Blackwing

Blackwing is the name of two fictional supervillains and one hero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Fictional character biography

Joseph Manfredi

Joseph Manfredi was born in Orlando, Florida, and is the son of the crime lord Silvermane. When he debuted, he was a costumed animal trainer for the Ringmaster's Circus of Crime. While as a member of that group, he battled with Daredevil and escaped.

Blackwing worked as an agent for Silvermane's HYDRA (serving as the Air Action Division Leader) when his father was leader. He participated in the capture of Foggy Nelson. Blackwing battled Daredevil, Black Widow, Nick Fury, and S.H.I.E.L.D. and was once again defeated by Daredevil.

Blackwing later teamed up with Jack O'Lantern to stake out his father's house when the Red Skull took the control of the base, turning the dilapidated mansion into his so-called Skull House. The duo searched Skullhouse and battled Captain America during this event. Blackwing and Jack O'Lantern were recruited by Mother Night to join the Skeleton Crew after the Red Skull was impressed with their abilities. Blackwing, Jack O'Lantern, and Cutthroat fought Crossbones and Diamondback before they joined the Skeleton Crew. Blackwing captured Diamondback, and then battled Diamondback as she escaped. He and the rest of the Skeleton Crew were defeated by Captain America, Diamondback, and Falcon. He was defeated in combat by Falcon, and taken to the Vault.

Blackwing 602

The Blackwing 602 is a discontinued model of pencil that has developed a cult following as "the best pencil ever made." It was produced by the Eberhard Faber company until 1998. The pencil initially sold for 50 cents each; as of 2012 reproduction pencils, called the "Palomino Blackwing 602" and made by California Cedar, are available in packages of 12 for about $20. Single original pencils can be found on Ebay for over $50, with some older (and rarer) ones being sold for over $100. Originals are becoming increasingly rare, as they are still being occasionally consumed without new ones being produced, making them more scarce as time goes on.

It was a very soft pencil with wax added to the lead, and has been advertised as requiring only half of the usual physical effort to produce the marking. The wood was made from cedar. The pencil was used mainly by artists, writers, and musicians, including Oscar-winning animation director Chuck Jones, author John Steinbeck, and record producer Quincy Jones. After the pencil was discontinued some writers, such as Joseph Finder and Stephen Sondheim, tried to convince Eberhard Faber to continue production; or they at least said some warm words about the tool they were used to. This likely popularized the pencil, creating its cult following.