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Supreme Power (Collected Editions) #5
Supreme Power: Nighthawk
As a boy, Kyle Richmond - the man who would one day become Nighthawk - witnessed the senseless murder of his parents. There was no reason for their deaths, no provocation - they were just simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was a traumatic event that has left him scarred for life - and turned him into a hero more feared than the criminals he polices. Now, it's happening again... but on a much larger scale. The people of Chicago - men, women and children - are dying in the streets, victims of a monster whose thirst for slaughter cannot be quenched, whose soul is a bottomless void and whose scars run even deeper than Nighthawk's. Long ago, Kyle Richmond looked into the face of madness - now, it's looking back at him. And it's flashing a killer smile.
Collecting: Supreme Power: Nighthawk 1-6
Collecting: Supreme Power: Nighthawk 1-6
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 25, 2020
Daniel Way and Steve Dillon pick up the Nighthawk book, as does as well as the main Supreme Power series, as he digs deep into Nighthawk when he faces an unsettling case with multiple deaths. 8 out of 12. I read the comic books Supreme Power: Nighthawk #1-6.
February 16, 2016
How would super beings really look at this world of mortals and act? How would we view them? Awesome book, incredible plot and great art. Highly recommended
October 7, 2024
I thought this was great, but it was as dark as anything ever published by Marvel. I think it's so dark it could turn off some readers. It's like a really extreme Batman Vs. The Joker story.
The story doesn't tie in very deeply to the Supreme Power universe, but it doesn't need to. Nighthawk is hunting one of the most evil serial killers you'll ever see in comics (and that takes in a lot of ground.)
The series has Steve Dillon art, which fits the story perfectly. A little different than previous Supreme Power series, but very good.
The story doesn't tie in very deeply to the Supreme Power universe, but it doesn't need to. Nighthawk is hunting one of the most evil serial killers you'll ever see in comics (and that takes in a lot of ground.)
The series has Steve Dillon art, which fits the story perfectly. A little different than previous Supreme Power series, but very good.
August 29, 2019
Re-read after Slate's Jamelle Bouie reminded me of Daniel Way's outstanding spinoff from Stryzynski's Supreme Power.
For those interested, reading Supreme Power is not a prerequisite for enjoying this book. It works just fine on its own.
The premiss in a nutshell: Supreme Power is a superhero deconstruction series in which major DC characters are reimagined in a modern context. For example: Superman still the last son of a dying planet, who crashes into a Kansas Cornfield; but instead of being raised by Ma and Pa Kent, he was snapped up by an allegorical cold-war-era CIA and raised by government spooks in an idyllic, Pleasantville-Esq compound.
Nighthawk is the Supreme Power universe's version of Batman. He's identical to DCU's Bruce Wayne in almost every way. He's still the scion of a wealthy, philanthropic family. His parents were still murdered by a criminal (right down to the shot of his mother's broken and bloodstained pearl necklace). He's still brilliant beyond compare and maintains a secret identity as the executive of a major multinational company. The only difference between Nighthawk and Batman is that Nighthawk is black.
Daniel Way does a masterful job of exploring the ramifications what Batman's one-man war on crime would look like if he were a person of color. He doesn't spend his time and resources pummeling perpetrators of crimes of poverty. Instead, he is focused on pursuing those responsible for perpetuating the systems that breed and foment injustice.
Way's Nighthawk is thought-provoking, incisive and sadly every bit as relevant today as when it was written -if not more so. Also, it's worth noting that Way's stand-in for the Joker is, like, Killing Joke level good.
Supreme Power: Nighthawk should be required reading for any fan of superhero comics.
For those interested, reading Supreme Power is not a prerequisite for enjoying this book. It works just fine on its own.
The premiss in a nutshell: Supreme Power is a superhero deconstruction series in which major DC characters are reimagined in a modern context. For example: Superman still the last son of a dying planet, who crashes into a Kansas Cornfield; but instead of being raised by Ma and Pa Kent, he was snapped up by an allegorical cold-war-era CIA and raised by government spooks in an idyllic, Pleasantville-Esq compound.
Nighthawk is the Supreme Power universe's version of Batman. He's identical to DCU's Bruce Wayne in almost every way. He's still the scion of a wealthy, philanthropic family. His parents were still murdered by a criminal (right down to the shot of his mother's broken and bloodstained pearl necklace). He's still brilliant beyond compare and maintains a secret identity as the executive of a major multinational company. The only difference between Nighthawk and Batman is that Nighthawk is black.
Daniel Way does a masterful job of exploring the ramifications what Batman's one-man war on crime would look like if he were a person of color. He doesn't spend his time and resources pummeling perpetrators of crimes of poverty. Instead, he is focused on pursuing those responsible for perpetuating the systems that breed and foment injustice.
Way's Nighthawk is thought-provoking, incisive and sadly every bit as relevant today as when it was written -if not more so. Also, it's worth noting that Way's stand-in for the Joker is, like, Killing Joke level good.
Supreme Power: Nighthawk should be required reading for any fan of superhero comics.
January 31, 2015
I read this a couple of years ago after hearing Way talk this book up on a podcast as being his take on the Batman/Joker rivalry. I am a sucker for the use of analogs as stand-ins to present alternate takes on established comic character dynamics. I liked it well enough back then, so when I saw the library had this I decided to read this story again.
I don't know what changed between now and then, but I could barely get through this. This book reads exactly like what Alan Moore has spent the last 15 years of his career trying to work against, that being the grim and gritty for the sake of grim and gritty in comics. Maybe this book is trying to say something, but really it just reads like Batman can never confront the Joker like this at DC, so lets do that EXTREME stuff over here. It just felt so over-baked.
It should be said that Supreme Power's whole deal is to be analogs for DC heroes, presenting those archetypes in a more "real" and grounded way, but there was just some disconnect between that goal and this story. I can enjoy violence and edginess in fiction as much as the next guy, but when that is the only thing a story seems to be striving for, I can't help but checkout. Thinking about what it was about this book that rubbed me the wrong way, I think ultimately it was just all of the characters felt flat and/or stereotypical. This same story presented with characters I gave a shit about would have probably knocked me on my ass.
It's certainly readable and the Dillon are is solid (thus the lack of a 1 star rating), but this book isn't something I would ever recommend other people read.
Also, the cover is ugly as sin. It's not pictured here on goodreads, but jeez did these early Marvel Premiere Hardcovers ever lack pizazz.
I don't know what changed between now and then, but I could barely get through this. This book reads exactly like what Alan Moore has spent the last 15 years of his career trying to work against, that being the grim and gritty for the sake of grim and gritty in comics. Maybe this book is trying to say something, but really it just reads like Batman can never confront the Joker like this at DC, so lets do that EXTREME stuff over here. It just felt so over-baked.
It should be said that Supreme Power's whole deal is to be analogs for DC heroes, presenting those archetypes in a more "real" and grounded way, but there was just some disconnect between that goal and this story. I can enjoy violence and edginess in fiction as much as the next guy, but when that is the only thing a story seems to be striving for, I can't help but checkout. Thinking about what it was about this book that rubbed me the wrong way, I think ultimately it was just all of the characters felt flat and/or stereotypical. This same story presented with characters I gave a shit about would have probably knocked me on my ass.
It's certainly readable and the Dillon are is solid (thus the lack of a 1 star rating), but this book isn't something I would ever recommend other people read.
Also, the cover is ugly as sin. It's not pictured here on goodreads, but jeez did these early Marvel Premiere Hardcovers ever lack pizazz.
April 30, 2023
Millionaire Kyle Richmond is the dark, flying animal-themed vigilante Nighthawk, determined to protect his city after his parents were murdered when he was a child. Now, a new menace rears its ugly head: a sociopathic chemist wearing clown makeup who can’t stop killing. Hmm… this all sounds very familiar doesn’t it? But wait - it’s a Marvel book, not DC! Huh-wuuuh!?
Supreme Power was a Marvel event from the mid-’00s featuring the Squadron Supreme, who are the Marvel parody of DC’s Justice League. Nighthawk is basically Batman and his clown nemesis in this book is basically Joker, which makes Supreme Power: Nighthawk a secret Marvel version of a Batman and Joker book!
All of which was a surprise to me as I grabbed this one solely on the basis of seeing the creative team of Daniel Way and Steve Dillon on the cover, both of whom are among my favourite superhero writers and artists, and who have collaborated on some great stuff elsewhere - nearly everything by these two together is worth reading. Their Nighthawk book though? Eh… it’s not up there with their best but it’s not bad either.
It doesn’t say it on the cover but this definitely feels like it’s part of Marvel’s MAX range - their comics aimed at adults only - given that there are uncensored swears, gore, a very graphic suicide, lots of drug use, and even more child murder. Not that this bothered me, but it was another surprise in the book.
Once you realise that this is a “Mirror Dimension” Batman/Joker origin story, you notice the comparisons immediately: the “Joker toxin” that Whiteface uses on his victims, the Commissioner Gordon stand-in, and the final page even hints at a future Robin. Which is fine but aspects of the story felt contrived - like Way was following the Batman origin a bit too closely (having Kyle seeing his parents killed as a kid, etc).
Whiteface (a double entendre as it doesn’t just refer to the white face make-up he’s wearing but also to him being a white supremacist) coincidentally adopts clown makeup and then, for no reason, decides to maintain it indefinitely. He also conveniently becomes non-catatonic when the plot needs him to speak and then immediately starts adopting Joker mannerisms, again for no reason. Way’s forcing the Joker persona onto him and it’s awkwardly done.
The story is quite thin as we wait for Nighthawk to catch Whiteface, which takes six issues, while the subplot about corruption at city hall was convoluted and dull - its connection to the main storyline felt murky at best and mostly like pointless filler.
That said, the Batman comparisons only go so far given that Nighthawk has zero compunction with using guns or killing, which I enjoyed for the variety, particularly in the finale where Way addresses one of the biggest criticisms against Batman - it was a satisfying and fitting ending to a grim story.
And I thought Whiteface’s origin was an actually decent Joker origin, more plausible than Alan Moore’s Killing Joke - like how he comes to get his face scars and become a dead-eyed killer. Up to a point though - it becomes silly once Way makes him start laughing suddenly, and I would’ve liked his clown make-up to have become less perfect over time, rather than looking like he was touching it up every few hours.
It’s also unconvincing how someone could possibly mistake him for a capable children’s entertainer and then hire him for a gig - “Honey, I found a strange man dressed as a clown standing around in the park and immediately thought it’d be a good idea to invite him into our home to be around small children”!
Nitpicks aside, Supreme Power: Nighthawk isn’t the most compelling of reads but as a pitch-black adult take on Batman and the Joker, from Marvel of all publishers, it’s an interesting curio. And, of course, if you’re a fan of these creators it’s definitely worth a look - it’s out of print but it’s available digitally. We’ll never get to see Steve Dillon’s Batman unfortunately but Daniel Way might be a viable option, assuming he’s interested, if DC are looking for writers on one of their many Batman projects…
Supreme Power was a Marvel event from the mid-’00s featuring the Squadron Supreme, who are the Marvel parody of DC’s Justice League. Nighthawk is basically Batman and his clown nemesis in this book is basically Joker, which makes Supreme Power: Nighthawk a secret Marvel version of a Batman and Joker book!
All of which was a surprise to me as I grabbed this one solely on the basis of seeing the creative team of Daniel Way and Steve Dillon on the cover, both of whom are among my favourite superhero writers and artists, and who have collaborated on some great stuff elsewhere - nearly everything by these two together is worth reading. Their Nighthawk book though? Eh… it’s not up there with their best but it’s not bad either.
It doesn’t say it on the cover but this definitely feels like it’s part of Marvel’s MAX range - their comics aimed at adults only - given that there are uncensored swears, gore, a very graphic suicide, lots of drug use, and even more child murder. Not that this bothered me, but it was another surprise in the book.
Once you realise that this is a “Mirror Dimension” Batman/Joker origin story, you notice the comparisons immediately: the “Joker toxin” that Whiteface uses on his victims, the Commissioner Gordon stand-in, and the final page even hints at a future Robin. Which is fine but aspects of the story felt contrived - like Way was following the Batman origin a bit too closely (having Kyle seeing his parents killed as a kid, etc).
Whiteface (a double entendre as it doesn’t just refer to the white face make-up he’s wearing but also to him being a white supremacist) coincidentally adopts clown makeup and then, for no reason, decides to maintain it indefinitely. He also conveniently becomes non-catatonic when the plot needs him to speak and then immediately starts adopting Joker mannerisms, again for no reason. Way’s forcing the Joker persona onto him and it’s awkwardly done.
The story is quite thin as we wait for Nighthawk to catch Whiteface, which takes six issues, while the subplot about corruption at city hall was convoluted and dull - its connection to the main storyline felt murky at best and mostly like pointless filler.
That said, the Batman comparisons only go so far given that Nighthawk has zero compunction with using guns or killing, which I enjoyed for the variety, particularly in the finale where Way addresses one of the biggest criticisms against Batman - it was a satisfying and fitting ending to a grim story.
And I thought Whiteface’s origin was an actually decent Joker origin, more plausible than Alan Moore’s Killing Joke - like how he comes to get his face scars and become a dead-eyed killer. Up to a point though - it becomes silly once Way makes him start laughing suddenly, and I would’ve liked his clown make-up to have become less perfect over time, rather than looking like he was touching it up every few hours.
It’s also unconvincing how someone could possibly mistake him for a capable children’s entertainer and then hire him for a gig - “Honey, I found a strange man dressed as a clown standing around in the park and immediately thought it’d be a good idea to invite him into our home to be around small children”!
Nitpicks aside, Supreme Power: Nighthawk isn’t the most compelling of reads but as a pitch-black adult take on Batman and the Joker, from Marvel of all publishers, it’s an interesting curio. And, of course, if you’re a fan of these creators it’s definitely worth a look - it’s out of print but it’s available digitally. We’ll never get to see Steve Dillon’s Batman unfortunately but Daniel Way might be a viable option, assuming he’s interested, if DC are looking for writers on one of their many Batman projects…
December 23, 2018
Supreme Power Nighthawk is actually a pretty good idea for a character. He's like Batman but with more edge and realism and a lot of interesting political questions.
Cool stuff.
But here the premise is a mistake. What if the Joker existed in this universe? You basically get Dr. Poison dressed like a clown, I guess.
But who cares? Not even the villain really. Nothing in the villain character sets him up as an appropriate foil to Nighthawk, really. There are so many more obvious thematic options.
Cool stuff.
But here the premise is a mistake. What if the Joker existed in this universe? You basically get Dr. Poison dressed like a clown, I guess.
But who cares? Not even the villain really. Nothing in the villain character sets him up as an appropriate foil to Nighthawk, really. There are so many more obvious thematic options.
February 3, 2025
I read this in about 20 minutes because someone on social media posted it, because it's no longer available through any legitimate means. Kind of a stretch to say it's good exactly? But I miss the edgelord-y, pre-MCU, pre-Disney Marvel Max of the mid-00s, when Joe Quesada was doing literally anything to claw Marvel out of bankruptcy, including a Batman/Joker story with references to Ed Gein, R. Budd Dwyer, Se7en, and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. I can't say I didn't have fun with this, though the mass child murder hits different in 2025. Daniel Way was one of the better of this crop of mainstream writers.
December 21, 2017
It’s Not-Batman vs Not-Joker. It’s middle of the road and doesn’t really say anything. The violence and action is fun. There’s a few moments of genuine humor, but honestly the main story falls flat.
Read it if you’re interested but don’t expect anything amazing.
Read it if you’re interested but don’t expect anything amazing.
April 3, 2023
It's tough to determine which moment I loved more: the mayor Budd Dwyering himself at the start of issue #4 or when Whiteface laughs, saying "see you next time" and Nighthawk sends a harpoon through the fucker's chest. Grim and funny. One of my favorites. Man, I miss the Supreme Power universe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
Una historia muy bestiasobre la caza a un payaso serial killer. Mucha violencia y accion sin descanso, gran lectua para los amantes de lo tipico marvel de peleas, para mi no tanto
October 12, 2023
Interesting story but did very little to development Nighthawk/Kyle Richmond.
October 6, 2010
Much better than Supreme Power: Hyperion. While this story doesn't appear to carry forward the overall story arc of Supreme Power it is a good read. The fact that the main villain is an "evil clown" is only part of the draw. It does not rely on a "twist ending" and just tells the story from beginning to end without apologizing for itself at any point.
September 1, 2013
As a stand alone story (non Supreme Power) it was great. Similar to Batman, yes. But I still enjoyed the story.
January 17, 2018
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3.5/5 stars} (Rounded Up)
STANDARDIZED RATING: <4/5 stars>
STANDARDIZED RATING: <4/5 stars>
December 2, 2016
The story premise was a fine one and the pace was quick, by the book read flat and cold. The artwork was very sub-par by graphic novel standards.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews