Marvel Comics 2016
Written by David F. Walker
Illustrated by Ramon Villalobos
Coloured by Tamra Bonvillain
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
The sole survivor of a world destroying cataclysm, Raymond Kane finds himself on an Earth much like the one he came from, perhaps a bit worse. Patrolling the streets of Chicago as the vigilante Nighthawk, Kan battles crime, corruption and injustice in a city plagued with escalating racial tension. Feared by criminals, hated by the police, Nighthawk will save the city from itself, even if he must destroy everything in his path.
Here’s the deal when I heard this was coming out I was excited by the prospect until I picked up the issue. This isn’t the Nighthawk i’ve come to love in Kyle Richmond no this is another reality displaced costumed avenger. Well considering how much I am enjoying Hyperion I thought okay let’s see what this is about.
Therein lies my next problem. Racial tensions, you are kidding me? This isn’t something that will go over well with comics fans at least from my vantage point. You’ve got this angry black man with a costume, apparently lots of money and one hell of grudge on his shoulder making him just as bad if not worse than those he hunts. No offense to anyone but i’m sick of the angry black man cliche. There are ways to do that and present things in a way that can enlighten, educate and thrill readers this isn’t going to do any of that it just makes me mad that spent 4 bucks on this damn issue.
The sorry part of all this is that there is a hell of alot of potential here. The idea of who he is and where he comes from, wanting to change his city for the better and his associate who makes his little toy accessories. All of this could have been great stuff without the undue anger and racial stuff being so prominent. Before anyone reading this gets up in arms, 1. I’m gay and 2. I’m Jewish I know persecution, blind hatred and unwarranted bigotry but I have to say there has to be a more intelligent, less slimey feeling way of going about the issues. I could handle those being targeted for being slumlords and the like as a point of reference in revenge but to lay it all on the line in racial tones it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
This isn’t any kind of role model or education in what’s all too prevalent in the world today instead it feels like one man’s rant against what he sees. So instead of rising above and going the high road Nighthawk and company are being just as bad as those they hunt? That doesn’t sound right to me in the slightest fighting fire with fire just causes more chaos and honestly no one wins. This isn’t good i’d much rather have the reformed criminal from the Defenders starring in his own book instead of this racially inspired anger/angst fest.
Another bright spot is Ramon. Sure there are moments where a broken leg bleeds like a running faucet, never happen that way, but overall I am pretty impressed with the work he’s doing here. It feels very Image at the moment in how the characters come to life. Could be better use of backgrounds but that’s a learning thing and already his eye for the flow of the story is pretty good.
I seriously would like my money back and return this for something else, but stores don’t work that way. It’s too bad too because this could have been something extraordinary.