le SABRE

Real Name: Paul Richarde

Identity/Class: Human, magic weapon user

Occupation: Warrior; former sword thrower

Group Membership: Part of a convocation of wizards

Affiliations: Agent of Mordred the Evil

Enemies: Black Knight/Dane Whitman, Hercules, Taylor Madison

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: currently unknown; formerly London, England

First Appearances: Marvel Super-Heroes II#17 (November, 1968)

Powers/Abilities: le Sabre is skilled with throwing knives, and fighting with bladed weapons. He rides an enchanted flying gargoyle and uses a blade which is carved from the same meteor as that from which came the Ebony Blade. In theory, this is the only substance which can kill someone holding the Ebony Blade. In addition, it is virtually indestructible and can slice through almost any substance (probably not Adamantium or Uru, but who knows?). Possibly, when holding that dagger, he can only be killed by the Ebony Blade. He also uses a battleaxe as a weapon, and a large shield. Since his intial defeat, he apparently has developed knowledge and experience in sorcery, sufficient at least to reform his gargoyle mount.

History: (Marvel Super-Heroes II#17(fb)) - Paul Richarde, as le Sabre, was a stage performing artist specializing in throwing knives. He was quite successful and virtually flawless until one day he threw a blade which killed his assistant. After that, he retired, but continued to be haunted by his failure and how he had killed the girl.

(Marvel Super-Heroes II#17) - Mordred wished an agent to oppose the new Black Knight, Dane Whitman, who was given the Ebony Blade by the spirit of Mordred's old foe, Sir Percy, the original Black Knight. Mordred selected Richarde, and threatened to continually haunt him with his failure unless he served Mordred. Richarde agreed, and was given a suit of armor, an animated gargoyle and the dagger which had killed Sir Percy many centuries ago. Mordred's black magic warped Richard's mind, making him plenty evil enough to do the job.

Le Sabre ambushed Whitman as he flew by on his winged steed Aragorn, and the two struggled over the city of London. After a short battle, the Black Knight destroyed le Sabre's axe, but nearly fell victim to the hastily pulled dagger. However, Aragorn sensed the danger in the dagger and kicked the dagger from le Sabre's hand. Whitman then skewered le Sabre's gargoyle with the Ebony Blade causing it to fall to the ground and shatter. Whitman caught le Sabre, who passed out from the strain. Whitman believed le Sabre's threat to be over without the dagger and the influence of Mordred.

(Avengers Annual I#22) - Le Sabre was one of several magic-using villains who assaulted Avengers Mansion, in search of artifacts of immortality and weapons of destruction. le Sabre sought the Ebony Blade, but was defeated by Hercules and the Black Knight, who at the time had abandoned the Ebony Blade in favor of a photonic sword.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas and Howard Purcell.

le Sabre's dagger is the same that Mordred used to slay the original Black Knight.

Mordred's discussion with le Sabre indicated he may have had something to do with his fatal throw.

 

 

 

 

 

Clarifications: le Sabre has no known connection to:

Mordred the Evil should not be (although he often is) confused with:


Appearances:
Marvel Super-Heroes II#17 (November, 1968) - Roy Thomas (writer), Howard Purcell (pencils), Dan Adkins & others (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Avengers Annual I#22 (1993) – Glenn Herdling (writer), Mike Gustovich (pencils), Ariane Lenshoek (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)


Last updated: 01/27/13

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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