A
character published by
DC Comics. Created by
Jack Kirby, the
Black Racer first appeared in
New Gods #3 in 1971.
Willie Walker was a sergeant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. While on
active duty there, Walker was injured in battle, leaving him paralyzed
and unable to help himself. Walker was returned home and is
cared for by his sister and brother-in-law in the ghettos of
Metropolis.
One day, a street criminal nicknamed Sugarman killed someone outside
the home that Walker resided in. Fearing that Walker was a witness
and would be able to testify as to his actions, Sugarman decided
to kill the paralyzed veteren. Walker's plight drew the attention
of an agent of the Source, which controls the universe and is worshipped
by the New Gods of New Genesis. This agent is called the
Black Racer and is used to collect the souls of those who die and
take them to become one with the Source.
The Black Racer used his powers to slay Walker's attacker and then disappeared, leaving his costume behind.
Walker then realized that he was somehow whole and able to move. He
rose and felt compelled to dress in the garb of the Black Racer. The
outfit consisted of a helmet and costume, along with skies and ski poles.
Walker suddenly found that he was now the personification of the
Black Racer and used his new found powers to take Sugarman's soul
to the Source. Upon his return, Walker found that he was returned to his previous
state as a paralytic and was forced to await the call of the Source
to again be the Black Racer.
The Black Racer has the ability to travel vast distances and cross
the vaccuum of space unprotected. He can "ski" through solid objects
and does not stop until his target is apprehended.