Swordsman (comics)
Encyclopedia
Swordsman is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics
universe. His first appearance was in Avengers
Vol.1 #19 (Aug. 1965) and was created by Stan Lee
and Don Heck
. The Swordsman was introduced as an enemy of Hawkeye
and the Avengers. The character has since appeared as both a supervillain and a superhero.
Vol. 19 (1965). He went on to appear in Avengers Vol. 1 #20, 30, 38, 65, 78, 79 (1965–1970). The Swordsman changed his ways and became a superhero in Avengers Vol. 1 #100 (1972) and later became a member of the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #112-130 (1973–1974), Defenders
Vol. 1 #9-11 (1973), Captain Marvel Vol. 1 #32-33 (1974), Fantastic Four
Vol. 1 #150 (1974), Giant-Size Avengers Vol. 1 #2 (1974) and Avengers Spotlight
#22 (1989). Later, the Cotati-possessed Swordsman appeared in Avengers Vol. 1 #134, 135, 157, 160 (1975–1977), Giant-Size Avengers Vol. 1 #4 (1975) and West Coast Avengers
Vol. 2 #39 (1988).
The Swordsman has been a member of various supervillain groups. The character has appeared as a member of the Lethal Legion
in Avengers Vol. 1 #78-79 (1970) and Iron Man
Annual #7 (1984), the Emissaries of Evil
in Alpha Flight
Special Vol. 2 #1 (1992), and the Legion of the Unliving
in Avengers Annual #16 (1987), Avengers West Coast
Vol. 2 #61 (1990) and Avengers Vol. 3 #10-11 (1998).
Introduced as a villainous counterpart to Hawkeye
in the pages of the Avengers, the Swordsman went on to appear in Hawkeye Vol.1 #1 (1983), Solo Avengers
#2 (1988), Hawkeye Vol.3 #3 (2004) and Hawkeye: Blindspot
#1 (2011) as part of Hawkeye's origins. The Swordsman also battled Captain America
in Tales of Suspense
#88 (1967) and Captain America #105 (1968).
The 2010-2011 crossover storyline Chaos War
saw the return of the Swordsman. He was one of the central characters in the tie-in series Chaos War: Dead Avengers (2010–2011). The Swordsman also featured in Chaos War #2 & 4-5 (2010–2011) and Chaos War: Ares
#1 (2010).
Eventually Duquesne, by now in his thirties or older, took a young runaway named Clint Barton
under his wing and taught him how to use bladed weapons, while another performer, Trick Shot
, taught Barton archery, at which he proved to be a master. The young Clint stumbled upon Duquesne stealing money from the carnival's paymaster to pay a gambling debt. Clint attempted to turn his mentor over to the law, but he was pursued by Duquesne and badly beaten. Before Duquesne could deliver the fatal blow, Trick Shot stepped in to save the young boy. Duquesne then fled the carnival and adopted his swordsplay act to become a costumed supervillain.
Years later, the Swordsman attempted to join the Avengers
(whose members included Clint Barton, now known as the superhero Hawkeye
) in order to take advantage of the benefits that go with an Avenger ID. He was refused entry into the team, largely due to Hawkeye's protests and the fact he was wanted in different states, and threatened to kill Captain America after capturing him, but the rest were able to rescue him. After failing the first time around, he was accepted into the Avengers. However, he was secretly an agent of the Mandarin
, who had teleported him to his castle before the Avengers could capture him, and created a pseudo-image of Iron Man
to recommend the Swordsman to the Avengers. The Mandarin also fitted the Swordsman's sword with extra powers, such as firing artificial lightning bolts, though he warned the Swordsman if they were ever pointed at him they would reverse. Soon after joining the Avengers, the Swordsman revealed his true intentions and betrayed the team, planting a bomb on the control panels that could be activated by remote-control. He soon had a change of heart and betrayed the Mandarin to save the Avengers. Despite his heroics, the Swordsman left the ranks of the Avengers, knowing the Mandarin would now be against him.
The Swordsman went back to being a supervillain for hire and battled the Avengers on numerous occasions. Under Black Widow's leadership, the Swordsman teamed with the original Power Man and fought the superhero team, capturing nearly all them members. With Power Man, he fought against Captain America
as agents of the Red Skull
. The Swordsman also participated in the Mandarin's attempt at world conquest, along with other villains. He later battled Captain America again, as a member of Batroc
's Brigade, was employed by Egghead
where he battled Hawkeye (in his Goliath persona). Along with Power Man, the Swordsman joined the supervillain group the Lethal Legion
and battled the Avengers.
Eventually, the Swordsman briefly rejoined the Avengers in a war against Ares
in Olympus
Later, he met with Mantis
, an ally of the Avengers, and then rejoined the Avengers after he secretly fell in love with her. He subsequently participated in the Avengers/Defenders
war.
's quest for the "Celestial Madonna". In order to facilitate his plans, Kang had captured the Avengers present at the time - Vision, Thor, Iron Man, Mantis, The Scarlet Witch, and their guest Agatha Harkness
- but left Swordsman behind because he considered him useless. Humiliated but determined to show Kang his true worth, Swordsman tracked the captive Avengers to Kang's pyramid base in Gizeh, where he encountered Rama-Tut, Kang's chronological alter ego. With his help and the assistance of Hawkeye, who had just returned from a leave of absence, Swordsman managed to free his fellow Avengers. It was later revealed that Mantis was in fact the "Celestial Madonna". After Kang's plans were foiled and he decided not to leave the Madonna to anyone else, the Swordsman sacrificed his life by intercepting Kang's energy blast which was meant for Mantis.
Mantis soon after married the eldest of Earth's alien Cotati
, who had resurrected and possessed the Swordsman's corpse and infused a portion of its own consciousness into it. Mantis and Swordsman went on to have a son together. After battling the Avengers, the Cotati-possessed Swordsman crumbled to dust.
storyline, Swordsman is among the deceased heroes released by Pluto in order to defend the Underworld from Amatsu-Mikaboshi
. Returning to Earth, the Swordsman joins a team of "dead" Avengers, led by Captain Marvel, who take it upon themselves to protect their unconscious teammates from the Grim Reaper
. When the Grim Reaper was defeated and the Chaos War was over, the Swordsman and the surviving "dead" Avengers remained alive.
from Makluan technology. By pressing one of the buttons on the sword's hilt, the Swordsman could project a concussive force beam, a disintegrating ray, a large jet of flame, electrical energy in a form resembling lightning, or a stream of nerve gas that induced temporary unconsciousness. He also carried various throwing knives and daggers as needed.
throughout the multiverse. Proctor and the Gatherers travelled to the mainstream Marvel Universe
(Earth-616) to kill its version of Sersi. The Swordsman, along with fellow Gatherers member Magdalene
, turned against Proctor and briefly joined the mainstream version of the Avengers. Some years later, they would team with the Avengers and the Squadron Supreme
and leave Earth-616 for parts unknown.
" world, which was created by Franklin Richards
. He and his world were created after the Avengers "died" battling Onslaught
. This version is the Heroes Reborn counterpart of Deadpool.
reality, the Swordsman was a member of Shang-Chi
's Dragons criminal organization, alongside Colleen Wing
, Mantis
, Zaran
and Machete
. He was killed by Bullseye when the Dragons are ambushed by the Kingpin's assassins.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe. His first appearance was in Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
Vol.1 #19 (Aug. 1965) and was created by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Don Heck
Don Heck
Don Heck was an American comic book artist best known for co-creating the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, and for his long run penciling the Marvel superhero-team series The Avengers during the 1960s Silver Age of comic books.-Early life and career:Born in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New...
. The Swordsman was introduced as an enemy of Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
and the Avengers. The character has since appeared as both a supervillain and a superhero.
Publication history
The Swordsman first appeared as a supervillain in AvengersAvengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
Vol. 19 (1965). He went on to appear in Avengers Vol. 1 #20, 30, 38, 65, 78, 79 (1965–1970). The Swordsman changed his ways and became a superhero in Avengers Vol. 1 #100 (1972) and later became a member of the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #112-130 (1973–1974), Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
Vol. 1 #9-11 (1973), Captain Marvel Vol. 1 #32-33 (1974), Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
Vol. 1 #150 (1974), Giant-Size Avengers Vol. 1 #2 (1974) and Avengers Spotlight
Solo Avengers
Solo Avengers was an American comic book series, published by Marvel Comics, and was a spin-off from the company's superhero team title Avengers. It ran for 20 issues until it was renamed Avengers Spotlight with issue 21...
#22 (1989). Later, the Cotati-possessed Swordsman appeared in Avengers Vol. 1 #134, 135, 157, 160 (1975–1977), Giant-Size Avengers Vol. 1 #4 (1975) and West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
Vol. 2 #39 (1988).
The Swordsman has been a member of various supervillain groups. The character has appeared as a member of the Lethal Legion
Lethal Legion
The Lethal Legion is the name of five teams of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.The first version of the Legion appears in The Avengers #78 ; the second version in Avengers #164 ; the third version in West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #1 ; the fourth Avengers...
in Avengers Vol. 1 #78-79 (1970) and Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
Annual #7 (1984), the Emissaries of Evil
Emissaries of Evil
The Emissaries of Evil is a name used by three different fictional team of supervillains in the Marvel Universe.-Under Electro:The first Emissaries of Evil was recruited by Electro in a plot of revenge against Daredevil for previous defeats. This group consisted of Gladiator, Stilt-Man, Leap-Frog,...
in Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. Created by John Byrne, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 ....
Special Vol. 2 #1 (1992), and the Legion of the Unliving
Legion of the Unliving
The Legion of the Unliving is the name of five groups of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.The five versions first appear in Avengers #131 ; Avengers Annual #16 ; Avengers West Coast #61 ; Avengers #353 and Avengers vol. 3, #10 respectively...
in Avengers Annual #16 (1987), Avengers West Coast
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
Vol. 2 #61 (1990) and Avengers Vol. 3 #10-11 (1998).
Introduced as a villainous counterpart to Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
in the pages of the Avengers, the Swordsman went on to appear in Hawkeye Vol.1 #1 (1983), Solo Avengers
Solo Avengers
Solo Avengers was an American comic book series, published by Marvel Comics, and was a spin-off from the company's superhero team title Avengers. It ran for 20 issues until it was renamed Avengers Spotlight with issue 21...
#2 (1988), Hawkeye Vol.3 #3 (2004) and Hawkeye: Blindspot
Hawkeye: Blindspot
Hawkeye: Blindspot is a four issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics, starring Hawkeye. Hawkeye: Blindspot continues the storyline staged in Hawkeye & Mockingbird and Widowmaker...
#1 (2011) as part of Hawkeye's origins. The Swordsman also battled Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
in Tales of Suspense
Tales of Suspense
Tales of Suspense is the name of an American comic book series and two one-shot comics published by Marvel Comics. The first, which ran from 1959 to 1968, began as a science-fiction anthology that served as a showcase for such artists as Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Don Heck, then featured...
#88 (1967) and Captain America #105 (1968).
The 2010-2011 crossover storyline Chaos War
Chaos War (comics)
"Chaos War" is a Marvel Comics storyline that began publication in October 2010 across nine comic book series: the five-issue miniseries Chaos War, written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, supplemented by seven branded miniseries or one-shot publications, and by three issues of Incredible Hulks, a...
saw the return of the Swordsman. He was one of the central characters in the tie-in series Chaos War: Dead Avengers (2010–2011). The Swordsman also featured in Chaos War #2 & 4-5 (2010–2011) and Chaos War: Ares
Ares (Marvel Comics)
Ares is a fictional character, a deity in the Marvel Comics Universe based on the Greek god of the same name. He first appears in Thor #129 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
#1 (2010).
Fictional character history
Jacques Duquesne grew up as a privileged youth in the (fictional) Southeast Asian nation Sin-Cong, then under French rule. Unlike his father and other European residents, Duquesne held no prejudice against the Sin-Cong natives, and after performing an act of kindness for a native servant, he was invited to join a communist rebellion against French rule. As the costumed Swordsman, Duquesne, fancying himself a swashbuckling freedom fighter, helped liberate Sin-Cong, only to learn the rebel leader Wong Chu had killed Jacques' father. Devastated and disillusioned, Duquesne departed Sin-Cong to seek adventure. Nothing else is known of Duquesne's early career, but he eventually joined the Carson Carnival of Traveling Wonders; although his swordplay made him one of the carnival's star attractions, he gradually descended into gambling and drunkenness, his youthful idealism long behind him.Eventually Duquesne, by now in his thirties or older, took a young runaway named Clint Barton
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
under his wing and taught him how to use bladed weapons, while another performer, Trick Shot
Trick Shot (comics)
Trick Shot is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Solo Avengers #1 and was created by Tom DeFalco and Mark Bright...
, taught Barton archery, at which he proved to be a master. The young Clint stumbled upon Duquesne stealing money from the carnival's paymaster to pay a gambling debt. Clint attempted to turn his mentor over to the law, but he was pursued by Duquesne and badly beaten. Before Duquesne could deliver the fatal blow, Trick Shot stepped in to save the young boy. Duquesne then fled the carnival and adopted his swordsplay act to become a costumed supervillain.
Years later, the Swordsman attempted to join the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
(whose members included Clint Barton, now known as the superhero Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
) in order to take advantage of the benefits that go with an Avenger ID. He was refused entry into the team, largely due to Hawkeye's protests and the fact he was wanted in different states, and threatened to kill Captain America after capturing him, but the rest were able to rescue him. After failing the first time around, he was accepted into the Avengers. However, he was secretly an agent of the Mandarin
Mandarin (comics)
The Mandarin is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain and the archenemy of Iron Man.In 2009, Mandarin was ranked as IGN's 81st Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.-Publication history:...
, who had teleported him to his castle before the Avengers could capture him, and created a pseudo-image of Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
to recommend the Swordsman to the Avengers. The Mandarin also fitted the Swordsman's sword with extra powers, such as firing artificial lightning bolts, though he warned the Swordsman if they were ever pointed at him they would reverse. Soon after joining the Avengers, the Swordsman revealed his true intentions and betrayed the team, planting a bomb on the control panels that could be activated by remote-control. He soon had a change of heart and betrayed the Mandarin to save the Avengers. Despite his heroics, the Swordsman left the ranks of the Avengers, knowing the Mandarin would now be against him.
The Swordsman went back to being a supervillain for hire and battled the Avengers on numerous occasions. Under Black Widow's leadership, the Swordsman teamed with the original Power Man and fought the superhero team, capturing nearly all them members. With Power Man, he fought against Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
as agents of the Red Skull
Red Skull
The Red Skull is a name shared by several fictional characters, all supervillains from the Marvel Comics universe. All incarnations of the character are enemies of Captain America, other superheroes, and the United States in general....
. The Swordsman also participated in the Mandarin's attempt at world conquest, along with other villains. He later battled Captain America again, as a member of Batroc
Batroc the Leaper
Batroc the Leaper is a fictional villain from Marvel Comics. His first appearance was in Tales of Suspense #75, 1966...
's Brigade, was employed by Egghead
Egghead (comics)
Egghead is the name of two fictional Marvel Comics villains. The original first appeared in Tales to Astonish #38. He is also the arch-nemesis of super-hero Henry Pym. The second first appeared in Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1.-Elihas Starr:...
where he battled Hawkeye (in his Goliath persona). Along with Power Man, the Swordsman joined the supervillain group the Lethal Legion
Lethal Legion
The Lethal Legion is the name of five teams of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.The first version of the Legion appears in The Avengers #78 ; the second version in Avengers #164 ; the third version in West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #1 ; the fourth Avengers...
and battled the Avengers.
Eventually, the Swordsman briefly rejoined the Avengers in a war against Ares
Ares (Marvel Comics)
Ares is a fictional character, a deity in the Marvel Comics Universe based on the Greek god of the same name. He first appears in Thor #129 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
in Olympus
Olympus (Marvel Comics)
Olympus is a fictional setting, a location in the Marvel Universe. Adapted from Greek mythology by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 ....
Later, he met with Mantis
Mantis (Marvel Comics)
Mantis is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Universe, and former member of the Avengers.-Publication history:Mantis first appeared in Avengers #112 , drawn by Don Heck...
, an ally of the Avengers, and then rejoined the Avengers after he secretly fell in love with her. He subsequently participated in the Avengers/Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
war.
Death
In his last mission, Duquesne aided the Avengers in the conflict that involved KangKang the Conqueror
Kang the Conqueror is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #8 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
's quest for the "Celestial Madonna". In order to facilitate his plans, Kang had captured the Avengers present at the time - Vision, Thor, Iron Man, Mantis, The Scarlet Witch, and their guest Agatha Harkness
Agatha Harkness
Agatha Harkness is a fictional character, a powerful witch in the Marvel Comics universe. Supposedly, she was one of the original witches from the Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts. She somehow survived and later became a significant figure in Marvel continuity, protecting Franklin...
- but left Swordsman behind because he considered him useless. Humiliated but determined to show Kang his true worth, Swordsman tracked the captive Avengers to Kang's pyramid base in Gizeh, where he encountered Rama-Tut, Kang's chronological alter ego. With his help and the assistance of Hawkeye, who had just returned from a leave of absence, Swordsman managed to free his fellow Avengers. It was later revealed that Mantis was in fact the "Celestial Madonna". After Kang's plans were foiled and he decided not to leave the Madonna to anyone else, the Swordsman sacrificed his life by intercepting Kang's energy blast which was meant for Mantis.
Mantis soon after married the eldest of Earth's alien Cotati
Cotati (comics)
The Cotati are a fictional alien race in the Marvel Universe. They are a highly intelligent species of telepathic plants. Long ago, the Cotait were humanoid in form, with branches which served as rudimentary limbs which allowed them to slowly travel, and a torso topped by a distinct head with a...
, who had resurrected and possessed the Swordsman's corpse and infused a portion of its own consciousness into it. Mantis and Swordsman went on to have a son together. After battling the Avengers, the Cotati-possessed Swordsman crumbled to dust.
Dead Avengers
During the Chaos WarChaos War (comics)
"Chaos War" is a Marvel Comics storyline that began publication in October 2010 across nine comic book series: the five-issue miniseries Chaos War, written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, supplemented by seven branded miniseries or one-shot publications, and by three issues of Incredible Hulks, a...
storyline, Swordsman is among the deceased heroes released by Pluto in order to defend the Underworld from Amatsu-Mikaboshi
Amatsu-Mikaboshi (comics)
Amatsu-Mikaboshi is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a supervillain and demonic god of evil who is best known as an enemy of Hercules...
. Returning to Earth, the Swordsman joins a team of "dead" Avengers, led by Captain Marvel, who take it upon themselves to protect their unconscious teammates from the Grim Reaper
Grim Reaper (comics)
Grim Reaper is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in The Avengers #52 May , by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
. When the Grim Reaper was defeated and the Chaos War was over, the Swordsman and the surviving "dead" Avengers remained alive.
Powers and abilities
The Swordsman is an athletic man with no superhuman powers, and is a cunning criminal strategist and highly adept at unarmed combat. The Swordsman was a master in the uses of bladed weapons, especially swords, and his main weapon was a sword created by the super-villain MandarinMandarin (comics)
The Mandarin is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain and the archenemy of Iron Man.In 2009, Mandarin was ranked as IGN's 81st Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.-Publication history:...
from Makluan technology. By pressing one of the buttons on the sword's hilt, the Swordsman could project a concussive force beam, a disintegrating ray, a large jet of flame, electrical energy in a form resembling lightning, or a stream of nerve gas that induced temporary unconsciousness. He also carried various throwing knives and daggers as needed.
Philip Javert
Philip Javert, a Swordsman from an alternate universe, was a member of the Gatherers. The Gatherers were brought together by Proctor (an alternate version of the Black Knight) to hunt down every SersiSersi
Sersi is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine and an Eternal.-Publication history:Sersi was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Eternals #3 . Although the comic book was published by Marvel Comics, the Eternals were not treated as part of the Marvel universe, but as a...
throughout the multiverse. Proctor and the Gatherers travelled to the mainstream Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
(Earth-616) to kill its version of Sersi. The Swordsman, along with fellow Gatherers member Magdalene
Magdalene (comics)
Magdalene is a fictional character, a member of the Avengers from Marvel Comics. She first appeared in Avengers # 343, January, 1992, and was created by Bob Harras, Steve Epting, and Tom Palmer...
, turned against Proctor and briefly joined the mainstream version of the Avengers. Some years later, they would team with the Avengers and the Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
and leave Earth-616 for parts unknown.
Heroes Reborn
A version of the Swordsman appears as a native of the "Heroes RebornHeroes Reborn
"Heroes Reborn" was a 1996-1997 crossover story arc among comic-book series published by the American company Marvel Comics. During this one-year, multi-title story arc, Marvel temporarily outsourced the production of several of its most famous comic books to the studios of its popular former...
" world, which was created by Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character in Fantastic Four.Franklin is an Omega-Level mutant with vast psionic and reality-manipulating powers...
. He and his world were created after the Avengers "died" battling Onslaught
Onslaught (comics)
Onslaught is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Man #15 , and was co-created by writers Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid, and artist Andy Kubert....
. This version is the Heroes Reborn counterpart of Deadpool.
House of M
In the House of MHouse of M
House of M is an eight-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics in 2005. Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel, its first issue debuted in June 2005 as a follow-up to the events of the Planet X and Avengers Disassembled...
reality, the Swordsman was a member of Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi is a Marvel Comics character, often called the "Master of Kung Fu". He was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin....
's Dragons criminal organization, alongside Colleen Wing
Colleen Wing
Colleen Wing is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Colleen Wing first appeared in Marvel Premiere #19 , and was created by Doug Moench and Larry Hama.-Fictional character biography:...
, Mantis
Mantis (Marvel Comics)
Mantis is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Universe, and former member of the Avengers.-Publication history:Mantis first appeared in Avengers #112 , drawn by Don Heck...
, Zaran
Zaran
Zaran is a Marvel Comics super-villain, and is a codename carried by two characters related to another.-Maximillian Zaran:-Fictional character biography:...
and Machete
Machete (comics)
- Machete :The first known Machete was Ferdinand Lopez, a member of Batroc's Brigade and Doom's Brigade. He was also a former revolutionary of San Diablo in South America. He became a mercenary to finance a revolution but was reportedly killed by Zeitgeist...
. He was killed by Bullseye when the Dragons are ambushed by the Kingpin's assassins.
Television
- The Swordsman appeared in the Captain America/Avengers portion of The Marvel Super Heroes (1966).
- The Swordsman appeared in the The Avengers: United They StandThe Avengers: United They StandThe Avengers: United They Stand is an animated series based on the Marvel Comics superhero team The Avengers. It consists of 13 episodes, which originally premiered on October 30, 1999, and was produced by Avi Arad and distributed by 20th Century Fox Television...
episode "Comes a Swordsman" (1999). He was voiced by Paul Essiembre. In this episode, he is depicted as a mentor to Hawkeye, but also working for the ZodiacZodiac (comics)Zodiac is the name of four groups of fictional characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. The first version appears in Avengers #72 and was created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema. The second version first appear in Defenders #49 and were created by David Kraft and Keith Giffen...
.
External links
- Swordsman (Jacques Duquesne) at Marvel.com
- Swordsman (Jacques Duquesne) at Marvel.wikia.com
- Swordsman (Philip Javert) at Marvel.wikia.com