Nighthawk (Supreme Power)

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This article is about the character associated with the Earth-31916 Squadron Supreme. For other Marvel Comics' characters with this name, see Nighthawk (Marvel Comics).
Nighthawk

Nighthawk.
Art by Gary Frank.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics imprint MAX Comics
First appearance (as Kyle Richmond)
Supreme Power #2 (November 2003)
(as Nighthawk)
Supreme Power #4 (January 2004)
Created by J. Michael Straczynski
Gary Frank
In story information
Alter ego Kyle Richmond
Abilities Olympic level athlete
Genius intellect
Advanced weaponry
Marvel Comics Alternate Universes
Marvel stories take place primarily in a mainstream continuity called the Marvel Universe. Some stories are set in various parallel, or alternate, realities, called the Marvel Multiverse.

The Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe: Alternate Worlds 2005 designates the mainstream continuity as "Earth-616", and assigns another Earth-numbers to each specific alternate reality.

In this article the following characters, or teams, and realities are referred to:
Character/Team Universe
Kyle Richmond Earth-31916

This version of Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond) is a fictional character and a superhero from an alternate Marvel Comics universe. [1] Nighthawk first appeared in Supreme Power #2 (November 2003) and was created by J. Michael Straczynski. The character is also associated with the team Squadron Supreme.

Contents

[edit] Publication history

In 2003, Marvel Comics published under its MAX imprint a series written by J. Michael Straczynski titled Supreme Power. In this series, Straczynski created a group of superhumans loosely based on the first alternate universe version [2] of the Squadron Supreme created by writer Roy Thomas. Nighthawk is modelled on a character of the same name, and while both are called Kyle Richmond, the Straczynski version differs considerably from the Thomas version. The series lasted 18 issues. [3]

In 2005, Nighthawk appears briefly in a limited series about the origin of ally Hyperion (Supreme Power) [4] and later his own limited series. [5]

In 2006, an ongoing new title called Squadron Supreme was published, and features Nighthawk on a regular basis. [6]

In 2007, Nighthawk features with Hyperion in a limited series [7]

[edit] Fictional character biography

[edit] Supreme Power

Nighthawk is the alter ego of Kyle Richmond, a wealthy African-American who decides to fight crime in Chicago after witnessing his parents' being gunned down by racists as a child. Years later, Richmond uses his father's investments to build a successful corporation, and, with its resources, begins acting as a vigilante who hunts criminals who prey on African-Americans. [8] As Nighthawk, Richmond tracks a super-human serial killer called Michael Redstone, who has been killing prostitutes. After an initial encounter in which Nighthawk is almost killed, he is aided by fellow heroes the Blur and later Hyperion to apprehend Redstone. [9]

Soon after this Nighthawk travels to Chicago, where there is an epidemic of drug addict deaths - due to a poisoned supply of drugs - that reaches 3,800. Discovering it is the work of a serial killer called Whiteface, Nighthawk tracks him down, but unfortunately not before the killer murders the mayor's wife and child, which in turn drives the Mayor to suicide. After a brief confrontation, Nighthawk executes Whiteface. As a result, Nighthawk saves the life of an orphaned baby.

[edit] Squadron Supreme

Nighthawk's partnering with Hyperion and the Blur becomes instrumental in the formation of the Squadron Supreme. Although asked to join by the Blur, Nighthawk refuses. The Squadron Supreme are also oblivious to the fact that the US government are aware of Nighthawk, and that he has no powers. At one point two agents are dispatched to monitor Nighthawk, but both are defeated and left in an unknown location. [10] When Redstone later escapes prison and engages Hyperion in a very public battle, Nighthawk decides to join the Blur and aid Hyperion for the final confrontation with Redstone. [11]

Nighthawk has also participated in a mission with Hyperion in Darfur, Africa, the scene of the Squadron Supreme's first mission. Nighthawk comes into conflict with Hyperion when he shows Hyperion he is being used as a weapon to correct the geo-political climate of the region. [12]

[edit] The Future?

Nighthawk had asked the Blur to keep an eye on things: in a possible future timeline, Blur sees Hyperion use behavior modification technology on Blue Eagle and tries to escape undetected, but is caught by Hyperion. After Hyperion takes over the earth he is one of the last people who fights the superhumans and is currently being hunted by them.[13]

[edit] Powers and abilities

Nighthawk uses a combination of fighting prowess, stealth and advanced weaponry. The last is apparently of his own making, as Nighthawk wears a bulletproof costume and is equipped with items such as night-vision goggles and throwing knives. Although possessing no superhuman abilities, he is an Olympic level athlete and an excellent combatant. Nighthawk also appears to be acquainted with forensic science.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Earth-31916 universe - this numbering is confirmed by the Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe: Alternate Worlds 2005
  2. ^ Earth-712
  3. ^ Supreme Power #1 - 18 (2003 - 2005)
  4. ^ Supreme Power:Hyperion #1 - 5 (2005 - 2006)
  5. ^ Supreme Power: Nighthawk #1 - 6 (September 2005 - February 2006)
  6. ^ Squadron Supreme vol. 2, #2006
  7. ^ Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs. Nighthawk #1 - 4 (2007)
  8. ^ Supreme Power # 1 - 6 (2006 - 2007)
  9. ^ Supreme Power #7 - 18 (2006 - 2007)
  10. ^ Squadron Supreme vol. 2, #1 - 6
  11. ^ The storyline has yet to finish but will run through Squadron Supreme vol. 2, #7 -12
  12. ^ Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs. Nighthawk #1 - 4 (2007)
  13. ^ Supreme Power:Hyperion #1 - 5 (2005 - 2006)