REVIEW: Darkhawk #1
One of the most obscure Marvel heroes in their vast pantheon is reinvented in a brand new, and captivating way, as we review Darkhawk #1
There are a few heroes in the history of Marvel comics that have been forgettable, and among that list is the 1990s winged superhero who went by the very 1990s name, Darkhawk.
Source: Marvel
A hero that was rather forgettable at the time, Marvel has brought the long-forgotten character back to life in Kyle Higgins and Juanan Ramirez Darkhawk #1, and the all-new version of the hero for a new generation.
Centered around the young Connor Young, this iteration of the series begins with the story of a kid who truly has everything; until a terrible medical diagnosis robs him of the promises of success that came from his tireless work ethic.
Source: Marvel
Young is the star basketball player who is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and it is that starting point that gives the character his basis as a hero in dire need of direction and is where the praise for what Higgins was able to do first begins.
The book is given an entire first issue to this origin story, and it isn’t one that feels forced or misguided; you feel for Connor, although he is the star athlete who seemingly has everything, he is a genuinely good kid.
Source: Marvel
There is little known of the original iteration of the character, or what grants him his powers, but what makes this first issue of Darkhawk interest is that Higgins, rightfully, doesn’t waste time on lore; he instead focuses on character and endearing the audience to his hero.
It works, and the story naturally centers on Connor’s encounter with a strange item that grants him the power of Darkhawk; which, although yet to be fully explored, centers on a superpowers suit equipped with energy wings in a design that is very cool to look at.
Source: Marvel
The main draw of Darkhawk is the incredible design of the character, but the important journey of the story is whether or not Higgins can truly craft a hero that can earn the focus and admiration of readers.
Although that question is unanswerable to this point, Darkhawk #1 provides a fantastic starting point towards achieving that end.
Source: Marvel
