Tilda Johnson,introduced as theQueen of the Werewolvesand also known asDr. Nightshade,Deadly Nightshade,or simplyNightshade,is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.Introduced as asupervillainopposingCaptain America,Falcon,Power Man,Iron Fist,andBlack Panther,she is later reformed, becoming thesuperheroNighthawkand joiningthe Avengersin 2017.
| Tilda Johnson Nightshade/Nighthawk | |
|---|---|
 First appearance of Tilda Johnson inCaptain America and the Falcon#164 (August 1973) | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain America and the Falcon#164 (August 1973) |
| Created by | Steve Englehart Alan Lee Weiss |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Tilda Johnson |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | MODOK's 11 Femizons Flashmob Occupy Avengers |
| Partnerships | Yellow Claw |
| Notable aliases | Queen of the Werewolves,[1]Deadly Nightshade,[1]Doctor Nightshade,[2]Nighthawk[3] |
| Abilities |
|
Gabrielle DennisportrayedTilda Johnsonin thesecond seasonof theMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) /NetflixseriesLuke Cage.Additionally, Nabiyah Be was intended to portray Johnson in the MCU filmBlack Panther,but was renamedLinda Johnsondue to Dennis being announced to portray Johnson inLuke Cage.
Publication history
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Tilda Johnson first appeared inCaptain America and the Falcon#164 (August 1973), created bySteve EnglehartandAlan Lee Weiss.[4]
Fictional character biography
editQueen of the Werewolves
editTilda Johnson was born to a poor family inNew York City.As a child, she possessed a natural aptitude in science. When she was a teenager, she began to use this extensive knowledge in pursuing a career as a criminal scientist. She received assistance from theYellow Clawin developing a way to change normal humans so that they became compliant creatures similar towerewolves,and attempted to transform convicts into a werewolf army, butCaptain AmericaandS.H.I.E.L.D.stopped their plan.[1][5]She later took control of a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, and used pheromones to force Captain America to battle theFalcon,but was defeated.[6]She clashes withPower ManandIron Fiston several occasions.[7][8][9]
Superialater made Nightshade her second-in-command over theFemizons.She helps develop a serum to transform men into women which she uses on Captain America andPaladin.She also helped Superia develop her sterilization bomb.[10]She was also involved in a scheme withDredmund Druid,though as a double agent for Superia. She used a serum to transform Captain America and the ordinary people of Starkesboro, Massachusetts into pseudo-werewolves.[2]
MODOK's 11
editNightshade joinedMODOK's 11, with the main objective of stealing the powerful Hypernova. It has been revealed after her last battle against theBlack Panther,she tried to start her life over without crime. However, as she was self-taught and had no official degrees, the only medical job she could get was as a receptionist at a hospital. After she pointed out a mistake by one of the doctors, she was fired immediately and contemplated suicide, until MODOK contacted her and hired her for the heist. She had "used up all [her] second chances" and could not afford to turn MODOK down.[11]She developed a friendship with her teammatesArmadilloandPuma,and showed this strongly when backing up Puma in saving theLiving Laser's life (and secretly giving him his Puma powers back through her "werewolf serum" ). The three of them were the only villains to remain loyal to MODOK and get their cash (with a bonus); they appear to be sticking together, and she has offered to help Puma with his legal defense.[12]
Shadowland
editDuring theShadowlandstoryline, Nightshade organizedFlashmob,a group of former Luke Cage enemies, in order to take on the new Power Man,Victor Alvarez.Although Flashmob was defeated and incarcerated at Ryker's Island, Nightshade's lawyerBig Ben Donovanmentions that he has plans to have them released from Ryker's Island. Donovan was able to secure the release of some of the members, but others had to remain incarcerated due to the warrants and/or parole violations.[13]During theSpider-Islandstoryline, Nightshade is among the villains that have been infected by the bedbugs that bestowed spider powers on her. She alongsideCottonmouthand Flashmob ended up fightingHeroes for Hire.[14]
Reformation
editA reformed Nightshade later allies with theNighthawkof Earth-31916, helping him defend Chicago from a group of white nationalists called the True Patriots, and the Revelator.[15]Sometime later, they helpHawkeyeandRed Wolfafter they find barrels of epidurium, a synthetic skin used to build Life-Model Decoys, on a truck that was hijacked. They go to an abandoned coal factory where they end up being attacked by armed soldiers led byNick Fury.It's later revealed, that Nick Fury, as well asDum Dum Dugan,Gabe Jonesand the other agents, are Life-Model Decoys due to their outdated knowledge and technology. They later thwart an attack by gunmen attempting to rob the base. After defeating the gunmen, Nightshade decides to join Hawkeye and Red Wolf, saying her goodbyes to Nighthawk.[16]
Sometime later, the group stops at Dungston,Iowawhen their van breaks down. Hawkeye callsWheels Wolinskito help fix the van until it is revealed that some of the residents areSkrulls,who are being hunted down by mysterious men. While Hawkeye, Red Wolf and Nightshade are fighting, Wolinski discovers that the van has an A.I. system, who convinces him to help in the fight. It is later revealed that the attackers are also Skrulls, led bySuper-Skrull.Wolinski then manages to turn the van into a big robot and defeats Super-Skrull. Hawkeye then negotiates withNick Fury Jr.to provide protection for the town's residents.[17]
Becoming Nighthawk
editDuring theSecret Empirestoryline, while Hawkeye joins the Underground resistance followingHydra's takeover in the United States, the rest of the team gather their own resistance army to help the people in rural areas that are being affected by Hydra's cruel treatment. Tilda also reveals that she became the new Nighthawk, after the former was killed by Hydra soldiers. After several successful victories, the resistance heads to a secret base inSouth Dakotaand prepares for their next attack until Hydra forces raid the base. During the battle, Red Wolf and Tilda have a private conversation, in which both confess their feelings for each other, and they share a kiss. They then head out to help the resistance defeat Hydra.[3]
Powers and abilities
editTilda Johnson is an extraordinary genius, and extensively self-taught in genetics, biochemistry, cybernetics, robotics and physics. She also obtained a doctoral degree from an undisclosed university while in prison.
Nightshade sometimes wears protective battle armor, including silver spikes for protection from attack by werewolves. She has created an array of advanced weaponry, and has built numbers of humanoid robots. She created a chemical serum to transform normal humans into werewolves under her control and has used concentrated pheromones to control men through her allure.
Nightshade apparently secretes chemical pheromones from her body that affect the will of certain animals, including werewolves, making them obedient to her commands.
Other characters named Nightshade
editNetherworld Nightshade
editThe man also known as Nightshade is from the Netherworld and the twin brother ofWolfsbane.He wielded Excalibre but his sword was shattered by theBlack Knight.He could transform into a giant raven and used the enchanted sword Nightbringer.[18]
Nightshade 2099
editIn the alternate future set in 2099 A.D., Nightshade 2099 is a research organization rivalingAlchemax.Members includedAngela Daskalakis,Miss Pivot,andTravesty.[19]All its members were killed.[20]
Logan Lewis
editLogan Lewis is younger Tilda Johnson's cousin, who followed her legacy by adopting Nightshade codename for heroism.[21]
In other media
editTwo characters inspired by Tilda Johnson appear in media set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU).
- Tilda Johnsonherself appears in thesecond seasonof theMCU Netflix seriesLuke Cage,portrayed byGabrielle Dennis.[22]This version, also known by her birth name of "Matilda Maybelline Dillard",is the estranged daughter ofMariah Dillard,who was raped by her uncle "Pistol Pete" Stokes and denied an abortion by her mother "Mama" Mabel Stokes. While growing up in the care of Mariah's cousins, the Johnsons, Tilda initially believed her father was Mariah's late husband Dr. Jackson Dillard, became close to her cousinCottonmouth,and became a holistic doctor.[23]In the present, Tilda reluctantly reconnects with Mariah due to the latter's efforts to improve her publicity, becomes involved withBushmasterafter one of his men forces her to help him,[24]and learns the truth about her father, Mariah's crimes, and Cottonmouth's death.[23]After Mariah massacres several innocents to lure out Bushmaster,[25]Tilda disowns and later fatally poisons her, believing she will receive everything in her mother's will. However, she only receives Cottonmouth's keyboard as Mariah left his club, Harlem's Paradise, toLuke Cage.[26]
- In June 2017, Nabiyah Be confirmed that she had been cast as Tilda Johnson in the MCU filmBlack Panther(2018), with plans for her to reprise the role in future films. After Dennis was announced to have been cast as Johnson inLuke Cagein July 2017, Be's character was renamedLinda Johnsoninreshoots.Throughout the film, she assists her boyfriendKillmongerin his plans until he kills her to reachUlysses Klaue.[27][28][29]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcCaptain America and the Falcon#164 (August 1973).Marvel Comics.
- ^abCaptain America#403–408 (July–October 1992).Marvel Comics.
- ^abOccupy Avengers#8–9 (June–July 2017).Marvel Comics.
- ^DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019).The Marvel Encyclopedia.DK Publishing. p. 258.ISBN978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^Rovin, Jeff(1987).The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains.New York: Facts on File. p. 247.ISBN0-8160-1356-X.[1]
- ^Captain America and the Falcon#189–190 – "Arena for a Fallen Hero" and "Nightshade is Deadlier the Second Time Around" (June–July 1995).Marvel Comics.
- ^Power Man and Iron Fist#51–53 (March–July 1978).Marvel Comics.
- ^Power Man and Iron Fist#110 (July 1984).Marvel Comics.
- ^Marvel Team-Up Annual#3 – "Monster in the Meadow" (November 1980)
- ^Captain America#389–391 (July–August 1991).Marvel Comics.
- ^Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11#3 – "Where The Money Is" (September 2007).Marvel Comics.
- ^Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11#5 – "How Not To Be Good, or The Payoff" (November 2007).Marvel Comics.
- ^Shadowland: Power Man#2 – "War In the Neighborhood" (September 2010).Marvel Comics.
- ^Spider-Island: Heroes for Hire#1 (October 2011).Marvel Comics.
- ^David Walker (w), Ramon Villalobos (p), Ramon Villalobos (i), Tamra Bonvillain (col), VC's Joe Caramagna (let), Katie Kubert (ed).Nighthawk,vol. 2, no. 1 (25 May 2016). United States:Marvel Comics.
- ^Occupy Avengers#3–4 (January–February 2017).Marvel Comics.
- ^Occupy Avengers#5–7 (March–May 2017).Marvel Comics.
- ^Hulk Comic (UK)#23 (August 1979)Marvel Comics.
- ^Spider-Man 2099#26 (October 1994)Marvel Comics.
- ^Spider-Man 2099#29 (January 1995)Marvel Comics.
- ^Schedeen, Jesse (June 16, 2023)."How Marvel Is Reinventing Nightshade for 2023".IGN.RetrievedJanuary 9,2025.
- ^Strom, Marc (July 5, 2017)."Mustafa Shakir & Gabrielle Dennis Join Netflix Original Series 'Marvel's Luke Cage'".Marvel.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2017.RetrievedJuly 5,2017.
- ^abJohnson, Clark (director); Matt Owens & Ian Stokes (writer) (June 22, 2018). "For Pete's Sake".Marvel's Luke Cage.Season2.Episode 9.Netflix.
- ^Green, Steph (director); Akela Cooper (writer) (June 22, 2018). "Straighten It Out".Marvel's Luke Cage.Season 2. Episode 2.Netflix.
- ^Goddard, Andy (director); Akela Cooper (writer) (June 22, 2018). "The Main Ingredient".Marvel's Luke Cage.Season 2. Episode 10.Netflix.
- ^Lopez, Alex Garcia (director); Cheo Hodari Coker (writer) (June 22, 2018). "They Reminisce Over You".Marvel's Luke Cage.Season 2. Episode 13.Netflix.
- ^Erao, Matthew (June 21, 2017)."Black PantherConfirmed to Include Nightshade ".Screen Rant.Archivedfrom the original on June 22, 2017.RetrievedJune 22,2017.
- ^"Black PantherPress Kit "(PDF).Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 10, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 16,2018.
- ^Redação, Da (February 7, 2018)."Atriz baiana está no filmePantera Negra".Correio(in Portuguese).Archivedfrom the original on February 7, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 10,2018.