Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs. Nighthawk

Supreme Power (Collected Editions) #8

by Marc Guggenheim (Writer), Paul Gulacy (Illustrator), John Rauch (Illustrator)

It had to happen: The ultimate throw-down between the two stars of the smash hits Supreme Power and Squadron Supreme: Hyperion and Nighthawk. But what could draw these two heroes into the biggest of all smackdowns? Nothing less than genocide. In this ripped-from-the-headlines story, Marc Guggenheim (Wolverine, Blade) and comic-book legend Paul Gulacy (Master of Kung Fu) explore the real-world tragedy going on right now in Darfur, Africa. The most thought-provoking and action-packed book you'll read all year!

Collecting: Squadron Supreme: Hyperion Vs. Nighthawk 1-4

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Fiction, Comic Book

96 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2007

About the author

Marc Guggenheim grew up on Long Island, New York, and earned his law degree from Boston University. After over four years in practice, he left law to pursue a career in television.

Today, Guggenheim is an Emmy Award–winning writer who writes for multiple mediums including television, film, video games, comic books, and new media. His work includes projects for such popular franchises as Percy Jackson, Star Wars, Call of Duty, Star Trek, and Planet of the Apes.

His next book, In Any Lifetime, coming from Lake Union Publishing on August 1st.

Guggenheim currently lives in Encino, California, with his wife, two daughters, and a handful of pets.

Keep up to date on his latest projects with LegalDispatch, a weekly newsletter where he shares news and notes about writing, comics, and the entertainment industry.

Reviews

[Terence · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an ethnic cleansing occurring in Darfur.

The United States government is largely staying out of the way, but Nighthawk is utilizing an unexpected method to enlist the help of Hyperion in helping with the genocide.


Hyperion vs. Nighthawk is an interesting story in that despite the world having super heroes, they are largely unable to fix the world's problems. Despite Nighthawk's wealth and Hyperion's power fixing the events in Darfur is incredibly challenging.


Nighthawk to me is largely Batman without a safety. He has the same desire for justice, but he's willing to kill for it. Hyperion may as well be the DCU Superman. All powerful yet fairly aloof and apathetic. He's largely a terror though his handlers have kept him from becoming a monster.

Hyperion vs. Nighthawk help remind people that even superheroes couldn't swoop in, fix all the world's problems, and heal the world's wounds.

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

AKA another version of Batman vs Superman? But how did Nighthawk get Hyperion to engage, and how does he have the power to compete? A superb pick up of the franchise Marc Guggeheim, as good, if not better than Straczynski! 8.5 out of 12

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always a sucker for team-ups. Nice artwork. This book places our heroes in a real life situation )Darfur) and accentuates the philosophical differences between the two, but also shows that a hero will do what's right.

[Zachary King · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the book isn’t being preachy, it’s repeating itself. And sometimes it does both.

Great concept, and it’s always helpful to use superheroes to interrogate real-world problems. But this book is far too on-the-nose to feel like anything other than homework.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if there's too much here as a comicbook. It kind of circles around.

It's much more a political statement. Seems fine.

[Chris W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring, cliche and repetitive as hell. This was bad.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good, but didn't really do a lot to further the Supreme Power series. This was taken more as a way for the author to shed some light on some horrific happenings in Africa. It may be a little too political for some, but at it's heart it's still an action packed superhero tale. There's a very serious message in this story, so it was worth an interruption in the Supreme Power narrative (if said narrative even exists anymore at this point?)

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

While definitely a bit on the nose, this is a good Superman vs. Batman analogue while steeped in real world conflict (Darfur) that the original Squadron Supreme kind of dipped it's those into.

It's a bit dated and has a slight problematic edge, was definitely a highlight to the Supreme Power Universe.

[Username]

Batman vs Superman! Set against genocidal conflict in Africa. Superheroes could do nothing to help...maybe?

[Omni Theus · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out 5 stars. Great art. Brutal fighting. Some story if a bit overused and repetitive but there is a message in there. Overall enjoyable.

[Justin]

It was bound to happen: Hyperion - the most powerful member of the Squadron Supreme - and Nighthawk - the shadowy vigilante without any superpowers - finally go toe to toe, this time right in the middle of Sudan's Darfur conflict. Writer Marc Guggenheim and artist Paul Gulacy give us a very atypical look at the typical superhero conflict, and manage to add some depth to the ongoing Squadron Supreme storyline in the process.

This is a pretty interesting story. Not only do you get the dark analogues of Superman and Batman squaring off against each other, it's also set against a backdrop of horrific real world events. Guggenheim manages to capture the complexities of the situation without sounding preachy, and he has a really good grasp of the Nighthawk character in particular.

I've never been a huge fan of Paul Gulacy's work before, but he does have a very unique style that works really well here. Squadron Supreme/Supreme Power has always focused a lot on characters' facial expressions, and Gualcy is great at that. The inking and coloring are very well done too.

Obviously this doesn't approach the greatness of the Straczynski/Frank Supreme Power run, but Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs. Nighthawk is a totally enjoyable entry in the new Squadron Supreme saga. If you're a fan of the series and especially these two characters, this is well worth picking up.

[Holden Attradies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still not sure how I feel about the Squadron Supreme, but I DO know I like Marvel's Max line and how adult it is willing to be.

My initial reaction when starting to read this was, "Ugh.. Super heroes in Darfur? This can't end up being anything but a groan inducing read." But somehow it ended up not being. There was a strong message to this, one worth telling. Even though they at times were hitting you over the head with it, it was well told. The page at the end explaining why the author chose to tell this story and presenting real world ways to try and get involved was especially meaningful.

The real world things out of the way, I came away REALLY appreciating the Superhero story it told. It can basically be boiled down to: One ( or even two) person can't change or fix some situations because they are bigger than one person, but even so to stand by and do nothing is not acceptable. At the end of the story nothing is really resolved by our heroes with world altering powers, the most they have managed to bring about is a glimmer of hope. But... hope is better than despair.

[Jedhua · Rating 3 out of 5]

ABSOLUTE RATING: {3/5 stars}

STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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