical attributes are honed to the peak of a human male of his age. The costume he wears is made of a very tough material that protects him from most conventional weaponry. Blackheart has a sophisticated awry of weapons at fortress and can utilizes those at the ready when needed. He also uses a "gateway" (teleportation) device to get around. Blackhearts signat ring topped with the shape of a heart and he uses this to mark those criminals who are caught in his territory. Once branded the seared skin cannot be covered, removed, or new skin grafted over it. It is permanent and burned in deep marking.