Who Is Black Hand? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Black Hand is a DC Comics comic book character, the alter ego of William Hand, with over 238 comic issue appearances. One of Hal Jordan's oldest foes, Black Hand has evolved from a gimmicky criminal into a sadistic madman capable of siphoning lifeforce from his victims. Reanimated after his suicide, he is now an avatar of the Black Lantern.

Who is Black Hand?

Origin Black Hand's origin is one subject addressed in the " Green Lantern: Secret Origin " story arc. William Hand is a disturbed young man working at his family's business, Hand Mortuary. He appears to hold a morbid fascination with the dead bodies within the mortuary and was twice seen secretly gazing at a corpse with an intent fascination. His morbid behavior is portrayed as an ongoing problem in his family with William's mother asking him at one point "why can't he be a good Christian like his brothers?" As if acknowledging his diseased mind, William responds "I don't know". At this point, William is unaware that he is being stalked by the alien necromancer Atrocitus . Atrocitus has foreseen that William Hand contains "the power of the black", an as yet unspecified power which Atrocitus believes will provide him with the means for revenge against the Guardians of the Universe. Crafting a cosmic divining rod , Atrocitus follows the device to Hand intent on eviscerating the young man and claim the power within him. Hand is saved by the intervention of Hal Jordan and Sinestro , who was then still a Green Lantern.

Key facts

Black Hand is of human origin and first appeared in "Half a Green Lantern is Better Than None!; This World is Mine!". The character is published by DC Comics. With 238 recorded issue appearances, Black Hand ranks among the most featured characters in comics.