Supreme Power : Nighthawk

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Title : The Best Medicine
Writer : Daniel Way
Artist : Steve Dillon
Colors : Avalon’s Dan Kemp
Letters : VC’s Joe Carramagna
Editor : Axel Alonso
Publisher : Marvel Comics (MAX)

May I just firstly say, that it’s great to be back in the saddle, and thanks to all writers and reviewers for their work in my absence, and greetings to both of my loyal readers.

Hey man, counting me you have THREE readers! Editor K.

Now, on to the penultimate issue of Marvel’s faux-Batman mini-series. This limited run by Daniel Way (with art by Steve Dillon) has its strengths, but oh boy, does it also have its weaknesses.

As the issue begins, Nighthawk is the “helpless” victim of this universe’s joker equivalent, who then goes on a done-a-million-times rant about his justifications. I must say, if I never hear a villain talk about how “you and I aren’t all that different”, it will still be too soon.

And, although the villain’s clown face provides a counter-point to the Joker, I’ve yet to see any psychological justification for continuing to apply that make-up every day, when it simply originated as a practical way to escape from prison.

Now, having vented a little bit, the issue is not without its high points. Nighthawk’s attempt to escape, and his fighting style while bound hand-and-foot, are certainly something to behold, both in terms of the art and the script/writing. The machinations of the villain in the second half of the issue are both on the edge of realistic and also chilling in their methodical insanity.

This mini has been patchy overall, but generally enjoyable, and certainly gritty in a way that most faux-dark Batman-Joker stories are afraid to venture. I will say that if the threat hinted-at on the last page goes ahead, I will be impressed with the guts of both the writer and the editorial staff. But hey, the MAX imprint deserves to have a last hurrah, hmmm?

The art by Steve Dillon is generally well-executed, but for me his depictions of the characters will always scream PREACHER because of his distinctive style. One worrying trend, with some blame to be shared by the colourist, is the tendency to make bloodstains (particularly those from gun-shots) look like nothing more than thrown tomatoes.

A good issue, but with only one to go, I suspect that most people will be waiting for the trade.