Advance Review: Darkhawk - Heart of the Hawk #1 One-Shot

Has it really been 30 years since Darkhawk burst on to the scene as more of an urban knight than the majority of Marvel’s heroes? man, where has the time gone. You all remember his origin, being as it is a mix of different, yet similar elements to the characters of the past.

Chris Powell is from Queens (like a certain other famous hero). One night he sees his hero cop Dad take a bribe from a local crime boss in amusement arcade. It is here Chris finds the amulet and transforms into Darkhawk, not unlike Danny Ketch finding a possessed motorcycle when his sister is shot by local crime lord and turns into Ghost Rider! It is this mix that was the core of Darkhawk, at least back then. The idea was to have a grittier hero to compete with the darker character that were so popular at the time. Of course, 30 years is lot of time to pass and there have been many comings and goings for the character. This then, is a trilogy of tales looking that three distinct chapters of Darkhawk.

Cry of the City
(W) Danny Fingeroth; (A) Mike Manley; (Col) Chris Sotomayor; (Let) VC’s Travis Lanham

If you want to know what DarkHawk was all about this first tale written by the original series writer in Danny Fingeroth and art from co-creator Mike Manley. The pair have captured the 90’s vibe brilliantly with a style of story that feels dated. Chris stepping out, Darkhawk stepping in never causes concern about a secret identity. `The hero with a family to worry about in much the same way Spidey used to have; it’s all very….nostalgic. The opening story serves as a bit of a reminder of where the character, ands quite possibly the comic industry, was back then. The colors by Chris Sotomayor are suitably dark which helps create the original vibe and Travis Lanham’s letters do not detract from the action. A solid piece of yesteryear!

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Long Way Home
(W) Dan Abnett; (A) Andrea Di Vito; (Inks) Le Beau Underwood; (Col) Sebastian Cheng; (Let) VC’s Travis Lanham

Not happy with being an Earth bound hero, Darkhawk’s origins were extrapolated into the comsic areanas part of the War of Kings. Dan Abnett, a writer I am a fan of more times than not, returns to that era of Darkhawk. Building on elements from the first chapter Abnett delivers a different type of Darkhawk, world weary and tired of life. Still, amogst the galaxy’s losses, Chris Powell’s sense of right and wrong are still there. The Art by Andrea Di Vitto works well in bring the character more up to date. The inks from Le Beau Underwood are pretty heavy at times, but part of that is competition form the excellent colors of Sebastian Cheng. Lanham’s letters are again spot on; this chapter is wordy for sure and Lanham doesn’t let that detract from the pacy art.

Overall – 4 Stars

Last Flight
(W) Kyle Higgins; (A) Juanan Ramírez; (Col) Erick Arciniega

Borrowing slightly from the opening act of Endgame, Kyle Higgins sets the stage for the future of Darkhawk. As an epilogue to a character, it reads well enough completing the job that it should, even if things a get a little Green Lantern at the end. Juanan Ramírez’s art works well, coupled with the colors of Erick Aciniega, the pair give the reader a more reflective Chris Powell. The contrast between the the space anomaly and the interior of the ship works well, though may be too well on the last panel.

Overall – 3.5 Stars

For a character that is basically a mix and mash of Spider-Mans responsibility schtick, Iron Man or Rom’s armour, Falcon’s wings and Wolverine’s claws, Darkhawk was well received. During his publishing life, it did feel like Marvel were trying to pimp into every book; there’s no shame in that, after all that’s how Dazzler got her big gig! This book is a love letter to all the Darkhawk fans, giving the character a new lease of life.

Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by; Danny Fingeroth, Dan Abnett and Kyle Higgins
Art by; Mike Manley, Andrea Di Vito and Juanan Ramírez
Colors by; Chris Sotomayor, Le Beau Underwood and Erick Arciniega
Letters by; Vc’s Travis Lanham
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network