Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Chris Sims & Chad Bowers
Illustrated by Gang Hyuk Lim
Lettered by VC’s Travis Lanham
On Earth, Chris Powell is a patrol officer with the NYPD, protecting and serving the people of New York…but out in space, he's Darkhawk, the galaxy's only line of defense against the return of the ancient army of the Fraternity of Raptors! Spinning out of the Infinity Countdown storyline, the 'hawk is back to fight for justice from the edge of Manhattan to the edge of the universe!
I am a huge fan of Darkhawk’s since he was introduced and he’s been one of those characters who most people don’t know how to handle. Also Marvel doesn’t do a good job of supporting books like this any more either. Now that Chris has actually grown up and has a day and night job as it were there’s potential here for something spectacular which coincidentally Chris and Chad have found. This Earth and Galactic travel is complicated and full of drama depending on length of time spent where. I think the boys see that potential and understand what can be done with Darkhawk.
The way this book is structured is fantastic. With Chris being a cop in NYC and we see him in Harlem chasing down some everyday criminals was genius. By opening the book with the Order of the Raptor and the whole their counterpart aspect and the capture of Talon-R who naturally has links to others in this Galactic array of beings. The way it all ties together and really makes Chris cemented into this world so well is such a great thing to see. I miss the outer space books from Marvel, the Annihilation series was something I was hoping would lead to a whole line of books and with Guardians of the Galaxy being popular I don’t see what that can’t happen. Give us variety not the same old same old.
The whole concept her is nicely done and I want to see more of this beyond the four issue run. The plot and the way the story is developed throughout the book has a great ebb & flow to it that really makes this easy and enjoyable to read. Also the introduction of characters like Lieutenant Stone and actually the Bounty Hunter who makes an appearance here excites me with the plethora of possibilities it presents. This is kind of what comics should be all about, enticing the reader with what’s presented and then letting their imaginations run wild and become involved and invested into the series.
Sigh the interior artwork. I get that this Gang person is new to American comics at least and it is computer generated. There are some nice moments but it feels flat to me almost like some form of animated colourforms going on and then mix that a manga influence and it’s all over the place. When backgrounds are used they are done extremely well but there doesn’t seem to be enough of them to me. Sure the hologram was nicely too but this is an example of how, why and when hand drawn illustration is the more logical choice, don’t be cheap let someone with the skill and talent at the drawing board who use linework manipulation and bring a more focused attention to detail really bring this to life more fully.
Chad and Chris know what they are doing, they are extremely talented young men who are able to bring the reader into the book, into Chris’ life and make you want to be a part of it. I want Darkhawk to soar, I want to thrive and explore the Galaxy and juggle trying to be a fiancée and a cop. I just with Marvel would put more effort into these spin-off’s and see the potential they have and really make their best.