By day, Kyle Richmond is a congressperson. By night, he becomes the “hero” known as Nighthawk. Find out his story in Heroes Reborn #5 by Marvel Comics!

Heroes Reborn #5 Review — **You can purchase this issue via the comiXology affiliate link**

HEROES REBORN #5 (OF 7)

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Ed McGuinness, Mark Morales, and R.M. Guera
Colorist: Giulia Brusco and Matthew Wilson
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 2nd, 2021

Previously in Heroes Reborn: The world is turned upside down when something altered reality. In this world, the Avengers never formed and the main hero team is the Squadron Supreme of America. Luckily Blade is around to try and remedy this new reality but until then, we take a look at Nighthawk!

FIGHTING THE INSANITY

Kyle Richmond is the representative to Washington DC and is an advocate to helping people with mental illness. An odd stance considering he scoffs at people who suggests he takes therapy. As the hero Nighthawk, he specializes in taking down the clinically insane villains and bringing them to Ravencroft Asylum. This night, there is trouble there and many of the patients have rebelled. Nighthawk runs in and begins to brutally beat the “insanity” out of the patients. He then sees Norman Osborn, who has taken so much of the Green Goblin serum that he has begun to mutate, holding Gwen Stacy hostage. Gwen Stacy is Nightbird or Night-Gwen and has been trained by Nighthawk to be his sidekick. Luckily, Nighthawk is able to rescue Gwen and defeat Norman Osborn by breaking his bones.

Meanwhile, Blade, Captain America, and Echo has managed to rescue the Silver Witch out of Ravencroft.

VICIOUS

Heroes Reborn shows us each Squadron Supreme. As the miniseries progresses, the heroes seem darker and more disturbed. This issue struck me poorly because of Nighthawk’s perspective on mental illness. Which is supposed to be my response right? To hate this hero so I can encourage Blade and friends to return the status quo. The art took a grimmer tone as well. It showed more blood and distorted creatures that adds to the insanity of the protagonist and the villains that he is beating up. This left me unsettled as I continue through this series but I’m still curious to see how everything resolves.

It seems that Nighthawk has taken over a lot of Spider-man’s storyline. Most of his rogues gallery is Spider-Man villains and he even dated Black Cat and had the symbiote suit. Which feels a little out of character to see the brooding Nighthawk make his villains worse than Spider-Man who ultimately tries and bring out the best in people. Interesting and engaging choices by the creative team.

BOTTOM LINE: SOLID SERIES IN THE ISSUE

I like Heroes Reborn overall, but I felt uncomfortable with the topic matter. I still think this is a solid issue and a good pickup and the whole premise of Heroes Reborn is engaging. 4 out of 5 for me and I am waiting patiently for the next issue.

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