Hyperion vs. Nighthawk #2-3 review (spoilers)

[Hypestyle]

Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs. Nighthawk #2 & 3
Recap:
Writer- Marc Guggenheim
Artist- Paul Gulacy

Plot: The Superman-like Hyperion is an agent of the US government, who is sent to the Darfur region of the Sudan to apprehend and/or ‘take out’ the human vigilante Nighthawk, who is waging a one-man war against the genocidal militias in northern Africa.

Part 2 opens with a flashback-- Kyle Richmond at a board meeting for the nonprofit arm of his business empire, the Richmond Foundation. It seems that $20 million in donations to foreign aid for Darfur have, basically, affected nothing. An interesting explanation is given for how foreign-based charity aid can actually make things worse; privately mulling things over, Richmond decides to take a direct hand in addressing the turmoil. We get to see much more of Nighthawk’s infiltration of the Squadron base in Ohio, and the fight (of sorts) with Hyperion. We also get a nod that Emil Burbank isn’t necessarily as smart as he likes to think he is (heh--).

Fast forward to the fight in Darfur with Hyperion and Nighthawk, NH basically owns Mr. Milton. Hyperion tries to wrap his head around it—is it mind control? A super serum? Something else entirely?
NH reveals why he lured Hyperion to the Darfur region—to help him stop the genocide against blacks by the Janjaweed militias. Reluctant, Hyperion plays along anyway, if only to try and figure out how Nighthawk keeps laying him out. After stopping a militia man from raping a woman, Hyperion goes to confront the Sudanese government—its representative basically declares that stopping the genocide has too many political ramifications—not the least of which is providing intel on Arab terror cells for the US War on Terror—which is confirmed by the CIA agent who walks in to give his two cents. Hyperion breaks the neck of the Sudanese (puppet?) diplomat. At the climax, we see three of the five African metas who warned the Squadron to leave Africa alone after their mission against Mobutu. They’re ticked.

This is easily my favorite miniseries of the year so far. If JMS ever decides to leave Squadron Supreme, Guggenheim gets my vote to take over.

 

[Willowhugger]

Hyperion vs. Nighthawk 3#

Now, I picked this up almost against my will. I bought the first two trades of Supreme Power and frankly couldn't really get behind the series. In their attempts to be edgy, the main characters are either completely self absorbed or outright evil. With such unlikeable protagionists, there wasn't much to draw me into the story and I loved the Squadron Supreme.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book with such a classic plotline getting used to excellent effect. The plot is, of course, "A superpowerful man decides to involve himself in one of the terrible wars that plague the real-world."

Now, these stories always have the usual coda that the superhero was wrong to involve himself. Ozmandyias is the most famous from Watchmen where we see his efforts go to great effect but also at a nightmarish cost. The effect that Hyperion and Nighthawk have in this issue is also pretty minimal, most likely.

On the other hand, it goes a LONG way to establishing in my mind that Hyperion actually CARES about using his powers for the betterment of the world. It's strange, but a senseless act of murder of a helpless man actually helps reinforce his humanity in this book. I swear, but this seems like the first time that Hyperion actually seems to think for himself in trying to make the world a better place.

Nighthawk's decision to involve himself in trying to resolve the situation in Darfur is another case where he's becoming the conscience of the team. For a character that seemed fairly one note in his quest for revenge (a anti-white supremacy vigilante didn't really jibe with the government nature of the team), his role is excellent throughout the entire book.

This may be the one Supreme Power that I'm glad that I picked up.

8/10

 

[Brainiac 8]

could this not have gone in the current bought/thought thread?