Editor Ralph Macchio, who conceived the character, stated the character's genesis,
"I have been a huge fan of Kirby's New Gods and I love the Eternals. I edited The Eternals for a long period of time wherever it had a subsequent series after Jack's initial run. I just loved all that huge mythological stuff and all the things that he had created. Of course, Thor was, you know, probably my favorite character at Marvel and the whole mythology. He has guardian mythology behind, you know, Thor. So I just began to conceive with these characters. I kind of took cues from the New Gods. Obviously, Blackwulf is a conflicted character; he's got the Black Legacy and he takes arms against his father, very much what Orion did against Darkseid. And Tantalus is this kind of Darkseid-type figure in that he's huge, overwhelming, rules with an iron fist and all.[1]
Lucian is the fourth son of Lord Tantalus and Queen Nirvana of Armechadon. Though all of Tantalus' children are genetically perfect, Lucian bears a birthmark that was considered his affliction of the Black Legacy. Nirvana kills herself to prevent herself from giving birth to any more monstrous children. Holding low respect for Lucian, Tantalus decides to bring Lucian with him to Earth, where the Celestials decided to exile Tantalus.[2]
Becoming obsessed with training, Lucian spars with his brother Pelops and repeatedly loses. Tantalus decides to send Lucian to retrieve Caitlin Maddox, a genetic researcher who could stabilize the DNA of Lucian, his family, and other Deviants. This mission is interrupted by the arrival of the Underground Legion, with Lucian battling their leader Blackwulf. The Underground Legion escapes with Maddox.[volume&issueneeded]
After Lucian returns to Lyonesse, Pelops reveals his identity as Blackwulf to Lucian. He taunts Lucian and dares him to kill him, but Lucian cannot bring himself to do so. Unknown to them both, Lord Tantalus has overheard their conversation and kills Pelops himself, hopeful that this would show Lucian not to go against him. Instead, Lucian vows to destroy his father and takes the identity of Blackwulf for himself. [volume&issueneeded]
Blackwulf attempts to inform the Peacekeepers of what had happened to Pelops, but they reject his accusations against Tantalus. Lucian goes looking for the Underground Legion and offers to join them, which they accept. Blackwulf later leaves the Underground Legion following a fight with fellow member Sparrow, who blames him for Pelops' death.[volume&issueneeded]
Blackwulf is attacked by a Celestial Godstalker, who mistakes him for Tantalus. Blackwulf is overwhelmed by the Godstalker, who breaks his Shadowlance in two. He is saved by Sparrow, who uses both halves of the Shadowlance to defeat the Godstalker.[volume&issueneeded]
The Godstalker transports Blackwulf to another dimension. However, Sparrow accesses the dimension with the aid of Khult and gives Blackwulf the Shadowlance, which has been reforged by Khult. Blackwulf attacks the Godstalker, who is convinced that he is not Tantalus. The Godstalker agrees to help Blackwulf destroy Tantalus and bonds to the Shadowlance, which cures him of the Black Legacy and removes his birthmark.[volume&issueneeded]
Enraged Blackwulf (Lucian). Art by Angel Medina.
Blackwulf joins the Underground Legion in battling Lord Tantalus and his Peacekeepers and reunites with the spirit of Nirvana. Wishing to end her suffering, Blackwulf absorbs Nirvana's Black Legacy into himself, regaining his birthmark but setting her free.[volume&issueneeded]
Powers and abilities
Lucian possesses enhanced strength and durability. As a result of his heritage, Lucian is afflicted with Black Legacy, a form of energy that can instantly destroy anything living upon contact. Lucian bears a birthmark of a stripe along the left side of his face, which is a representation of the Black Legacy within him. When using his powers, this stripe covers the entire left half of his face.
The Shadowlance lets Lucian channel the Black Legacy bound by his anger and rage into energy blasts.
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