The BrooklyKnight mascot superhero introduced: a cartoon defender of "Brooklyn" when the borough needs real ones

Photo via http://thescore.tumblr.com/

I'll have more later on the Brooklyn Nets debut last night, but first, a few words about The Brooklyn Knight or, as he's apparently known, The BrooklyKnight, the Nets' new mascot. He's apparently already making people miss the comparatively real predecessor, Sly Fox.

"I think we can all agree that everything was a success tonight with the notable exception of the mascot," tweeted Daily News beat writer Stefan Bondy. "For what it's worth: it's really, really, really nice that the Nets' major weakness right now is that their mascot sucks," commented Devin Kharpertian of The Brooklyn Game.

"The Brooklyn Knight looks like a building Bruce Ratner would use eminent domain on," he added, prompting a response: "he looks like a cheap, cheap WWE character."

He does, and it was particularly notable that a cartoon superhero was claimed for Brooklyn at a time when the borough very much needs mundane, shoulder-to-the wheel help (and money).

Announcer David Diamante, with a background announcing boxing matches and DJing at strip clubs, read the introduction--clearly written before Hurricane Sandy--with no recognition of potential ironies.



"And now, Nets fans, look to the sky," Diamante declared portentously. "It's time, descending from the rafters, after so long, the wait is finally over. The power within this hallowed ground can be contained no longer. Tonight, at long last, to this Brooklyn, your Brooklyn, to this arena, your arena, to this team, your team, your superhero is here. Born from the beating heart of your Brooklyn. Forged from the steel and stone as your battleground, he's your hunger for a team to call your own. He's your passion given form. Here, to defend Brooklyn, he's the BrooklyKnight."

I don't think any of that is "ours" except in the sense of geography.

(And yes, there's a porn star known as "Brooklyn Night." Her credits include some rather creatively named films.)

What sports can do

Daily News columnist Mike Lupica wrote:

We always want to make the games part of the relief effort, as if they’re being played for the victims. They’re not. They never have been and never will be. Of course there have been bad times before this when we all wanted to buy into the romantic conceit that our teams and our athletes can somehow make us feel that we’re all in something together. We’re not. Even at their best, they’re just games.
...The Knicks didn’t win one for New York on Friday night because they made a lot of 3’s and beat the Heat in a game that the Heat seemed completely disinterested in playing, and not just Dwyane Wade. The Giants won’t be winning one for the Jersey Shore today and the Nets aren’t winning one for Staten Island.
...You want to remember a magnificent relief effort in New York City, remember the one we saw at Shea Stadium in September of 2001, when the Mets and their manager Bobby Valentine turned the place into an emergency clearing house for goods and volunteers and even offered first responders from out of town a place to rest for a while.

The promotion

An announcement, via comicbook.com:

“Brooklyn now has a new Super Hero to call its own,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. “BrooklyKnight is a superior combination of strength, power, and confidence — sounds just like Brooklyn to me.”
“Marvel Entertainment has outdone itself with its newest Super Hero creation for the Brooklyn Nets,” Brooklyn Nets Chairman Christophe Charlier said. “We are honored to have collaborated with the company of the world’s mightiest Super Heroes.”
“As a Brooklynite and a hardcore hoops fan, for me to get the opportunity to help create a Super Hero for my home borough’s new team was a dream come true,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “Working with the Nets staff, we have created a team Super Hero that is unlike anything the NBA has ever seen; a timeless character who can stand shoulder to shoulder with icons like Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, and Thor. Let’s go, Nets!”
A comic book featuring the character–written by Jason Aaron and drawn by Mike Deodato–was given away at the game. The cover can be seen above and sample pages below. Fans attending the game November 11 against the Orlando Magic will receive a trading card featuring the character from Marvel Custom Solutions.
“Forged from the blood, sweat and tears of Brooklyn itself — always ready to defend his home and defeat any challenger — all hail the BrooklyKnight!” exclaimed Bill Rosemann, Editor, Marvel Custom Solutions. “When Nets fans meet their guardian, they will immediately know that the House of Ideas has once again unleashed a hero who will soon be known all over the world for his nobility, grit, and strength. Brooklyn, your champion is here!”