This is a high tech military title, and the last to be reviewed that seems to be mandated to diversify the line.
General Information
Title: Blackhawks #1
Author: Mike Costa
Illustrator(s): Graham Nolan (layouts), Ken Lashley (finisher and cover) and Guy Major (colours)
Cover Date: November 2011
Cover Price: $2.99
Buy the digital edition.
Premise
A group of U.N. covert operatives called the Blackhawks are out in force, and are trying to stay hidden. They’ve got other problems than high tech terror, though.
High Point
The quick and clear characterization.
Low Point
I almost picked the point where a character reacts to being bitten several panels before the artist actually draws her getting bitten, but I’ve got to go with this instead: if photos of your covert teams’ emblem appearing on the Internet is really such a huge problem for you, then why do you have an emblem painted on every person and vehicle in your organization in the first place? Using that as the team’s first “big problem” just makes your “team” look like idiots.
The Scores
This has some originality in terms of filling a unique role in the line, but the tone feels a lot like the 1990s run on “Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.” to me. I give it 4 out of 6.
The artwork is smooth and clear, with effective levels of detail. Unfortunately, there are multiple points where there appears to be poor communication between writer and artist, such as when a character says “Sorta busy here, Chief. I — AOW! You’re a biter?! Come on, man!” two pull panels before the guy bites her, at which point she doesn’t react. I give it 4 out of 6.
The story has potential, but with two gaping problems in the plotting in this first issue, this S.H.I.E.L.D. addicted reader has very little hope for the long term future. I give it 3 out of 6.
The characterization is the strongest element in the title. This is an interesting bunch, and we get to know them very quickly. I give it 6 out of 6.
The emotional response oscillates dramatically. There are some moments that really deliver, and then there are the jarring and massive problems in the middle that turn me off immediately. I give it 4 out of 6.
The flow has the same problem as the emotional response. What should be a fast paced title derails itself with inconsistency and stupidity. If you want to reboot the title with the classic insignia, you either don’t make them a secret team, or you keep the insignia inside their secret base only. You don’t take a team meant to be elite and secret and then give them a logo to paint on all of their stuff. I give it 4 out of 6.
Overall, this is a title that stumbled out of the gate. I’m particularly frustrated, as I’ve been craving something Nick Fury-esque since Secret Warriors ended, but this just failed to live up to its own expectations, let alone mine. I give it 3 out of 6.
In total, Blackhawks #1 receives 28 out of 42.
The New 52
Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:
- Action Comics
- All-Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Batwing
- Batwoman
- Birds of Prey
- Blackhawks
- Blue Beetle
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- DC Universe Presents
- Deathstroke
- Demon Knights
- Detective Comics
- The Flash
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
- The Fury of Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Green Lantern
- Green Lantern Corps
- Green Lantern: New Guardians
- Grifter
- Hawk and Dove
- I, Vampire
- Justice League
- Justice League Dark
- Justice League International
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Men of War
- Mister Terrific
- Nightwing
- O.M.A.C.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws
- Red Lanterns
- Resurrection Man
- The Savage Hawkman
- Static Shock
- Stormwatch
- Suicide Squad
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans
- Voodoo
- Wonder Woman