A human-vampire hybrid since his tragic birth, Blade has spent his long life seeking to rid the world of vampires like the one that killed his mother. Over the years, he has mastered his own style of fighting monsters of all kinds, utilizing his weapons of choice: Swords, knives, guns, and other equipment. Born a half-vampire or dhampir, with all of the strengths of vampires but none of their weaknesses, Blade became a vampire hunter to avenge his mother. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan, his first appearance was in The Tomb of Dracula #10 (cover dated July 1973) as a supporting character, before going on to star in his own solo storylines.

Eric Brooks was born in Soho, London, on October 24, 1929. His father, Lucas Cross, a member of the secret society the Order of Tyrana, sent his pregnant wife, Tara, to England before he was taken prisoner in Latveria. There, she took the name "Vanessa Brooks" and found shelter with brothel owner Madame Vanity, another member of the Order of Tyrana. Experiencing labor complications, Tara was forced to seek a doctor's assistance. The doctor, Deacon Frost, was actually a vampire who drank Tara's blood as she gave birth, passing on a series of enzymes that altered her baby. The enzymes entered the baby's bloodstream, transforming him into a being tainted by a vampire's bite, but not turned; in other words, a human/vampire hybrid that was also known as a dhampir. Frost was driven away before he could slay the baby, but Tara died, leaving the orphaned Eric Brooks to be raised at Madame Vanity's brothel.