Dr. Black

Black in the 1996 edition of Cluedo

## Source

**Dr. Black** (also known as **Mr. Black** in rare cases) is a character from the *Clue* franchise. Black is mostly known for being the victim of the British version of the board game, *Cluedo*.

## Characterization

Dr. Black is shown to be a wealthy and distinguished scientist, descended from a prominent landowning family. He is famously remained unseen, with a few physical appearances in certain editions.

In early versions of Black, Black is established to be a medical practitioner, primary a physician (as shown in Super Cluedo Challenge and the Clue Mystery Puzzle series). In the 2000 edition, Black's profession is now an anthropologist.

In the United States, Dr. Black was changed to Mr. Boddy, who in some cases Dr. Black shares an identity with.

## Incarnations

### Super Cluedo Challenge

In his first physical appearance, Dr. Black is shown on the front cover of the instruction manual, dead at the bottom of the cellar stairs. He is an middle-aged breaded man with a gladstone bag with "Dr. Black, M.D." inscribed on the side, meaning he's a type of a medical practitioner (presumably a physician).

### Cluedo (1996 edition)

In the 1996 edition of *Cluedo*, Dr. Black is depicted physically on the newspaper on the back of the box. He is shown to be old, grouchy-looking man with messy white hair and wears a black suit and necktie.

### Cluedo (2000 edition)

Dr. Black is described as a young eminent, adventurous anthropologist and man of letters, who has explored the four corners of the world. In the Daily Echo article on the front box cover, the article describes him as a man with "a strong belief in the traditional ways and an unbounded loyalty to one’s country, friends and family," with "rather avant-garde ideas."

### Clue (2002 edition)

*Main article: Mr. Boddy (2002)*
In the 2002 edition of *Clue*, Mr. John Boddy, an eminent anthropologist, is referred to as "Dr. John Black" by his neighbors, after his uncle Sir Hugh Black. In the 2003 British release, he is simply just referred as Dr. Black.

### Clue (2016 edition)

In the British version of the 2016 edition, Dr. Black (Mr. Boddy in US) is celebrating his 30th birthday and the reopening of his home, Tudor Mansion, with a grand dinner party.

## Alternative versions

### Clue (2012 edition)

Dr. Black was renamed to **Samuel Black**, an infamous reclusive millionaire and a member of the C.L.U.E. Houses.

### Clue (2023 edition)

*Main article: Mr. Boden Black*
In the 2023 edition, **Mr. Boden "Boddy" Black** is the heir of the wealthy Black family and has been involved with several passion projects, with his latest being the Boden Black Hotel. While the hotel idea has faced public opposition, Black's idea has been fast tracked by government officials and his partnering with some of the County's elite.

## In other media

### Literature

* In *Cluedo Armchair Detective* (1985), Dr. Black is renamed to **Mr. Humphrey Black**. Mr. Black was the owner of Tudor Close, which he had inherited from his late elder brother, Sir Montague Black.

### Comics and graphic novels

#### Clue (2017)

* In the 2017 comic miniseries, Mr. Boddy's true identity is revealed to be Dr. Black, the infamous and reclusive C.E.O. of Black Pharmaceuticals.

### Puzzles

In the Clue Mystery Puzzles series, **Dr. David Black** is a wealthy physician, private banker, and owner of Tudor Close. In each story, Dr. Black is murdered by one of his six "friends".

### Computer and video games

* In the 2016 video game, Dr. Black (or sometimes simply referred as Black) is given several characterizations depending on the theme:
	+ In the *Hollywood* theme, Black is the president of a Hollywood film studio, Valley Studios.
	+ In the *Wild West* theme, Black is the one of the founders of Silvertown, Arizona, a mining town.
	+ In the *Masquerade* theme, Black is a wealthy merchant, who is murdered during a masquerade party at his Venetian palace.
	+ In the *Sherlock* theme, Dr Black was a businessman and a politician, with ties to London's criminal underworld.
	+ In the *Egyptian Adventure* theme, Dr Black is an archaeologist leading an expedition in Egypt. He is also known for selling some of the artefacts discovered for personal profit.
	+ In the *Tropical Mystery* theme, Black is the wealthy and ruthless billionaire owner of one of the biggest oil companies. He has invited a few select wealthy and influential persons for an exclusive excursion on his lavish private yacht, where he reveals plans to exploit the colossal crude oil reserve of a nearby enigmatic tropical island chain.

## Also see

* Mr. Boddy
* Mr. Boden Black
* Ian Masque