REVIEW: ‘Darkhawk,’ Issue #4

Darkhawk #4 is written by Kyle Higgins, illustrated by Juanan Ramirez, colored by Erick Arciniega, and lettered by VC’s Travis Lanham. It is published by Marvel Comics. After the end of the third issue, Connor Young is saved from a near-death experience by Miles Morales-who he happened to run into earlier in the series. Together with Miles and Captain America, Connor goes on the warpath as Darkhawk and learns that the thieves who want his armor intend to reinvigorate a program that created another Marvel hero.

This series has not been afraid to place emotional development over action beats, and that continues here as Miles and Connor have a discussion about Connor’s multiple sclerosis and how he fell into superheroism. I appreciate that Higgins writes Miles as a contemporary to Connor, at least in terms of teenage superheroism; he even tells Connor that being a superhero is less about what you’re supposed to be and who you already are. Considering all the things that Miles has been through, it makes sense for him to be giving advice to a younger hero. And Connor even says that Mils is the first person, other than his late friend Derek, that he’s talked about his MS with.

The issue also sees Captain America joining in the action, which makes sense on so many levels. Not only have he and Miles worked together on several occasions, he and Connor are also after the same person-Mr. Colt. (The fact that Colt used to be a member of HYDRA and has also encountered Cap’s partner Bucky Barnes also factors into the Sentinel of Liberty’s manhunt.) Superhero team-ups are always fun, but Higgins’ script takes it a step further by having the trio bounce off of each other and form a great rapport-hopefully we get to see more of it in the final issue.

When the issue does hit a battle between the superhero trio and AIM, Ramirez and Arciniega go all out with the action. The sequence opens with a full-page image of Cap breaking through a window, with Miles and Darkhawk hot on his heels. That least to another splash page where the heroes utilize their unique skills in battle: Cap smashes his shield into an AIM scientist’s face, Miles leaps around firing webs and using his camouflage ability, and Darkhawk sends thugs flying with punches. This gives Lanham the ability to be creative with his lettering, including the sharp “Brakabraka” when rifles are fired and a low “Kwoom” when Darkhawk uses his new ability.

That new ability allows the winged hero to fire a beam of bright purple energy from his chest beam which causes untold destruction, and in Ramirez’s hands, it looks just as awesome as it sounds. Given Higgins’ penchant for writing Tokusatsu-based heroes such as Power Rangers and Ultraman, it doesn’t surprise me that Darkhawk would have an ability similar to those heroes. One has to wonder if there are other abilities Connor might be able to tap into.

Darkhawk #4 sees the winged hero joining forces with Miles Morales and Captain America while embracing his new superhero identity. With one issue left, I look forward to the series conclusion and I hope this isn’t the end of Connor Young’s time in the Marvel Universe.

Darkhawk #4 is available wherever comics are sold.