Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #1 Comic Review: Another Thrilling Entry In The Hit Cosmic Series
Grew up reading comic books in the 90's. Marvel fan at heart. Hulk, the Midnight Sons, and Marvel's cosmic universe are my favorites.
A cosmic hero returns in Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #1 from Marvel Comics. Marvel’s massive 2018 event just got wilder. ComiConverse contributor Mitch Nissen takes a closer look.
Review: Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #1
What started off last year as just another Guardians of the Galaxy story has grown into one of Marvel’s most sprawling cosmic epics in years. Infinity Countdown, the second arc in writer Gerry Duggan’s grand outer space saga, just added another hero and cast of villains to its pages with Darkhawk and the true Fraternity of Raptors.
Chris Powell a.k.a. Darkhawk has been missing from comics stands for some time, since 2013’s Avengers Arena. In 2017 writer Gerry Duggan reintroduced the Fraternity of Raptors, albeit in a very different form. Later that year Marvel tested the waters once more with the Marvel Legacy one-shot Darkhawk #51. Written by the duo Chris Sims and Chad Bowers, police officer Chris Powell was reunited with his Raptor Amulet becoming Darkhawk once more.
The Synopsis
Chris has become Darkhawk again, taking down criminals and saving lives. Attacked by the Fraternity of Raptors, Chris has decided to take the fight to them. All he needs is a spaceship to cross the galaxy and find them. Before he can get into space he is attacked by the mechanoid Death’s Head. The intergalactic freelance peacekeeping agent may be just what Chris was looking for.
The Breakdown
Writers Chris Sims and Chad Bowers (X-Men 92’) laid the groundwork for Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk in the Marvel Legacy one-shot, Darkhawk #51, in November of 2017. Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk picks up directly after the events of Darkhawk #51, effectively acting as issue #52.
Sims and Bowers capture Chris Powell’s character and voice nigh perfectly from his past iterations. Readers who’ve been following the characters will find their past investments rewarded. Segueing from the events of Infinity Countdown and Gerry Duggan’s Guardians of the Galaxy titles, the book flows naturally from the event, feeling organic and relevant. This issue even corrects (or plays into) the massive incongruent depiction of the Fraternity of Raptors from Duggan’s run.
Given how similar Infinity Countdown is shaping up to past events such as War of Kings, the writers have naturally reconnected Darkhawk with longtime friend Rich Rider a.k.a. Marvel’s original Nova. There are references abound to Darkhawk’s time when written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, including a return to Project Pegasus.
And then, of course, we’re treated to a guest appearance by Marvel’s foremost freelance peacekeeping mechanoid, Death’s Head. As with Darkhawk, Bowers and Sims capture Death’s Head’s signature voice and peculiar character flawlessly. While he doesn’t appear until the closing pages of the book, there is a quick reference at the beginning to Death’s Head’s creator, Simon Furman, and Death's Head series artist, Bryan Hitch.
While displaying ample affection and love for the character and continuity, the book isn’t bogged down by it. The writers also succeed in keeping the book accessible for new readers who’re learning about Darkhawk for the first time. The story keeps Chris Powell down to earth and personable, reminding readers that, though they may be super heroes, they’re still human beings.
The Art
Gang Hyuk Lim provides stunning interior art for the book. Lim’s art shines brightest with his rendition of the titular character. Darkhawk looks gorgeous, as do all of the Raptors. Lim takes a few liberties with Death’s Head’s design which, while looking great, are the only glaring inconsistency in a book honoring Marvel’s past. It seems as if Lim adapted certain elements of Death’s Head II’s facial features, incorporating them into the original Death’s Head.
The art possesses a certain Anime esthetic reminiscent of UDON’s Street Fighter comics, maintaining realism yet separating itself from the rest of Marvel’s artists. Lim’s inks and colors further enhance the art. Sharp, defined linework mixed with deep colors make each page pop. Few books from Marvel look as vibrant and as rich as Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk.
The regular cover by SKAN is breathtaking, adding to the completely stunning overall package. As a fan though, Ron Lim and Rachelle Rosenberg’s variant cover featuring Darkhawk battling Death’s Head (DH appearing completely accurate in design) is a joy to behold.
Overall, Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #1 is a beautiful looking book and an excellent read. The writers possess a clear love for the characters that comes across in the script. Bowers and Sims demonstrate in-depth knowledge and respect for the continuity and creative teams that came before them.
With three more issues to go from this creative team, one hopes to see Sims, Bowers, and Lim continue together beyond Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk with either a Darkhawk ongoing series and or a cosmic team book (Darkhawk, Rich Rider, Death’s Head, and more). And here’s hoping Death’s Head continues appearing throughout Infinity Countdown and Infinity Wars.
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Mitch Nissen is a Contributor to ComiConverse. Follow him on Twitter: @NinjaMitche
Cosmic Awesomeness
Solid storytelling and gorgeous art. Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #1 expands on the Infinity Countdown narrative in natural ways, carrying weight and a sense of import to the overall event. Chris Sims and Chad Bowers capture the characters’ personalities and maintain the continuity, building upon what came before rather than rebooting it. All the while keeping the book accessible to new readers. And Gang Hyuk Lim’s art is stunning. This is Marvel Comics at their best.